Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-11-10
CHAPTER Nv

CHAPTER w.
Old Time drives fast. His swift chariot
with its sightiess wheels, and its airy steeds,'
has rolled on and buried four years with the
past. Ii is lovely summer morning. A
brighter sun never shone on the quiet town
Of N, or a bluer sky looked down on
the CLASSY and romantic stream which flow
ed before it, A short distance from the
town, on an eminence that gradually sloped
even to the very edge Of the river, stood a
stately mansion. 1t was Of ancient architec-
ture, partaking somewhat of the Gothic or
der, and apparently had stood there for at
least quarter Of century. Yet there was
no yestige of decay or ruin in lis appear
ance; it was like a hale old gentleman Of
some three score and ten, on whom the
marking hand Of time is firmly laid yet doth
he scarcely feel the touch The grounds
surrounding the house were beautifully laid
out in gravelled walks, rich beds of rare
flowers, and grassy plots, with summer hou-
ses and arbors, forming cool retreats from
the summers sun whilst marble figures and
statues, placed at intervals throughout the
grounds, gave 10 the place a most nagnifi-
cent appearance. Rich fields Of grain, in
terspersed with rustic cottages, extending as
far as the eye could reach on every side,
and which appertained to the same estate,
told of the good old gentleman of Linden
Hall.
Beneath large arbor Of dourishing grape
that extended from the immediate front Of
the mansion for some twenty yards, or more,
towards the river commanding the cool
breeze that arose thereirom. sat an elderly
couple, who, like John Anderson my Jo'
and his dame had already began to ascend
the downhil side of life. If the face is an
index of the heart, surely the placid and be-
nevolent countenances told of good and up
right ones, and it was even so, for none
were more universally beloved for their
kindness and benevoence than Colonel Lis
/ ton and his estimable lady. TWAS perfect
picture Of contentment as they sat there,
the old gentleman reclining in his large ca
sy chair, his head barred to the breeze, and
his white sIvery locks floating down his
neck, ever and anon addressing few kind
words TO his companion, as, now and then,
he raised his eyes from the newspaper which
he held in his hand, while she, in her old
cushioned rocking chair, leaned leislrely
back, and alternately piled the knitting APP
paratus with which she was employed, or
replied TO the words addressed her by the
Colonel
The old gentleman bad laid down the pa
per, and sat for some time in thought. At
length he said suddenly
I've been thinking Of DR.. Ms orders this
morning BY POUNDS I'd rather stay at
home than 90 to Saratoga
Yes, but you know it may do you good,
my dear, and besides it will give Kate some
opportunity OF seeing the world. ! think
you had better try it,
We'll, | suppose if must | must, and in
fact don't mind it so much now, since
you've mentioned Kate, for it is high time
she should see somewhat Of life. She is a
dear, sweet girl An here she comes
Just then a clear, ringing laugh was
heard the light bounding of feet, and the
mex! instant lovely girl Of perhaps eight
cen summers rushed into the arbor, and
kneeling gracefully at the old mans feet,
emptied her apron of load Of wild flow
ers which it contained.
She was an exquisite creature, with light
and graceful form, Just rounding into wo-
manhood, somewhere about the middle
height, and most symmetrically proportion
ed Her head seemed to have been cast in
natures canniest mould, and every feature
harmonized into one striking whole. The
broad leghorn fiat, which had fallen back
from her head, left her shining curls Of jet,
free and unrestrained, and they fell in rich
masses adown her neck, almost burying her
round white shoulders in their vast album
dance, sare one or two which shaded that
sweet open brow, so fair and snowy, it
seemed like breathing marble. The pretti-
est pair of rosy lips that ever tempted one
of Adams sons were Kate Listens, and her
eyes-those deep blue sparkling eyes, so
eternally dancing in very glee- shaded by
the longest and silkiest lashes, oh what a
world was there in their glance. And then
her complexion, always so clear and beautl-
ful, but now heightened in its beauty by the
recent exercise which had spread so album
dainty the rich carnation over her damask
cheeks, and her smile-ah after all, it was
her bewitching smile, so full of archpess, so
winning, that made her what she was-a
sweet and lovely woman.
Only see what load of flowers | have
gathered 2 she exclaimed.
'Ah, you have been taking your usual
ramble this morning, you rogue, eh = and