Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-10-18
From the Southern Literary Messenger
MAY DAY.
A VILLAGE TALE, FOUNDED ON FACT.


row is the first of May!
"'lndeed,' said Harriet Love, the eldest
Of a little coterie of boarding misses, pellish-
ly, | don't care about tive shall have no
coronation, and so don't care. wonder
why Mr.. Thornton didn't let us have one
You know how delightful it was last year.
Mary Harris was Queen-how beautiful she
looked, and was one of the maids of hon
or
Who besides'' inquired Lucy Aslly.
There was myself
ooh = said the little group laughing, you
have counted yourself.'
'Well, I'll begin with Susan Jones'
How many were there!' said Lucy
Ashly.
There were eight let me see: Susan
Jones was one,' at the same time pressing
her thumb, excessively, on each finger, with
corresponding nod of the head, Caroline
March was two, Helen McA lister was three,
Ann Price was four
ANN Price died that last winter?' said
Lucy.
'Oh, yes-but don't interrupt me. Jane
Smith was five, Catharne Hope was six,
Eudosia Fav seven, and | made eight.
where did you have il p inquired Lucy.
'Oh in that delightful grove that over
looks the village, under those tall oaks that
seem almost to reach the skies. We had a
beautiful bower, covered with all kinds of
flowers, for believe Mrs. Hume and Mrs.
Wise sent every one in their garden-so
did all the other ladies'; and we went in pro-
cession, with band of Music before us.
Mamma said we looked so pretty as we
wound around the hill-and we had such a
long table filled with every thing that was
good. thought should never eat enough,
and carried home my bag full to little Bill
and Sam
SWELL" said little girl who had hither-
to been silent, | wish we could have cor
onaton. l do not care about eating
l am always too much pleased 10 think
about 1t, and Mamma will never let me car
ry home any thing in my bag, but love &c
see the company, and hear the fine music
and we always dress so pretty, you know
'Well,' said Lucy, { if we can't have 4
coronation, we must have some fun
| am snre,' said one of the girls, We
have no holiday Tomorrow. so | must ge
my lesson. Hush talking, do hush girls, and
let us get our lessons
With this she put her hands on her ears
and waving to and fro, began loudly TO cor
her mornings task.
Oh! SAID Lucy, after a pause, as if she
had been ponderlng on some grea, aud
weigh,y matter, and with the vivacity of one
who has suddenly hit on some new pleasure
let us try our fortunes
'Oh, yes said all, with rap,urous delight
do let US try our fortunes
But. how can we try Them I!
BY taking looking glass and holding i
over the well. Ma saws she tried hers whei
girl and saw Pa in the glass
La me never heard of such thing,
exclaimed they.
well | have, often enough said Har
riet Love, but here is Miss Julia-let us asl
her to ioia u.s. At this time young lad,
enteled the room. She was two or tire,
years their senior, tall and graceful in he
movements, and with face of peculia
sweetness and expression. Miss Julia, Mis-
julia cried they vociferonslv, each tryin
TO be the first to speak, 'Will you try you
fortune Tomorrow? Do, now-oh! pleas
do, it's the first of Nav, and you can SCI
who yon are going to marry
You sillv things said she, with GOO
humored smile, let me go-you had bette
be getting your lesson and she esSaved t.
pass on: but they continued with still great
er pertinacity, 'Oh, do, Miss Julia, please
Being unable to overcome their imporin
mites, and anxious to crafty their childis
within, she tacilly consented by asking VIVA
was to be done. They were all in rapture
at her good-natured compliance, and the
kissed her repeatedly.
No,,, ,,;.Is ,,;J .Lo ,,o,, ,,,et M 4
bed. Papa (heir precepor,) is quite IN
we'll, and says he must dispense with pray
ers. You mus, not make any noise as yo
pass his room-so good night kissing eac
Affect ,nately.
As she retired they babe her remember I
get up very soon, as their success depende
on their early rising.
Those gay creatures we've up with Il,
dawn, with the same buoyant spirits, as o
the preceding night. They dressed them
selves quickly, in tumult of delightful ant
cipation, then gently tapped at Juia's doc
- Miss julia said they softly, but eagerl,
are YOU ready?'
sYes,' said she, at the same time unclos
ing the door.
They silently descended the steps for fea
of waking those who slept. AS they opene
the large folding doors, the air was fresh an
baImy, aud touched the cheek with beauty
breath. The early spring flowers were shed
ding their sweetest odors; the birds wer
making compensation for the long and drea
ry winter, and ushering in with their mo-
melodous lays, this sweet month. Ma,
beautiful May--how typical Of youth Ju
merging into life, when first weaving thos
fantasies of hope, those hues and blossom
of the heart, into every sweet and vare
shape, little dreaming of the canker thu
preys upon the tender germ, and blights tn
opening blossom.
They pursued their way blhe and gay a
young fawns, laughing and testing on the
coming fortunes. Al last, they reached tn
well, encompassed by few tall trees. The
continued talking-but somewhat less voll
bly, and drew closely around, their voice
gradually subsiding to occasional whispers
Each sohered into seriousness Hush