Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-27
BURLINGTON. VERMONT, FRIDAY, JANUARY o. 1913

S hour upon the prospect of his crops, and NOR
; particularly upon the unpleasant subject G
Debby and Joe Nelson. The y,ung man ha
become so familiar and so much at the house
That he had hardly doubt there was stron.
attachment growing up between him and Deb
, by, and he began to fell very uneasy about it,
He had always been so fond of his dauphter
, and her presence was so necessary to his han
pness, that the idea of her marrying at all wa,
sad thought TO him but if she must marry, he
determined 1t should be, if possible, 20 a per
son OF some property, who would at once
place her IN comfortable situation in life, anf
relieve him from the foolish anxiety. so common
IN the world, lest his own little estate should he
dishonored by family connections not equal te
IL Nhlle he remained there in this musinn
mood, he recognized Henry Miller coming dowr
the road, and he resolved at once to take hin
home with him TO supper. Miller was dash
ing business young fellow, who kept a store
about mile and half from Wilder's, and was
reputed to be worth some five or six thousand
dollars. lie had heretofore been frequent
visitor at Wlder's house, and there was a time
when ms attentions TO Debby we're such as tc
cause Mr.. Wilder to expect that the thrifty
young trader would become his son.in-law.-
Debby however was not sufficiently pleased
with him to encourage his attentions, and for
some time past his visits had been dscoptin.
ued.
GOOD afternoon, Mr.. Miller said Wilder.
presenting his hand; "glad to see you, how do
you do fine day, this
"les, fine day, said Miller, excellent
weather for crops; how are you all at
home =
quite well, thank ye,' said Wider
Come. you must 90 down to the house with
me. Why have you been such stranger
lately 2
,.'Oh I've generally been pretty busy said
Miller, coloring little, Il don't Get much
time to visit
Wen you must 60 down to the house with
me now, and stop to SUPPER, said Wilder
you can have nothing to prevent you to-day,
Pm sure'
Miller colored still deeper-sad he did not
thihk he could stop; he only came out to take
a OIL OF walk, and did not think of roinn
any iurlher than the top of the hill where
they now stood. Mr.. Wilder however world
not take 'no' for an answer, and after ron.
siderable importantly he prevailed upon Miller
to accept his invitation. and they descended the
hill together and went into the house.
Debby, here's Mr. Miller said Mr.. vii.
der, as they entered the parlor.
Debby rose, handed a chair, and said GOOD
evenings but her face was covered with blush
es, and she returned again to her seat.
AS Miller seated himself in the chair, he
glanced across the room and recognized Jo-
seph Nelson The two young men nodded at
each other, and both seemed somewhat EN-.
barrassed.
Where's your mother, Debbyr said Mr.
"iider; MIR. MIller's going to stop to sup
per-
room. '"'N '''''''"
How does thee do, Henry p said she, pre-
ssenting her hand, Il am glad to see thee
hope thy mother is WE'LL
Very well indeed" said Miller, and after
few more remarks Mrs. Wilder retired to
superintend the preparations for supper.
Excuse me, Mr. Miller, a little while,
said Mr.. Wilder, Il want TO 20 and show Io-
seph that field of corn of mine we were
looking at, back of the bill. According to
my notion it is the stoutest piece there is in
town. Come, Joseph, 90 up and look at H.
Il think it as the stoutest piece I've seen
this year, said Joseph; Il saw it about a
week ago.
'Oh, it's gained Amazingly within week,
said Mr.. Wilder; Come, 90 up and loo; al
it,
Joseph was altogether unaccustomcd to
such attentions from Mr.. Wilder, and he look.
ed not little confused as lie took his hat
and followed him TO the door. They went ur
the road, and Mr.. Wilder took him all round
the field OF corn, and examined hill after hill,
and looked into the three fields, and found a
hundred things to stop and look at, and talk
cd 10 Joseph more than he had before for
SIX months Joseph suspected that this walk
was undertaken by Mr.. Wilder for the pur.
pose OF leaving Miller and Debby in the room
together, but he bore it all patiently, and an.
swered all Mr. IVlder's remerks about his
crops and his fields with apparent interest
for he knew too well the state of Debby's
feelings, both towards himself and towards
Miller, TO feel any uneasness At length Mr.
Wilder concluded supper must be ready, and
they returned to the house. On entering the
parior, they found Miller alone, reading news.
paper. Mr. wilder looked vexed.
'What, all alone, Mr.. Miller y said Mr.
Wilder, Il shouldn't have staid so long, but
thought Debby would amuse you till we 20,
back
"Miss. Debby had some engagement that re.
qulred her attention. said Miller "and asked tc
be excused; but found myself quite interest.
ed in this newspaper
Wilder went out and met his wife in the hall
and asked her how long it had been since Deb
by left Mr.. Miller alone in the parlor. "She
left in three minutes after thee went out" sail
Mrs, Wilder, "and couldn't persuade her to 90
back again. She said she knew they went ou
Oh purpose 10 leaNe ner ana Henry alone there
together, and she would not stay. It's no use
, William, those things always will have the
own way and it's no use trying to prevent it,"
The supper passed off rather silently and rath
, er awkwardly. Mr.. Wilder endeavored to be
socable and polite 10 Mr. Miller, and Debb,
, performed many little silent acts of potenes.
towards Joseph, and Mrs. Wilder, as usual, wa.
, mild and compalsant to all. But an air of EN-
, barrassment pervaded the whole company, anc
when they rose from the table, Henry Miller
asked to be excused, and SAID it was time fol
, him to be returning homeward. Mr. Wilder en-
deavored to persuade him to stop and spend the
evening, but Henry was decided and said he
must go. After he had gone, Joseph and Deb
by returned again to the parlor, where they were
joined part of the evening by Mrs. Wilder
but Mr. Wilder, after walking up and down the
dining room for an hour or two, retired to bed
not however to sleep. His mind was too mucl
engrossed with the destiny of Debby, to allow
of repose. He counted the hours as they were
told by the clock, till it had struck twelve Mrs
Wilder had then been two hours asleep. Aftel
a while the clock struck one, and in few min
+ utes after that he heard the outer door rather