The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-01
MIDDLEBURY VT. MARCH 1, 1s43.

| 1T is truly gratifying, Miss Berry, to find
a young lady turning from the inundation
of modern literature to make acquaintance
with poem like this!'
Lucretia silently bowed to his compliment
tary remark. Successfully Mr.. Parks took
up each little volume that lay on the table
for to Practical Piety' Miss. Berry had
very judiciously added 'Cowper's Task
and 'Fenelon's Rehections'-and when he
had looked at each he remarked
This is, indeed, a choicelittle selection =
and added, as he lightly touched the Bible
which still lay in the work>basket. that is
the crown of glory to all the rest!'
Miss Berry's heart throbbed with exuta-
ton at her success. This vas the first time,
frequent as the visits of Mr.. Parks had been,
that he had taken seat By the workable;
consequently her choice selection had hith-
erto remained unnoticed. She had not ex.
pected that it would much sooner come
under his observation, for his manner was
a little reserved, and very respectful. This
was cause of self,gratulation TO her, rath-
or than otherwise, as ia the intermediate
time she had prepared herself to talk Under
standingly of each work, thing which On
her first acquaintance with Mr.. Parks, she
could not possibly have done. She felt
that the success of her scheme was com,
plete.
Most of the time during his long and,
both to himself and Miss Berry, exceeding.
ly interesting call, they were alone but
Just before he took leave Diana came in
She was Just in season 10 learn that they
were taking of books, and such books, as
she had not been accustomed to hear her
sister speak of. The moment the visiter
was gone, she went to the work>table and
took up first one, and then another of the
| volumes, and then with laugh, full Of mea-
ming, asked ....-
How long since Lu., took you to reading
homiEes p
Il have not taken to reading homilies,
replied Lucretia.
Il suppose, then, you read these books at
the recommendation of MI. Parks. He Sc
lected them for you, heyl'
He had not that honor, answered Luz
crctia, the section is my own, and | read
them at the instigation Of no one--Miss
More's work excepted which you well know
was given me By Aunt Sumner just before
her DEATH
Diana fixed her ey es on her sister for a
minute and said
Il look on you with admiration, Lucretia
You do understand yourself to perfection,
and certainly are the pisest and discFeetssf,
if not the best of women!
What author are you quoting now ? ask.
ed Lucretia.
Author Pm sure don't know 1t is
part of something heard Willie Eaton say
one day, about some, woman, who the Wi
sest, discreetest. best, and he is the author
for aught know
If you have occasion TO quote it again.
said Lucretia, you had best credit it to
Milton instead of Mr.. Eaton
Il am happy to perceive that you profit
by your new course Of reading. said Diana,
and most hartily do wish you perfect
success in all your new studies
The acquaintance Of Mr.. Parks with Mrs
Berry and her daughters was almost border
ing on intimacy, when he one day asked
his landlady at whose shop he should be
most likely to find some trifing article o.
which he was in need. She directed hin
TO the store-ofa Mr.. Berry. where, she said
one could usually find that which could b.
obtained nowhere else. In the course o
the day he went to this shop as directed
and found it somewhat large and crowded
variety store. He saw no clerk. but wa
waited on by Mr.. Berry himself. There
was something in this gentleman's appear
ance that strongly awakened the sympathie'
of MIR. Parks. His person was good, ant
his face peculiarly amnble and intellectual
but he looked as if either worn out, or sick
and though his countenance was serene
any one, if at all obsevant, would quickly
have discovered that his brow was the sea
of care While looking at him, Mr. Park
could not but think that he was original,
: designed for somthing more elevated ant
more elevating than measuring off yards o
silk, or selling pocket. Th
sympathy awakened in his heart led him t.
the shop of Mr.. Berry whenever he ha'
purchases TO make.of such things as wer
likely to be there found; and at each sue
: cessive visit to the store, his interest wa
strengthened. He soon learned that Mr.
5 Berry was very hard-working man. Nor
, ming, noon and evening he was at his post
, always busy, always on his feet, and Away
, mild and placid; but he never looked as
r his heart were buoyant-no, not for mo
ment.
} At first Mr.. Parks thought that his nev
shop acquaintance had no assistant; bu
in process Of time this mistake was correc
. ted. The second time he had called on him
= he noticed a young lady behind the coun
$ ter, very neatly attired, with little gips,
: hat on her head, from which beamsd fort
/, a remarkably sweet countenance. At tn
time, he supposed her to be relative o
, intimate acquaintance Of Mr.. Berry's, who
in his press of business, was permitted t
wait on herself; but repeated calls laugh
? him that she was a regular assistant in tn
, store. He learned too the relationship tina
, existed between the gentleman and herself
for she called Mr.. Berry suncle.' For ,