Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-10-29

of that dress, it would astonish you-her moth
er's old gown raced, or some remnant, that Mrs.
Buuerton would tell you was wonderfully cheap
but come, they are forming colon and we
must waste no more time in small talk
Before the close of the evening, Mr.. Robert
son had formed thesacquain.ance of the greater
portion CT the ladies' in the room. Smiles and
welcome greeted him on all sides. Why was
he thus courted? Was it his fashionable cos
tune? His beautiful hair! His highly polished
and agreeable manners? We know not but e.
ven the reserved Miss Sally Prescott honored
him by her sweetest smiles and bandest atten-
tons. The fastidious Mrs Isabelle Topping
ton declared him the quintessence of perfec-
ton
1t was late in the morning following Mr. But
torton's party, that Mr.. Robertson arose com
pIeeIy refreshed, and ready to enjoy the first
amusement that might present Itself He had
scarcey breaklasted, when Harry Morton called
and proposed walk, for the purpose of show
ing his friend the beauties Of Brookdale As
they stroIIed idly along, they passed small, but
neat house, on the suburbs Of the village. Every
thing around it bone the impress Of neatness and
refinement A small green yard, adorned with
variety Of common, but lovely flowers, sur
rounded the house, and graceful vines of the
wd-rose and honey-sucke hung round the
piazza and windows. The young men passed
Just as a lady, who was examining dropping
plant raised her form and slightly bowed,
in answer to Morton's salutaton. Mr. Robertson
was struck with the exceeding loneliness of her
face. She was rather above middle height and
although Mr.. Robertson did not obtain a full
view of her figure, he thought he had never seen
more perfect model of female grace. Her COM
pexion was Of the purest white, and her cheeks
glowed with the most delicate hue of health,
while her radiant blue eyes settled long dis
puted question in the mind ofour hero, of the
attraction of blue eyes versus black; aud al
though her head was enveIoped in that most un-
becoming ofaII coifures;'a sunbonnet, yet The
few curIs visible were of so rich and shining a
god Color that though Mr.. Robertson had here
tolorc admired exclusively "tresses of the ra-
ycn's hue" yet he felt his prejudices vanish like
hoar-frost before the rays Of the King of day.
Who is she, Moron?" cried he, grasplng
his friends arm 3" and what her most glarlng
fault, for she mast have many to concordance
such dazzling beauty"
Morton looked surprised at his friends We
hemence, and answered cooly do not see
why that should be the case have known
many pretty women, aud | do not find them
any more ignorant ilI-tempered, or affected,
than ugly ones and in this case, ! am happy to
inform yon that if the fair Annie Grey has any
faults, have not been able to discern them,
unless you consider pride fault"
Her common attire does not speak of pride
oh, not that kind of pride, but a quiet sort
of way, which makes one feel she is not made
of common clay, and half smile that is sure to
grace her lips when some Of our beaux or bellies
are showing off, But never heard her ridicue
any one and | suppose, he continued, laugh
ingly, lit is only my peculiar penetration which
has discovered this obnoxious trait in her char
acter'
But tell me who she is
Her name, as ] said before, is Annie Grey
1 Her father spent all his once splendid estate, by
bad management and extravaganza, and they
now live on a small annuity, which was saved
out Of the general crash, after all his debts were
honorably paid. They lived in great style, and
Annie was spIondidly educated. am told she
sank into poverty very gracefully and that it did
not rob her Of single smile. His pecuniary
mslortunes, together with the death of his wife
had most sautary effect upon Mr.. Grey, who,
from dissiplted lder, became very useful
-, IL, &
her two younger sisters, but as they are well
connected they have not lost CASTE notwith-
standing their poverty But | have talked you
into fit Of musing; and see, we are approach
ing the residence of Mr.. Willis. Suppose we
give Miss Eliza a call
Mr.. Robertson assented, and in few min
utes the young gentlemen were ushered into the
parlor, where they were soon joined by Eliza
Willis of whom it is but proper we should give
passing description. Her beauty was of that
sort which depends almost entirely upon express
sion, without regularity of feature. Her fore
head was low but indicative of intellect; eyes
dark and animated; good teeth, and complex
ion that varied as she spoke; of medium height
and rather slight figure. Her free and indie
pendent step proclaimed het genuine daugh-
ter of America. She might have been termed
universal genius" She could make pastry
and pudding-write sentimental poery-"darn
and patch to perfection and could sing, and
dance, and play chess Often she might be
seen returning to the house with a pail filed with
milk, drawn by her own hand from "the old tiny
COW, and a half hour afterward be elicting the
richest melody from the piano, with the same,
mot very fair, but well shaped fingers. She
was capmaker general for all the old ladies, and
pattern cutter for "many a blooming country
lass" How she ever found time for her multi
larious empIoyments, can hardly be comprehend
ed.
1T is astonishing" said Mr. Robertson, as
he and Morton were returning from their NOR
ming ramble-''it is astonishing how much beau
! 1 e