Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-09
select Tales.
From Artlur,s Mnrn.ine for March.
LlLTAS LEE;
OR. THE BETROTHED.
BY HENRY FENToN.

On the eastern margin OF the Cayuga lake, /
is small village, or at least few houses, lay
ing claim to that appellation, the scenery ada
cent to which combines, perhaps, more of the
romantic and picturesque, than is to be found
any where in the wide State of New York.
The lake between three and four miles in width,
lies in one calm and unbroken sheet, faithfully
rejecting the blue arch above, and the few
light and gently moving clouds that vary its love-
illness.
Let me carry the reader back in Imagination,
some fifty years, before even the few buildings,
which now mark this spot, had been erected,
when no rude sounds of the busy occupations
of men broke in upon the solitude Of ma
ture.
Day was breaking, among the mountains, and
soft and mellow light was stealing over hill
and valley, and placid water, and the matn
carol Of natures songsters was already filling
the air with melody The light sound of the
oars Of small boat, dipping at quick and regu-
lar intervals, at distance, could now be heard,
and soon little bark, with solitary tenant,
issued from the shadow of rock on the mar
gin of the lake. The occupant was an Indian.
Fishing tackle lay in profusion about him, and
rifle rested across the stern of the boat; the
latter, as he drew near the shore, he discharged
into the air-the clear sharp sound echoed and
re-echoed among the distant hills, and all was
again silent A few minutes passed, and a
young man, clad in light summer dress, and
also bearing angling apparatus, came, with rap
id pace towards the waters edge.
George Waldeford, for such was the name OF
the young man. now introduced to the readers
attention, was an admirer of nature in her soli-
tary places
Bred to the law, and, but recently enrolled
among its practitioners, he had already given
proof, not only of unusual native powers OIL
mind, but of the discipline of severe and earn.
est study, and in these joyous hours of mental
relaxation, the ostensibe object of bis pursuit
was often most remote from his mind The
beauties of nature, and the few bright prospects
opening in perspective, upon his mind, with the
thousand fanced ones that always crowd the
young imagination, afforded him theme of happy
thought,
The only house, for miles circumjacent t.
the spot the reader is now, in Imagination occu
pyng was neat two story white dwelling
situated on an emlnence, some forty or fifty rod
from the lake, and so thickIy shaded with for
est trees as to be scarcely discernibIe from the
beach. This was the residence OF Mr.. Lee
agentleman whose wealth had enabled him tC
follow the bent of a cultivated taste, by seeking
happiness in such retirement. Waldeford was
distant connexion Of Mr.. Lee, and was Their
on VISIT during part Of the summer season
to the patron of his boyhood and the friend O
bis more advanced days. The Indian, who ha:
been introduced, was one of the many who ther
fingered, few of whom may still be seen, il
the western part of the state of New York. /
is well known that some Of these, particularly
those whose powers had not fallen before thu
destroyer, lRtemperance, possessed great de
gree of intelligence, and often proved the capa-
BILE and willing instructors of their civilized
neighbors in hunting and fishing These con
siderations, together with desire to investigate
the Indian character, had induced Wadeford tc
associate frequently with Wongah, as he was
called, one whom he had selected for his superb
or sagacity and friendly nature.
But to proceed with our narrative A few
hours had passed, fatal to many a perch and
pckerel when the boat again approached the
shore, and Wadeford, after making few choice
selections from the bulk Of their fnny treasures,
which his companion engaged to bring after him,
and making some other sporting appointment,
started on his return,
To moc nrOnaodinn e1o,,, oooo So
lane, with his eyes cast in thoughtful mood, up
on the ground, when he was startled by the
pressure of hand upon his arm, so gentle, that
he could not, even if it had been In this bank
rupt age of humanity, have mistaken it for a
sherif's grasp, and turning, was greeted with
merry laugh from rosy checked and blue
eyed maiden, whom a poet might style "a nymph,
naiad, or grace but who, nevertheless, |
earnestly contend, was only sweet Lilias Lee,
Well, cousin George she said, I've been
wondering this hour, where you could have
wandered, and here l find you, returning from
fishing expedition, in brown study, calcula-
ting the profits and losses of your mornings bu-
siness, l suppose.
a must confess, then, Lilly, since you have
seen solicitous for my welfare
It's all profit and no loss know what you
are going to say. Your compliments are get
ting DID, you must coin NEW set
Lilias was the eldest daughter of Mr.. Lee,
and had just completed her nineteenth year.
Distantly connected, she and George addressed
each other by the appellation of cousin, and
having been intimate in their childhood, the
fond parents of LiIias had never thought of the
possibility of their acquiring other feelings tow
ards each other, than the puerile attachment
which marked their earlier days.
Had Mr.. Lee feared aught of this nature he
would not have endangered the happiness of his
child, by paving the way for an attachment
which he could not countenance. A rash prom
Use to his wife, in the last moments of her exis-
tence, had left him no option as to the disposal
of his daughter. Mrs Lee was offcreign birth,