The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-03-28
Miscellaneous.
From Arthur's Magazine, for March.
o II r M AY.
by FANNY FoRREsTER.

"Or May" as every body called MAY
LOOMS, was the merrest, blithsomest bust
i est little creature you ever saw--a perfect
\ honey gatherer without the sting-an April
smile, with cousins face for the contrasting
cloud. 1t seemed impossible to bring shade
ofseriousness over that joyous face; for al
though have seen tears starting from her
eyes, they were always checked bya smile, or
ifsnffered to fall upon her face, they were
lost in profusion of rogush dimples.
Our May had cousin, the cloud above
mentioned, who reioiced in the same appella-
ton; but although every body said that Miss
May LOOMS was u very excellent young
lady no one ever tho't ofplacing the possess
ige before her name; indeed, do not think
Miss May would have liked such a partner
ship concern, for she had high opinion of
her own dignity, and though she thought it
must be very painful to any woman ofdelica-
4 cy TO be hailed by all she met as though un-
der their especial protection. The good ma
rred laugh of the old farmers shocked her
nerves, and the cordial grasp of their horny
hands was quite too much for lady-endurance.
Miss May was very often annoyed, when
walking with her cousin, by the exclamation,
There goes our May~ from the lips of some
poor Washerwoman, or errand-boy: and then
10 see them fly across the street, MS though
on terms ofthe greatest intimacy! Why, it
was preposterous. So presumng! But Miss
May was still more annoyed by the excess
sNe vulgarity of her thoughtless little cousin,
who would often stop in the street TO inquire
after the health and prosperity of the offend
crs, and send some little message to the chill
dren at home. On such occasions the cloud
usually drew herselfup to her utmost height,
and, to avoid the disgrace of such improper
conduct, walked home alone, in the most
dignifed manner But then Miss Mays
walk was always dignifed, if walking by
ruIc and compass constitutes dignity, and 81 g
was never known 10 do an improper thing in
her life. She always carried her hands in
one particular position except when, for the
sake ofvariety, she changed them to one 9TH
er particular positions; and her pocket hand
ierchieG which she held between the thumb
and finger of the left hand, was allowed to
spread itself over the three remaining fingers
in a very becoming manner. Her neck rib
hon was always crossed upon her bosom, the
two ends of precisely the same length; and
her collar never had in it wrinkle. There
were two or three plaits in the waist of her
dress, because somebody, that she consider
ed undisputable authority, had said that paits
were graceful; but she carefully eschewed all
Extravaganza, in the quantity, if not the quail
lty, of the cloth she honored by wearing. Her
hair this was the climax ofthe young lndy's
nicely, was so carefully brushed and pona-
tuned, that it seemed one glossy convex sur
face, surmounted by braid OHIO one
could have imagined what, but for the pale
blue ribband that relieved the brown, and
gave the curious examiner the idea that it
might be of the same material as the head
covering.
Miss Mays nicety extended to every thing
about her. Her house-plants were prim and
perpendicular, trimmed Of every redundant
,l,l, ,,ffo hoo 4 L.,
pening blossom, because it would produce IT.
regularity, by throwing the balance of orna-
ment on one side of the plant The cloud
was fond ofeXercising her skill in trimming
trees in the shape ofcones and other figures,
while her cousin fostered luXuriance in their
growth and would rather hang on them II
wilder wreath, or twist limb awry, than to
see the ornaments of her unce's garden
Standing out stark and stiff, like the spotes
of Wagon wheel. Yet the cousins never
cashed, for the regularity of Miss May eX-
tended TO her disposition and heart, and hay
ing her own excellent rule of rectitude, she
would as soon have been caught laughing n
llud, orromping in the court yard, or wear
4 hlg rumpled dress, rs swerving from it in
the least degree. On the other hand, our
May was too careless and too light-hearted
to be annoyed by her nice Cousins trifling
peculiarities: and she never opposed her
tastes, nor interrupted her in any thing ex-
cept lecture on propriety. Miss May never
spoke but in the gentlest voice, and the most
meXceptionable words; but then she often
felt it to be her duty to admonish her wild
cousin of the folly of her doings, which adj
monitions our active little Hebe found pecul-
iariy irksome. She, however, soon invented
way of warding off these avalanches of
good advice, quite worthy of her wit. When
Miss May would enter the parlor with grave
look of reproof and commence with the ON
NOUS words, "My dear cousin,I feel it my dll-
ty to expostulate-" the offender would inter
rupt her.
"Oh, dear coz, wait minute. May, dear
y, have something to tell you. Mr. Mel
roy"
This sentence was sometimes finished in
one way, and sometimes in another; but MIR
Melroy was the magic word;and after making
her fair monitress blush crimson, the little
tormenter would glide out of the room and
express her self graduation by laugh as long
and loud as it was musical.
MIR Melroy was our village clergyman; a
young bachelor of twenty-eight, and gener-
al fayorite with all classes ofmen. He was
friendly and courteous with all, for he looked
upon the whole human family as his kindred;
and his heart never refused to the meanest
peggar the appellation ofbrother. His voice
was full and melodious, but somewhat SOL
emn; his countenance exhibited dash of
melancholy, though SO modified by christian
Denevolence as to be peculiarly inter-
estlng; and his manner was correct and
!gentiemanly. The two cousins were MEM
Ders OF MIR Melroy's church; and their uncle
squire Looms, was his personal friend; so it
was not at all to be wondered at that he be-
zane their frequent visitor Neither is il n
matter of wonder that our volatile May, cone
trusted as she was with her grave companion,