THE COTTAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12022, 27 December 1924, Page 15

THE COTTAGE

A SKETCH ({For the "N.Z. Times.") The wonderful happiness which had crowned the youthful couple—little more than a boy and girl —on their subsequent marriage, was commented on continuifow was it that- other couples, possessing wealth and fine houses, hosts of socalled friends, looked # so frequently bored and tired, when in each others company, when this youthful .pair, as the years went by, seemed to live in a radiant atmosphere in spite of possessing none of the thirds that seemed essential to the commonplace minds of their rich neighbours. , , Tile tiny cottage on the hillside above the sea, where Hove had not "flown out of the window/' looked hardly bigger than a wealthy neighbour's summerhouse, and was so hidden in roses and greenery as to be almost unnoticeabl© to occupants of the costly motors, who went for daily drives, sheltered from the healthful breezes, behind glass screens. But to the occupants the cottage was an ©arthly paradise— , Sine© Love within their hearts his home hath made, And turned to golden sunshine gloom and shade. The garden, so beloved by both husband and wife, had been planned, and tended by no stranger s hand; and at misty dawn, sunny noon, glowing sunset, or in the rapturous night, when (pale moonbeams gleamed on the faces of the upturned roses, its charm and its associations were a joy to both. They had experimented with many flowers till they got a perfect aspect for all their favourites, choosing as many old-fashioned varieties as possible, which seemed to suit the quaint stone cottage, built for bo many years, and which was now almost concealed by a wealth of climbing plants. Hound, the lattice windows—opened to the sun-^-rambler roses and yellow jessamine vied with each other in wafting fragrance within the dwelling. Where the song of the birds at the dawn of day, Will herald a vista fair. Of hours of joy 'midst growing things. Sweet blossom* and perfumes rare. Even in late autumn weather the garden never seemed denuded of blooms; cleverly arranged wind-screens, sheltered quite frail blossoms, which seemed to love to linger on, to give pleasure to tho gentle souls who cared them bo assiduously. All the flowers in that miniature paradise seemed to respond mysteriously and repay with their profusion of blossoms and lingering perfumes the loving ministrations of their owners. While youth and health were still theirs, everything possible within and without the dwelling: had been added and completed to minimise work in the years to come, when youthful energy might have somewhat abated. They often visualised these days in the sunset of their lives; thrift practised daily helping them to save for their declining years, would allay all fear of poverty, ahd enable them to continue to live in simple comfort in tho beloved cottage, where they had dwelt so long. Both had worked hard, early and late; and the privileged few who had visited the tiny home, were astonished at the artistic interior of this miniatur# dwelling place. Sketches and paintings, choice books, and rafe china, miniaturer, and curios, made the walls a wonder-place to the lover of artistic beauty. Simple fittings and furniture, wonderfully made by their clever hands, traneformed plain rooms into places of distinction.

The table at which they took their mealß was placed close to the window, in view of the brilliant flowers, which gave them both so much pleasure. In the burgeoning bushes thrushes sang their wonder-sotigs: the choicest orchestra in some palatial restaurant never gave bucli great, pleasure aa the songs of those feathered -'melodists that had made their homes within the swaying trees.

'Midst the sheltering leaves iq sun and rain* Their tune rang true and clear; And joy it brought, and wisdom taught, To the loved souls listening near.

These thrushes hopphd round the feet of their cottage friends, as the latter wandered arm in arm. when the day’s Work was over, adown the gravelled paths ■ of their restful garden. The secret of their happiness and contentment, which was so much envied by their wealthy neighbours, Was mainly due to the absolute trust in each other, which no adverse circumstances couid over shako. • Outsiders were not required to add interest or piquancy to their daily life —a life ary full of work and high ideals. Both Were artiste and responsive to the beauties of Nature, add all that was noble in music, literature, and art that lifted mankind above the sordid everyday pleasures, that seemed to satisfy the majority of their neighbours. All the money of the latter could not buy the intense enjoyment they experienced while reaching— ever upwards—to achieve success In some dearly-loV»d ennobling project. Their Celtic temperaments hod u’so much to do with their success. They bad spent some of their childhood’s days in that Emerald land, so fi ll of ocnlfadlctions, mystery, and fascination : drinking in with tho dew-drenched air, some of the romantic “atmosphere,’’ as well as an interest in the old folk-tales, myths, native music, and fairy lore. There still remained in their mind, visions of “fairy rings" on the shamrock sod, and the witching tales of fairy revels in tho moonlight, clothed the misty hillsides, for them, with an alluring fascination

Yes! They had not forgotten "Inniefail"—the land of Destiny—that has given to tho world, from time to time, so many great minds; famous writers and poets, clever artists and musicians, great generals and. statesmen, wonderfully brilliant surgeons, and orators, whpse witty sayings are world-famous. The political unrest, so frequently present, seemed, as in Poland, to be no deterrent in producing, in various walks of life, many whose interesting personalities wpuld help to brighten the lives of those in other lands, with whom they came in contact. The dwellers in the cottage also felt content at the thought, that no picture they had painted, no play or story that they had written, would ever have anything but an uplifting tendency. Their work might never bo known tut to a small section of the community: this did not matter; if, even a few were made to see the beauty of reaching up to higher things. In that Cottage garden many Ideas formed in the minds of the husband and wife, as they tended their sweet-smelling flowers. A return to a sampler life, by the majority of people, would bring about many changes for tli© better. when th© feverish quest for excitement in any form—so apparent in recent years—might have died down; when people realised the yoy -nd beauty of absorbing work—not only as a means of livelihood, but as a factor in building up health and character, and making contrasting leisure hours, hours of supreme happiness. Yes! the things of We that really rruiV© for happiness, cannot b© bought by B °ln that little cottage, with its garden sloping downwards to the sea, the two souls that had started out so young to fight the battle of life together, hed made this discovery in the early (lays of heir intense love—a love that had deepened and become more wonderful, as the years sped on, crowning their daily lives with a„ radiant splendour.

As the 6teadv march of Time jfoes on, the steps of husband nnd wife may,, j orchance, bo a trifle slower, and m uhe bright hair of both, the silver streaks glisten, but the affection, the absolute trust, tho undyjpg faith ia oaoli other has

never been more apparent.—not even in the early days of their youthful marriage —and envious neighbours still marvel as to the cause of the supreme happiness and peace in tie little cottage, where, as pf old : love guards the portal thro' the silent night, And no one enters in save thou and I; Down thro’ the lattice stars their vigils keep, And sapphire wavelets sing a lullaby! LAURA JEAN VICTORY.