The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-12-21

flew back 10 her chamber, and in a few min
utes returned externally metamorphosed Tito
quaint matronly damsel, who looked as
though she might have been contemporary
ofthe patriarchs.
'It is too badl' exclaimed Aunt Lydia,
compassionately, as Madeline stood before
her, peeping roguishly from beneath her
close green hood; but never mind-lt will
save you from impertinent curiosity, and you
will, besides, be just as comfortable. So
good speed TO you, and a pleasant walk.
Madeline was an accomplished walker
She had none of the languidness ola fashion,
able saunterer, butevery step was light, quick
and graceful. She walked, too, with the
elasticity of one who loved the exercise; and
the glow upon her cheek and the bright spar
kle IN her eye, were tokens of the physical
enjoyment she derived from it. After ram.
bling about half mile on thus occasion, she
felt sufficiently warm and weary TO throw
herself upon a snow-bank for few minutes,
and drew from her pocket scrap of paper
and crayon, with which she proceeded to
sketch the outlines of a little scene before her.
1t was the village school-house-a small,
square, eam-colored tenement, overriding
by the naked branches of venerable elm
tree. A few boys,-sad truants they we're
loitered near the door, and added grace to
the simple picture. They stood watching
her till her sketch was finished, wondering
what she could be doing with pencil and pa
per and seated, too, upon that crusted snow
bank. When she arose to pursue her walk,
one little fellow mustered courage to APP
proach her, his hands stuffed in his pockets,
anil his mouth open with curiosity.
Say, ma'am,' said he as he met her en-
couraging smile, shave you been maxim a
picter !?
yes. DEAR
sYou ha'nt tho have ye? Did you put me
imp
Yes
'And Jim, too' and Frank and all on us"
yes, ALL
ooh Jimmy Won't you let US see it, tho"
Yes, if you wish
They crowded around her as she drew the
paper from her pocket, and displayed to
them hasty, but very accurate sketch of
the old school-house, the great tree, and the
group of truant boys. Pleasure and pride
glistened in their eyes as they bore testimo-
ny to the correctness of the picture. By
Jimmy, though, if that ant the very old
tree. boys,' said the first speaker Look /!
there's the self.same identicle branch there
that Tom spindle shanks broke swinging on
it-and she's got it broke in the picter !
Who'd have s'posed she would have thought
O. that And the boys too! See she's
got Jim's duck legs there, true aslite-and
Frank broken-cr hat-and-and--
Your chubby face, Phil shouted two
or three at once, glad to thow back the
laugh upon the one who had raised il a
gainst themselves.
80 how wish you could put our little
schoolmaster in,' exclaimed Phil; Look I!
there he stands now, close up to the window,
Miss Can't you draw him 2
Madeline bIushed little at finding her
self an object of attention to the young ped
agooue, and dismissing her juvenile ADM.
rers as gently as possible. she commenced
her walk homeward. She had proceeded
less than a rod when pat, pat, pat came
some one behind her, and presently Pills
hand gently grasped her cloak cape
: w ont you give me that picterP he said,
in half bashful, half coaxing voice /; Do,
cause want to do somethin' with it.
hat will you do with it :?
'Oh I'll tell, after you give it to me.
But can draw you much prettier one
than this, on some nice thick paper too, IT
you will give me time. Blu; first you must
tell me what use you are going to make OF
it,
Il shall fix it up against the wall, over
the masters desk-'cause | know he'll think
it's cute-and then he'll be in such flus-
ter to know how il could come there How
| will make him guess-Jiminy, if don't !!
So you'll make me one, will you? hope
YOU will have it done soon. cause can
come after it any time,--only don't know
where YOU live,' he added hesitatingy.
you will find me at Mr.. lothian Bir-
news; and if you will call before school
time in the morning, you shall have the
picture, provided YOU will promise moi to tell
any one-at least, not tell your master who
drew it for you
Phil readily gave the promise, and as
Madeline again turned TO resume her walk.
she saw that the schoolmaster was still
watching her from the window.
On the afternoon of this day, Madeline
laid aside the book with which she had &C.
cupied herself during the hours which her
Aunt was obliged to spend IN the Kitchen
and taking her portfolio from the centre
table, (for Madeline had converted her
Aunt's old.fashioned, round, three-legged
tea.table into receptacle for books, papers
and needIe-work) she sat down on an otto
man at Aunt Lydia's feet, and arranged her
Bristol board for her afternoons employ
ment.
Here is the result of nay morning walk,
Aunt LYDIA she said, holding up to her
view the little sketch, do you recognize
the scene?'
ooh yes-there is no installing 1t. The
school. house, and old elm are as natural as
the reality. should think you had got !
little Phil Roby there amongst the boys
tho l suppose you don't know their na,aes.
yes do-there was Phil amongst them /
remember, for he came up and addressed
me with true Yankee familiarity She
then playfully related the substance OF her
interview with the boys, not forgetting TO
mention the circumstance of the young
-.,.;n., n har throilph the window,