Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-06-13

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tiersman; the poor recluse, OH her side, was
no less delighted in The opportunity TO exbib-
il her charms and loosen her lively tongue
once more They spent the evening in con-
versaton before the blazing fire in a gigan-
tic chimney of unhewn rocks, while tie old
man smoked his pipe in his usual moody ST.
lence Endicott had enough of the gallant
TO regret the rather outlandish attire in which
he appeared before his old acquaintance
for he was clothed in hunting dress of
leather; but she, poor girl, was evidently
mortified at the figure she made in her back
woods garb, so different from that in which
he had been accustomed TO see her at the
dance or sleigh-ride.
His handsome host conducted him TO his
sleeping-room. 1t was a large chamber, the
best room Of the log-cabin, with floor aud
walls of rough timber squared with the axe.
The furniture was never made for such an
apartment There was a large and elegant
curtained bedstead; chairs and tables ofihe
best workmanship and a number Of French
and Chinese toys on the rough hewn mantel-
piece. On little centre-table were several
handsomely bound books, some empty per-
fume:y-botlles Of porcelain, aud basket Of
visiiing-cards All these things had most
whimsical appearance 10 the eye Of my an
cestor, who was not without hnmor and
poor Sarah blusled, but could not help
smiling as she saw him glance at them lie
rightly conjectured that the luxuries had
been removed to the back-woods under her
auspices. In the rude fireplace were placed
some rough pine boughs as a substitute for
the asparagus, which, with its delicate green,
and its bright red berries, so often forms the
ornament Of New-England country houses
Before he lay down, Endicott opened the
shutter of square aperture that supplied
the place of window, and looked OUT
The river tumbled close beneath the wall ;
the night wind with its fresh cool smell was
stirring down the solitary valley; while a
young moon, shining on the woods and wa
tiers, showed all the wild features of the
place.
In the morning Sarah met him under a
new aspect, more BETTING the settlements
than the frontier. In the simple and taste
ful dress she wore. her charms were no lon
ger eclipsed, and she might fairly have been
called beautiful, even in New England for
she was straight and symmetrical as grace
lul as young birch tree, and as fresh and
fair as its tender leaves in the spring Her
spirit was as lively and impetuous as a noun
tam brook and if there was little vanity
and love of admiration in her character, the
warm heart of pure vigorous womanhood
was behind il all.
They spent the morning in exploring the
recessess of the valley. First, they traced
it up to where the opposing mountains press
ed close together, and the stream, bursting
through the intervening ravine, came boiling
over the rocks. Then retracing their steps,
they followed the valley down till it ended in
an abrupt precipice, two or three hundred
feet high for it lay imbedded high up in
the bosom Of the mountains, and its little
stream had long descent to make through
rocks and forests before it reached the Hud-
son. BY climbing high precpitous hill,
they could look down on the face of the pre-
cipice where the stream was pouring itself
down into an immense dark and savage
gorge. Deeply bedded among woods and
rocks at the bottom, there was circular
deep green basin into which the waters fell
punging from above. 1t was so far down,
that when Endicott pushed from the brow
of the hill the decayed trunk of tree, il
SttIlltu W uWIDule 10 TIE size VI Il straw Dc-
fore it splashed upon the green revolving
waters of the basin. 1t was the widest and
subimest spot in Massachusetts, High and
abrupt mountains lowered all around the
cataract, which was no other than that which
has since been absurdly chrIsened with the
corrupted Swiss name Of Bash-a-pish FALL
Meanwhile, the sun beat down with a Ian
guild heat. The forests seemed swimming
in faint sultry mists; the turpentine boiled
from the trunks of the heated pines; and a
dead noontide torpor pervaded the whole
scene The little stream alone kept up its
restless motion and its murmurng voice, in.
viting the languid frame TO luxury and re.
freshment. Endicott had made up his mind
to depart early in the afternoon, though his
friend pressed him to remain, and he him.
self felt no great earnestness TO get away
A dead stiffness in the air grumbline
noise that sounded heavily from behind the
mountains a mass of sullen nky clouds that
rose up and swept rapidly over the sky, saved
him the tronble Of coming to any decision
1t was evident that if he did go, he mus
'bide the pelting of furious thunderstorm
AS they looked from the door, dull roaring
sound, and fresh wind came down from
the valley above, which was now shrouded
by gray misty curtain that seemed to be
drawn across it, and to advance nearer and
nearer, involving as it came, rocks, noun.
tains and forests, while the roaring sound
grew louder and louder Then few large
rain drops fell on the platform before the
door then they came faster and faster, till
the water streamed from heaven to earth in
narallal 81 ant lines ohscnr:nn traav r;ya. n m Il