Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-01-27
BY VIM. e. RYTHER.
From Graham'S Magaainc.
A RACE FOR A SWEETHEART
BY MIR. sEDA SMITH.


lage, especially among the young folks, than
the arrival Of a fresh and blooming miss, who
comes to make her abode in the neighbor-
hood. When, therefore, Squire Johnson,
the only lawyer in the place, and very re-
spectacle man Of course, told Farmer Jones
zone afternoon that his wiGe's sister, a smart
girl of eighteen, was coming in few days
TO reside in his family, the news flew like
wild-fre through Pond village, and was the
principal topic of conversation for a week.
Pond village is situated upon the margin of
one OF those numerous and beautiful sheets
of water that gem the whole surface of New
England, like the bright stars in an evening
sky, and received its appellation to dstn-
gush IT from two or three other villages i'm
the same town, which could not boast of
similar location. When Farmer Jones came
in to his supper about sunset that afternoon,
and took his seat at the table, the eyes of
the whole family were upon him, for there
was peculiar working about his mouth and
knowing glance Of his eye, that always told
them when he had something of interest to
communicate. But Farmer Jones' secretiye-
ness was large, and his temperament not the
most active, and he would probably have
rolled the important secret as sweet morse
under his tongue for long time, had not
Mrs Jones, who was of rather an impatient
and prying turn of mind, contrivcd to draw
it from him.
Now, Mr. Jones' said she, as she handed
him his cup of tea, what is it YOU are going
to say2 Do out with il, for you've been
chawng something or other over in your
mind ever since you came into the house,
ITS my tobackee, / s'pose, said Mr. Jones
with another knowing glance ofhi eye.
Now, father what is the use?' said Su-
san; I'VE all know you've got something or
other you want to say, and why can't you
tell us what 'tisF
La, who cares what t is 2 said Mrs Jones
If it was any thing worth telling we should
MT have to wait for it, dare say
Hereupon Mrs Jones assumed an air of
the most perfect Indifference, as the surest
way of conquering what she was pleased to
call MIR Jones' obstinacy, which by the way
was very improper term to apply in the |
case for it was purely the working of Sc
cretiveness, without the least particle of OBJ |
stinacy attached to it,
There was pause for two or three mill
utes in the conversation, till Mr. Jones pass
ed his cup to be filled a second time, with
couple of preparatory hens he began to let
out the secret
we are to have new neighbor here in
few days, said Mr. Jones, stopping short
when he had uttered thus much and slipping
his tea and filling his mouth with food
Mrs Jones who was perfect in her tactics. |
said not Word, but attended to the affairs of
the table as though she had not noticed what
was said. The farmers secretiveness had at
last worked itself out and he began again.
Squire Johnson's wife's sister is coming
here in few days, and is going TO live with |
,em
The news being thus fairly divugcd, it
left free scope for conversation.
Well | wonder if she is proud, stuck
up piece said Mrs. Jones'
Il should MT think she would be so, said
Susan, 'for there amt a more sociabler wo-
man in the neighborhood than Mrs. JIG hnson.
SO if she's at all like her sister / think we
shall like her.
wonder how old she is said Stephen,
who was just verging toward the close of his
twenty-hrst year.
The Squire called her eighteen, said Mr.
Jones, giving wink to his wife, as much as
to say that's about the right age for Stephen.
wonder if she is handsome, said Susan.
who was somewhat vain OF her own looks.
and having been a sort Of reignng belle in
Pond village for some time, felt little alarm
at the idea of rival.
Il dare be bound she's handsome, said Mrs
Jones, If she's sister &c Mrs Johnson for
where will you find hnndsomer woman than
Mrs. Johnson, 90 the town through
After supper Stephen went down TO Mr..
Robinson's store and told the news to young
Charles Robinson, and all the young fellows
who were gathered there for game at quoits
and ring at wrestling. And Susan went
directly over to Mr.. Beams and told Patty, Il
and Patty went round to the Widow Davis
and told Sally, and before nine O'Clock the
matter was pretty well understood in about
every house in the village
At the close of the fourth day, little be-
fore sunset, chaise was seen to drive up to
Squire Johnsons door Ofcourse the ewes
of the whole village were turned in that d.
recton. Sally Davis, who was Just coming
in from milking, set her pail down on the
grass by the side of the road as soon as the
chaise came in sight, and watched it till it
reached the 'Squires door, and the gentle
man and lady had got out and gone into the
house. Patty Bean was doing up the ironing {
that afternoon, and she had Just taken hot
iron from the fire as the chaise passed the {
door, and she ran with it in her hand and i
stood on the door step till the whole ceremo- S
ny of alghting, greeting and entering the G
house, was over '
Old Mrs. Bean stood with her head out of t
The window, her iron bowed spectacles rest j