Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-01-10

we've said Oh of course notp
If you would like to come to it, SIR said Mr., |
Smokers, who sat on the same side with me, vis-a
uis with his friend, Il shall be very glad and !
feel sure / can answer for Betsy too SIR
Don't be too sure of that interrupted Mr..
Jeeks 1t takes deal Of philosophy to do things
of the kind
you seem to be asking me to some meeting,
sir. May beg you to understand, once for all,
that have nothing Whatever to say to this most
contemplate potroon, Mr. Jeeks, nor to any of his
friends
! was going to ask you to my marriage, sir
and if you had been gentleman, or behaved as
SUCH
felt my hands clutchng with an rrepressibe
desire to seize Mr.. Shookers by the throat; but
had no time Before he had an opportunity to COM
pete his s. czech, sound, as of avalanche and
earthquake, all in one, was heard-a shock, as of
contending thunderbolts shook the train and the
last thing saw the body Of Mr.. Jeeks propel-
led, with the force and velocity of rocket against
the expansive countenance of Mr.. Smokers. My
own forehead was dashed against the opposite side,
and was insensble. There had been collision
between two trains recollect no more.
CHAPTER V.
When recovered my consciousness, ] in
my own room at Rayleigh Court. / looked round,
and gradually recollection of all that lad hap
pened dawned upon me- thought of my journey
down-the conversation between Mr.. Jeeks and
Smokers the new light that had been thrown on
the behaviour of the once cherished but now, for
the second time, detested Lucy Ashton; and
turned round on the bed, and wished to relapse in
to nsensibility forever. light step at the side of
the couch attracted my notice. 'Thank God'
heard voice say, my boy will lvep 1t was my
father. | turned round and opened my eyes. He
took my hand, and looked at me long, long time
with an expression of interest and affection that
had not seen for rnany years.
you are better, Henry, but don't exert yourself
to speak. The slightest effort may be fatal there
fore, for my sake, for all our sakes, be quiet
He sat down, and put his finger on his lips.
I'm day or two, now that your health has la
ken favorable turn you will be able to ask as ma
ny questions as you choose. In the mean time be
perfectly composed, and all will be WE'LL
NV father in mourning.
sYou are dressed in black whispered.
'We lave lost relation he answered, "a dis
tant relation and we must pay him the compli-
ment of black coat-but hush my dear boy; if
you utter another word ! must leave the ROOM
Under the care and uninterrupted attentions OF
my father, rapidly got WELL In a week l could
sit up in a fortnight moved into the library. The
sun was clear and warm. | sat at the open win
dow, and looked out upon the park, and beyond it
to the tops Of the trees in the Wilderness. 1t gave
me blow that | could scarcely bear. | rose up
and tottered to the sofa. The weekly newspaper
was lying on the table. took it up, and the first
para graph that met my eyes was this Married, al
Verbena Lodge, on Wednesday last, Alfred Shook
ers, Esq, of Singapore, to Elizabeth, third daugh
ter of jeremiah Juffles, Esq, late of Raleigh
Grange
thought had banished her from my heart fol
ever; but the suddenness of the announcement was
too much for me- The paper fell from my hand
and tainted.
Poor boy, the change is too much for him
heard my father say. He must not leave the room
again till he is stronger"
I IN nd h,, af
fort recovered my spirits at the same time. laugh
ed and talked and listened well pleased to my ia
theirs glowing picture of the possibility of our re-
ereving our fortunes by q marriage. I promised
him would sacrifice myself on the hymenial atal
for the good of my family; that would marry the
ugliest, oldest widow he could fix on that | was
anxious to be benedict on favorable terms ant
at all my protesatons my father laughed aloud
and patted me on the shoulder. could not believe
it was the same man who had snubbed and bulliet
me all my life. All of sudden he looked at his
watch.
Excuse me, my dear boy, he said, 4 have en-
gagged TO dine with poor Jeehs at five o'clock,
with whom p asked, shudderng at the sount
of the name.
With our neighbor, poor Jeeks,' he said II,
has had terrible dispensation, and is very mucl
softened and improved
What dlspensation?
'Ah l forgot: | was not to let you know. Hi
poor son. he never recovered the accident. Tw
or three of Mr.. Shookers teeth fastened in hi
: head. He has been dead these FIVE weeks: q mos
promising young man.
l was amazingly shocked at the intelligence.
is it for him we are Mourning | enQuired.
My father nodded.
9 Then he was cousin after all"
'There certainly seems to have been a relation
ship in the Temp. of some of the GeoS, as he cal
; led it. At all events the acknowledgment of
does not cost much, and poor old Jeeks is delight
ed Good-by Take care of YOURSELF
And so saying, he left me to my cogitatons
When once favorable crisis as it is called
I takes place, the amendment in the health of ma
> of twenty-five is very speedy. was aided also b
seeing my father in such spirits From day to da
picked up strength, and at the end of week
felt could venture out.
1t was June again-the poets leafy month G
$ June-the anniversary Of the very day on which
had so herocally enacted the part of the Master c
e Ravonswood against the pigs. Isauntered throus
i the park; a fate was upon me and directed m
steps, by some secret impulse against which strug
!, gled in vain, to the Wilderness. / may as wei
1 see the spot where was so deluded' thought an
recognized every object-alas with what differen
e feengs-as drew near the trysting tree.
o 6 1t was there / thought, Il saw Amy for tn
first time, as she was flying for protection; it wa
there rushed forward to save her; it was there
under the oak As directed my eyes to tn
spot, my heart eaped as if had seen spirit; 70
i there, on the identical turf with work-basket o
her lap, sat Lucy Ashton, or rather Mrs. Shooker,
i So you we come at astp she said. well, bel
ter late than never Here s your seat all ready.
have expected you long time
Are you woman, or iend in human shape
| began.
'Oh fend by all means, if you like but wha
has kept you all this time from Bushy Park? ar
afraid your father won't give his consents you woul
, have come to me sooner if he had. But come, 81
down and tell me ALL
! So saying, she went on with her knitting. Sh
was ovelier than ever. She was dressed in blacl
silk gown, and wore long black manta over he
head. had never heard anything so musical a
her voice, nor seen anything so beautiful as he
: smile.
Il shall certainly not be your dupe any longer
said; and believe me, the coquetry that might b,
caniiyatinG in Miss Elizabeth Infles is snlnly dis