Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1841-03-30

. hHh' anu ilt men gathering dud convey ing &c
the teams, stationed Ut different points Of the
field for tie purpose. that part Of the ftu
which was destined for the ordinary uses 81
The society. The almost exact uniformity IN
the fashion and color OF their dresses produc
cd singular samcncss IN the appearance OF
them al but this was more particularly the
case WIN the females whose neat prlm dress.
e. Of ne'cr-,ariing slate color, white linen
kcfchicis and snowy caps, surmountcd by their
lo", PLAN bonncts, from which peercd their
ihn, pale Nlsagcs, oil seemingly marked with
the same dcmurc, doHncast and ablcct OK.
preston, might have disposed an ordinary
spectator, rs they were moving about the field
as silent and gcsturclcss as a band of automa-
tons, 10 look upon them with sensations much
resembling those we experience in bcholdng
flock Of wild-fowls, where an inspection of
ono Is an inspection Of the whole. A closer
observer, however, in examining the faces and
figures Of each, would have discovered that
here, as well as elsewhere, Nature had not for
gotten TO be partial IN the distribution of her
iators, and that here, as well as elsewhere,
were those on whom the gift of personal beau
~ had not been so altogether charity bcstow-
cd ; and among the latter class there was par
ticularly one whose rounded symetrical per
son, fair and blooming face, and intelligent
and sweclly expressive countenance, all strik-
mgIy contrasted with the dropping forms
plain features and passive, unmcanirg looks of
most OF her unattrdctiyc companions.
Just as the last rays of the sinking sun were
fading from the lofty summit of the distant
kcarsarge the word was passed for the PEG.
pie TO leave work and return to their houses.
As the company were promiscuousy though
oh
retiring from the field, one of the men, dark
eyed, compactly built young fellow of about
twenty one, bearing large basket of apples
upon his shoulder. contrivcd to cross the path
OF the young Quakercss just described While
doing thus, and when directly before her at a
few yards distance, he made seemingly ac-
cldental misstep, which suddenly brought his
basket TO the ground, and sent its contents
rolling over the grass around, till they met the
feet Of the approaching maiden, who instantly
paused and smiled at the little mishap which
had thus oddly interrupted her in her course.
The young man Immediately threw himself
upon his knees among the scattered fruit. as if
intent only on gathering it up but. while his
hands were busly employed for that purpose,
his eyes turned with quick, eager look upon
the face the girl
AT the elm tree, Martha, he said, in low,
hurried tone meet me at the elm tree. at the
lower end OF the orchard Immediately after
worship
It's ngorous-dangerous Seth . replied
the maiden, slightly coloring, and casting an
uneasy glance around her.
Now do beseeeh thee, MARTHA he per-
sisted lmploringly; Il have matters of mo-
mcnt TO lmpart to thee, and it may be the last
ume-yea, ii will be, if thee refuse me now.
Wll thou not come, then =
Perhaps, answered the girl, after a hesitat-
ing pause, IN which she threw look of inqui-
ry and concern upon the youth, but seemed
TO suppress the question which rose TO her lips
- perhaps II can get from the buildings
unnoticed. But thee need not have spilled
ny apples Tor so poor a purpose, Seth
90 saying she hastily turned away, and with
quckened steps pursued her course after her
retreatng companions, while the other now
proceeded IN earnest to pick up his scattered
apples Tins beng completed he was about
TO rise, when, looking around him, he encoun-
'ered The gaze OF man peerlng at him from
under the ow-hangng branches of neigh,
boring apple>tree. A glance sulliced to APP
PRISE The young man of the character and OBJ
Jec' OF the lnterloper; for in the thick dumpy
inquire, llttle hooked nose, whitIsh, gloating
eyes and Ill-omened countenancc ofihe man.
he AT once recognized one Of the leaders of
the society, and the one of all others whose
notice at this Juncture he would have been
most anxious to avoid
Well, make the most Of il, thou vile seek
or OF accusations, Indignantly muttcred the
young man between his teeth, as, with look
OF defiance, he shouldcrcd his basket end pro.
ceeded homeward followed at short distance
10y the object Of his aversion, who did not seem
inclined 10 make any immediate use Of such
discoveries as he might have made with his
eyes, for the distance prccluded the possible
~ of his hearing word that had been utter
cd.
But before proceeding any further with our
story, II may now be as well, perhaps, to speak
a little more particularly of the different char
aciers we have introduced, and advert IN sucb
circumstances Of previous occurrence as NAV
be necessary for fall understanding of The
situation IN which they relatively stood low
ards each other at the time chosen for their
introduction.
Seth Gilmore had been an orphan almost
from has childhood. At the death Of his las,