TWO years went by and Renestine had been the bride of Jaffray Starr
three months. Grown into womanhood, she was radiant; happy in her love
and secure in the faith of her choice, she went forth from her sister's
home full of hope and cheer. Renestine had had many suitors, had had
much admiration. She could have become the wife of a young adoring
banker; she had refused to listen to the suit of men of more substance
than her husband; but because of the quiet manliness of Jaffray Starr,
because of his keen intellect, because of his nobility of heart and
generous nature, she gave her heart into his keeping, sure that she had
made no mistake, and set out with him to share his fortune, whatever it
would bring. They had been married and left at once for Jaffray's home
at Jefferson, where he had a position in the County Clerk's office. Now
they were settled and housekeeping. But it was a long, rough journey
they had made from Houston to Jefferson. The railroads had not been
built in that section of the country and travel was done by horse teams
and in covered wagons. Two good colored servants accompanied them; old
Josiah, who drove and took care of the rough work, and his wife;
Caroline, to look after the "Missus" and do the cooking. Bringing out
kettles and pans tucked away in the wagon, Josiah would build a
brushwood fire and Caroline would cook the meals, rations for two weeks
having been provided. When it was time to stop for a meal or to rest
the horses, Josiah would be on the watch for a clear spring of water
along the roadside, would draw up by the side of it and begin
preparations for camping. It was not as much of a hardship as Pullman
travelers would conclude. The wagons were fitted with springs which
gave easily over rough roads and even had a fascination and romance,
and in the cool of the evening when a stretch of smooth road lay before
them it was delicious to feel the soft air blowing into their faces and
to experience the exhilaration of the rapid motion of the wagon. There
were also arrangements for comfortable beds.
Word had gone ahead that Jaffray was bringing home a bride and
the people were alert to give her welcome. Jaffray never realized how
much he was thought of until he came back a Benedict. Homes were
thrown open to him and his young wife with offers to remain as long as
they would, and all .kinds of propositions made for their comfort and
welfare.
"No, thank you, John or Tom or Buck," he would reply, kindly
but firmly. "We shall go to the hotel until we can arrange a home. I
have already rented a house and it won't take us long to get settled."
Nor did it. In a few weeks Jaffray and Renestine were
occupying a small house, not far from the river that skirted the town,
with Josiah and Caroline in charge.
"I do not see how anything can be prettier," said Renestine one
day after they had been in their home about a week. She had just
finished looping the pretty Swiss curtains at the windows of their
living room. "I really do not," she continued, stepping back, her
finger tips together, her head quizzically on one side. "Nothing can
be sweeter or prettier than our home. Jaffray, have you noticed how
dainty the chintz furniture is and how well it goes with the walls? I
think I deserve commendation for that wall paper, Jaffray."
"Indeed, you do, my darling," returned Jaffray, pulling
solemnly at his pipe and looking half amused, half serious, at his
young wife. "Are you quite sure the pattern is large enough?" he said,
laughing.
"Oh, you ungrateful man, you are making fun of me, I do
believe. Come into the dining-room and have dinner. Caroline is just
bringing it in."
Arm in arm, they stepped into a long, narrow room which went
the width of the house, only excepting a little room off the main
bedroom which was used for a dressing room.
The house consisted of a living room, a small hall and across
from the living room, the bedroom. Back of the little room was a
small porch and detached from the house, but connected by a covered
walk, was the kitchen. The dining-room was a foot below the two front
rooms, the kitchen joining it by the covered passage way. They could
never explain why the dining-room was so arranged, but concluded that
the owner had added it on at a later time. It was cosy and
comfortable and became attractive under the deft fingers of Renestine.
The little covered porch in front of the house was screened by running
vines from the gaze of the street.
"Now for my book shelf!" exclaimed Jaffray, after he had smoked
his afternoon pipe. "You must help me arrange them, Renestine. No
real home without books, little girl."
Josiah brought in the large drygoods box, which he opened, and
together Jaffray and Renestine took out the books, dusted them and
placed them on the shelves built in one side of the wall. Among them
were Byron,
Moore, Pope, History of the United States, Josephus, Irving's Life of
Washington. It was late when the last one had been put away, and they
were glad enough to rest in their rockers on the porch in the gloaming.