Uncle Titus and His Visit to the Country | Page 9

of society
there, and that was all he knew about it. But this was satisfactory so far,
and Aunt Ninette decided at once to write to the clergyman at
Tannenburg for farther particulars. Solitude and quiet! this was just
what Uncle Titus needed.
This second letter brought an immediate answer which confirmed her
hopes. "Tannenburg is a small place, with scattered houses," wrote the
clergyman. "There is just such a dwelling as you describe, now ready
for lodgers. It is occupied by the widow of the school-teacher, an
elderly and very worthy woman, who has two good-sized rooms and a
little bed-room which she will be glad to let." And the widow's address
was added, in case Mrs. Ehrenreich should wish farther information.
Mrs. Ehrenreich wrote immediately, setting forth her wishes at full
length and in great detail. She expressed her satisfaction that the houses
in Tannenburg were so far apart, and she hoped that the one in question
was not situated in such a way as to be undesirable for the residence of
an invalid. She wished to make sure that there was in the vicinity no
smithy, no locksmith, no stables, no stone-breaker's yard, no
slaughter-house nor mill, no school, and particularly no waterfall.

The answer from the widow, very prettily expressed, contained the
agreeable assurance, that not one of these dreaded nuisances was to be
found in her neighborhood. The school and the mill were so far away
that not a sound could reach her dwelling from either, and there was no
waterfall in that part of the country. Also there was not a house to be
seen far or near, except the large residence of Mr. Birkenfeld, standing
surrounded by beautiful gardens, fields and meadows. The Birkenfelds
were the most respected family in the neighborhood. He was a member
of every committee, and was a most benevolent man, and his wife was
full of good works. The widow added that she herself owed a great deal
to the kindness of this family, particularly with regard to her little
house which was their property, and which Mr. Birkenfeld had allowed
her to occupy ever since her husband's death. He had proved to be the
kindest of landlords.
After a letter like this there was no need for farther delay; everything
had been provided for. Dora now heard for the first time that she was to
go with them, and with a light heart and a willing hand, she packed the
heavy materials for six large shirts, which she was to make while they
were in Switzerland. The prospect of sewing on the shirts in a new
place, and with different surroundings, excited her so much that she
looked on it all as a holiday. At last all was ready. The trunks and
chests were carried down to the street door, and the servant-girl was
sent out for a cabman with a hand-cart, to take them away.
Dora had been ready for a long time, and stood at the head of the stairs
with beating heart filled with expectations of all the new things that she
was to see for the next six weeks. The idea of this coming freedom
almost overcame her with its bewildering delight, after all those long,
long days in the seamstress' little, stifling room.
At last her uncle and aunt came from their room laden with
innumerable umbrellas and parasols, baskets and bundles, got down
stairs with some difficulty, and mounted the carriage that was waiting
below. And they were fairly off for the country,--and quiet.
CHAPTER III.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HEDGE.
Mr. Birkenfeld's large house was situated on the summit of a green hill
with a lovely view across a lake to a richly-wooded valley beyond.
From early spring to the end of autumn, flowers of every hue glistened
and glowed in the bright sunshine that seemed always to lie on those
lovely meadows. Near the house was the stable, in which stamped four
spirited horses, and there, also, many shining cows stood at their cribs,
peacefully chewing the fragrant grass with which they were
well-supplied by the careful Battiste, an old servant who had served the
family for many years. When Hans, the stable-boy, and all the other
servants were away, busy on the estate, it was Battiste's habit to walk
round from time to time through the stalls, to make sure that all was as
it should be. For he knew all about the right management of horses and
cattle, having been in the service of Mr. Birkenfeld's father when he
was a mere lad. Now that he was well on in years, he had been
advanced to the position of house-servant, but he still had an eye upon
the stable and over the whole farm. The mows were