Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-07-13
VERMONT PHOENIX.
,rar1snEp EVERY FRIDAY MORNING, BY
VIM. e. RYTHER.
From the Lady's Book.
xlNCY's HILL g. NANCY's BROOK.

al
,v's Brook, are invariably pointed out
ihey may be seen about six miles south Of
the Wiley House, so well known as the
sDot where whole family were swept away
by an avalanche in 1926. Amid the sub
lime and appalling grandeur Of the scenery
of,his romantic region, the subjects of our
me would be passed by unnotced, did they
moi derive painful interest from the lragi.
cal event to which they owe their name.
During u residence ofseveral weeks, some
three wears since, among the White Hills,
had the opportunity OF gathering many bro
ken and scattered fragments of poor Nan
ry's story These served, however to en-
rite curiosity, rather than to crafty it, and
resolved, if possible 10 get my story com
pIeted.
Few that have stayed any time among
lhe White Hills are ignorant OF the fame OF
Granny Stalbid 10 this ancient oracle
Ofthe mountains, as she was Justly consider
ed, was directed, and her | determined TO
seek to satisfy my curiosity. A ride of eev-
en- miles over the mountain, of clear frosty
day, among scenery the most imposing and
exciting that can be imagined, forms itself, a
briph, SPOT in memory's pages; but to have
the privilege of holding converse with the
wisdom that has been gathering in stores
for nearly century, is pleasure that can
never be forgotten.
The SHOWS of nearly sixty winters had
come and gone since Granny Stabird first
became resident of the then unpopulated
wilderness. The accumulated weight oil
nearly hundred years had blanched her
4 Ill. e. ~.,l, Il.
but had left their faculties unimpaired, and ii
was surprising TO hear the mnuteness OF her
descriptions. | felt, as listened TO her tale
Ofoher days, as ifcarried back, in "propria
PERSONA" TO the times, when for more than
ayear except herself, not white female
was seen where she dwelt; when the red
man. though driven father back, was fire.
ouenlly their inohensive but i'll dreaded visi
lei.
The garrulity OF age made my task an ca
wone. If was willing TO listen, she was
ready 10 tell, and she soon joined my frag
enistogc,her, and completes the sad legenc
ufNaucy's Hill and Naucy's Brook.
Some sixty years since, gentleman o.
Portsmouth, obtained grant of land, lying
among these mountains. 1t is now calico
Jefferson and forms part of the beautiful val
ley, which, though susceptible Of cultivation
had never resounded TO the blows ofihe lev
cling axe 1t had been the hunting grounc
Cithe Indians, and lay in undsturbed pos
SESSION of the animals they had chased
Access to it was difficult, except by making
long circuit through the valley of the Con
neclcut, it could be approached only by
A. e ,b., Whit. Mounto in
Here the hills approached so near each 9th
er, that the bed OF the Saco alone divlde'
them TO follow its rocky channel was i'm
possible; and when we reached the spoI,th
traveller had no alternative but to retrace hi
steps, or to dsmount from his horse, (if h
happened to have one,) relieve him from hi
saddle, and then assist him to Chamber owe
apart of the mountains, little less elevate,
than the rest From this, some idea may b
formed of the difficulty of an undertaking
which had for its object, the settlement c
this district.
By the conditions ofths grant, roads wer
10 be opened in the forest land cleared,
mill, that indispensable requisite to a ne,
country, was 10 be built, in short, such step
10 be taken as would induce settlers to cult
Vale the adjoining land.
To effect these objects, simulated by tn
hOde of gain, or perhaps more patriot
motive, Col Whpple. 10 whom the grar
bad been made, commenced operations b
clearing land and building log house 70
The accommodation of his workmen.
The present town OF Lancaster, dlstanc
about i miles from Col. Whipple's fari
was lhen village. Among its inhabltant
he soughta female TO take charge OF the d'
nestle affairs He engaged the services
ayoung woman, though poor, honest an
respectable. She entered into the duties {
her situation, performing all the various an
aborlous offices OF housekeeper and sole d.
nestle TO numerous family, with true yal
kee perseverance and industry. Her labor
were soon enlightened, however, by the a
enllons Of apparent affection.
In his annual visit to the farm, the Color
el had brought with him, his personal wal
er In this easy situation Swindell ioun
ample opportunity TO effect his heartless pu
pose. Was Nancy up before the sun to b
gln the labors OF the day, he was at her sid
Was fuel needed. he was there TO bring
water came from the spring without her Oh
Ding and by thousand such little service
and attentions he made himself so agTeeab
The unsuspecling girl, that he had no d
nncuy in gaining her ear for tale oil love,
snless herself, how could she imagine o
cet in others2 What could prompt his
lions but love, and if he loved her, was 81
not happy2 Poor girl, she had veto iea'
mat man can take pleasure in coIque'
Without other motive than that which Halle
us pride by making him conquerer,