Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-03-01
VERMONT PHOENYx
funLIsHED EVERY FRIDAY moRNrNo,py
wM. E. RyTHER.
3 1.-THE UNTIMELY JEST.
A COTTAGE "REMINISCENCES.
ny MRS. EMMA c. EMBuRy.

mafcr that ever attempted 10 restrain the
wild sallies Of youth. Fifty years ago Prm.
ceton was as much distinguished for its bellies
as Tor lts rebels, The students we're not
forbidden a proper degree of intimacy with
The young femalrs Of the neighboring fami.
lies. many mad prank which ended
IN the discontinue Of the grave professors OF
the college originated in the merry malice OF
these fair daughters of Eve was at that
time at the head OF the senior class A
laughing eye, light heart, great passion
for fun, were my sole recommendations TO
The ladies but | soon found these sufficient.
AL all the teapartes, quilting frolics, apple
Peelings. &c, my presence was deemed in
dispensible; and as nirted with all with.
out making love to any, soon became a
universal favorte BY the way, let me re-.
commend such course TO all young gen
tlemen who wish to shine in the light of fe-
male favor. A particular pariialty for one
implies degree OF nferiorty in the other
members Of the coterie; but when each can
claim portion OF attention. all are fat,ered
and all gratiied This piece of information
issonewhat too valuable TO be given gratu-
itopsly- however, let ii pass
How thappentd that such a giddy and
volatile fellow as myself should ever have
become the friend OF the serious and intelec.
tual Mordaun. Ormsby. [ could never exact
ly understand. He had been pupil in the
college and after completing the prescribed
course Of study, had entered the theological
seminary will intention Of devoting himself
to the gospel ministry. For this vocation
ne seemed peculiarly fitted, both by nature
and education. His expressive countenance,
his soft dark eyes, his cheerful yet digniied
manners, and above all his voice, low, rich
and clear MS the tones Of a flute, all seemed
to mark him out as one worthy to be an a.
postle of the cross. There was one peculi.
arity in his character, which may perhaps
explain the mystery Of his regard for me-
This was an extreme timidity, amounting
almost TO nervousness. He had a morbid
fear Of rldicule, which frequently exposed
HIM 10 the very evil he sought to avoid, and
probably il was the frank and fearless conf
dence of my manners which first attracted
him towards me and afterwards rendered
me q necessary support 10 him.
Every body wondered at Mordaunfs
choice Of mistress When il was first
known that he was the accepted lover oil Ce.
ella Davenant, the quantity OF gossip which
issued from the rosy lips of the Princeton
bellies was absolutely terrifying. To be
sure Cecilia was pretty and good natured,
but then she hated the very sight Of a book
she was as tickle as the wind, and so fond
Of frolic, that she would rather lose friend
than spoil joke
Such were the remarks most volubly pour
ed into onr ears by the fair scandalizers, q
beg pardon, but we all know that ladies' are
always scandalizers in moderate scay)-
Cecilia Davenant was certainly the lovelest
little romp that ever wicbed away the sober
senses of man. rec0llect perfectly well
sthe circumsa lces under which Mordaunt g.
Emystlf Fl st behrld her. We had long been
intimate in the family OF MIR Wilson and had
heard his daughter, the gentle
Mary, speak of her cousin the rich Carroll.
MA heiress At length we were told she
twas coming to spend some time in Prince
ZION, andthe bellies were all in fearful antici-
patton of formidable rival. Late one after,
moon as Mordaunl and myself were saunter
bog along the path which led TO Mr. Wilson's
house, we heard in an adjacent field loud
bursts oflaughler, occasionally interrupted
by the barking OF dog, and the merry
cries of a child. Though the field was con-
cealed from the road by thick hedge, we
Succeeded in finding an opening after some
difficulty, and beheId singular and anus
ing spectacle. Seated on the grass was
beautiful child, whom we instantly recogniz-
ed TO be Mr. Wilson's youngest boy and be-
side him young female, busly employed in
Informing a large Newfoundland dog with a
straw hat and rich scarf OF which she had
evidently just despoiled her own pretty per-
son. When she had finished she started up.
and running severaltimes round the field
with a swiltness which completely bafiled
thepursuit oflhe dog, encountered as he was
with his outward trappings, threw herself on
the grass and lying her head on the child's
lap and INDUCED in an immoderaie fit of
beauty as she then displayed. The perfect
symmetry OF her form, as she lay extended
on the grass, with her little feet carelessly
folded over each other, the bright eye and
flushed cheek ofwhch we obtained casual
gimpses as the wind lifted her clustering
curls. were exquisitely lovely. When a few
hours after we were introduced by Mary
Wilson to my cousin, Miss Davenant' we
had no difficulty in recognizing the pretty
rotnp. notwithstanding the smoothly combed
locks and demure countenance which she
exhibited
4 never could see the use of making a
long story out Of short one. We all
knowwhat stupid people lovers are, TO all
uteach other, | mean) and the manner in
which love affairs are conducted has lWav VS.