Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-02-15
From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine.
THE ONYX rim G..
CHAPTER 4.

CHAPTER 4.
Early on Sunday morning, James opened ms
owes in the old farm house. dressed l'mseIi nasi'y,
md went 10 look after the different little matters in
,be stable and the farm yard, which, even on Sun
day, must be attended to. lie then returned TO Tue
bo,,re TO make himself smart, which he succeeded
in nv dn fclean linen u new blue coat with large
g, buttons. a white handkerchief round his neck,
1ellow waistcoat and drab garment below ,erml-
mating in top.boots. lie certainly looked very
well and while he gazed into the lIllle twisted
looking glass. he even ventuted 10 think so, but
somehow he feared not well enough TO please Ann.
She, too, after helping TO prepare the breakfast,
had nut on her best clothes. Her long da hair,
indeed was almost hidden under cap, but still
formed a glossy shade around her forehead. Inc
face il crowned was winning IA bright health,
and brighter spirits, high complexion, aud pretty
features, could make it. Nor did her figure look
less graceful in the white cotton gown, with little
blue flowers all over il, which James had given her,
and which she had TIED with blue sash. The
white stockings and neat shoes set off the smalness
of her feet and showed that her hands, but for
life of Iabour. would not have been less delicate.
When at work, she often sang haltnward'y some
verse of gay or sad song, and still went earnestly
about her task bu, when resting, or at meals, and
especially when James was with her, her face was
in perpetual play Of bushes, and downcast looks,
and hearty laughter; and eyes, and teeth, and
=
come imp ofheedess merrimenl. SO was 1t this
morning. As soon as breakfast was over, she put
on her bright straw bonnet, with lis blue ribbon,
and James his new hat, and the father his with lis
brim at least six inches broad and leaving the
mother at home TO take care of the house, the three
set out TO walk through the fields TO church. The
old man often fingered or turned step aside, or
stoned 10 speak TO some OF the neighbours, and
Am and James could a,k almost rs freely as If
,hey had been in a wilderness The church was
more than usually crowded with people come TO
hear a new organ played, which had been presented
by the kind.hearted squire, for II was not Sir
Charles llarcourl's parish but Mr. Musgrave, the
curate, preached a sermon, in which he laid bare
10 the asion>hed cuIprts the erroneonsncss OF the
motives that led them 10 attend public worship
only when some strange novelty attracted them.
But the Wilson's were unwrung, and enjoyed both
the organ and the sermon, except that Ann was
sorry for the poor people that had acted so oolishy,
and were now so severely reprimanded. The old
man pronounced the sermon right good one, and
said hat their parson was the best man N that
country, only now and then little too sharp upon
peoples faults In the afternoon, Ann s'aid at
home, and the other three went to the service. 10
the evening the mother undertook to milk the cows,
and The father TO attend 10 all other matters, whl'e
Ann and James went ont to walk.
They srolled arm in arm, saying little TO each
o,her along the deep and warm lanes oversrown
with grass, and inclosed between high banks and
bushy hedges. The nightingale was still heard IN
the distance. The wild rose and the honeysuck'e
climbed on either hand, and were interviewer with
the flowers Of the bird. weed and the nish'shade
The perfume hom The whe and purple clover lie
filed al the air. Now and then James caught AT d
wild flower, and gave it to Ann. who took it. anc
only said in a low voice "Thank you." And still
they wandered on. till they turned through a gar
into the thick dark copse They passed forward
through the green shadows, broken here and there
by some struggling beam Of yellow light till the
reached point on the banks above little stream
plahcng away under It's screen of hazel and alder
Here they found The broad grey table left in culti"
down an enormous ohk.lree. On this Ann seate
herself, and James sat beside her. He poked til
ground | efore him with his si'k. She settle! he
nosegay, aud stuck it in her breast. At last h
said, "Ann, have something mehng-some
thing 10 say to you"
"Well-well- well-James, what is it?'
alt is a very fine evening"
Ann drew long sigh, as if relieved from gre'
fright, and answered, eyes, it is, very fne."
''Our hay is very well saved this year, AMMAN
it is very pIeasan, TO be here with you'll mean,
like us to be together"
$50 do l."
"Ann, will you marry me ~
A long pause followed, and then low eyes,
and she hung down her head. Their happiness nee
not be described. But marble balconies, or silkf
pavilinns, never witnessed londer kiss than tn
in which their lips united, as they sat upon The o
oak. stump.
When they returned by moonlight 10 the farr
house, AIMS manner wasmuCh altered. She we
silently through the kitchen, where the old coup
sat, to her own room, and James, too who renal
ed with his parents, held his tongue for II few mi
ules. Then he burst into loud laugh, and jump
up and told his story, and Rugged his mother IN II
III Il. t,,t,n nJ oonlI ~
finish sentence ill he ended in fit Of Tears, viii
changed again to laughter
That night their supper was peaceful and joyo,
rs If il had been meal in Paradise before the f
Of Man.
CHAPTER xI
The next day, at Brentwood farm, W
strangely in contTas. with this Sund
evening. A letter came in the morning
Mr.. Wilson written in the name of his lo
daughter for she was herself too III
write. entreating his forgiveness, al
telling of the loss Of her husband and chill
Their hearts were divided between Joy
hearing Of her, and grief at the thought
her sufferings. 1t was Immediately dett
mined hat James should 60 to London a
see her, and, if possible, remove her
Brentwood.
He set out that afternoon. He wro
from London to his father, giving an 9
count of his sisters state, and announci
sha, he would return with her at once
Brentwood. Ann also received by
same post, letter from him, which "
the longest and most elaborate composite
he had ever attempted, or she had e'
seen. The greater portion of it ran
follows:-
Dear Ann, cannot be so long a~
without writing to you. reached L'
don at noon on Tuesday, and in the cou
of that day, found out poor Elizabeth
But as I have written all about her TO
Their, shall not say the same things o
again to you. was advised 10 take
IL L.. l. G.