Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-03-19

her wild cousin Of the folly of her doings, which
admonltions our active little lIebe found peculiarly
irksome. She, however, soon invented a way of
, wardng off these avalanchcs Of good advice, quite
worthy of her wit When Miss May would enter
the parlor with grave look of reproof and com
mence with the ominous words, "My dear cousin,
feel it my duty to oXpostulalc " the offender would
interrupt her
"Oh, dear COZ, wait minnie May, deary,
have something to tell you. Mr., Mclroy--"
This sentence was sometimes finished in one way
aud sometimes in another; but Mr.. Melroy was the
magic word and after making her fair monilress
blush crimson. the little tomentor would glide out
of the room, and express her self graduation by
laugh as long and loud as ii was musical.
Mr. Meroy was our village clergyman young
bachelor of twenty-eight, and general favorite
with all classes of men, 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 bergar the appcllatlon of
brother. His voice was full and melodous, but
somewhat solemn his countenance exhibited n
dash of melancholy. though so modified by chris
tan benevolence as to be peculiarly interesting /;
and his manner was correct and gentlemanly.-
! The two cousins were members of Mr.. Melroy's
church and their uncle, Squire T.oomis was his
personal iinend so it is not at ell to be wondered
at that he became their frequent visitor. Neither
Is 1t matter of wonder that our volatile Nav con-
trasted as she was with her grave compauion should
almost escape the young pastors notice. Oar May
saw that Mr.. Melroys attention was all directed to
the cloud; but she was not sorry, for it gave her
an opportunity TO watch his fine eyes as they light-
cd up with the enthusiasm of his subject. and to
catch the variety OF expression which genius can
throw upon the most serious face. Our MAY liked
merriment but she liked Mr.. Mclroy's conversation
better; and she never ventured TO breathe word
until she was sure he had quite finished Then
she would make some remark. so comical, that Mr..
] lrntr hn IA H.
her in spite of himself; and Miss May would quite
forget the half hours profitable conversation in
planning reproof Sometimes Mr.. Melroy would
walk win the young ladies', or rather with the cloud.
| Tor our May was constantly bounding from the
path, to pluck flower or chase a butterfly and
yet, she somehow never lost the young cergyman's
profitable conversation, for when they were again
alone, she would teaze her sedate cousin by distor-
tlng his beautiful sentiments, aud sadly lnisapply-
ing his comparisons
Both of the cousins had a class in the village
Sabbath school, and Miss May was the secretary
OF two or three benevolent societies. of which our
May was only quiet unobtrusive member Some
people wondered that the relative and constant
comp1nlon OF such a pnffcrn-lndy as Miss May
LOOMS, should choose such questionable wav of
eNllDltng her charity. as TO visit the poor in per-
son, and administer to their wants, even when it
called her away from the meetings of the society
but others tearlessly advocated their favorites
sad nothing. Before old Mr.. Thompson left. Miss
May used TO tell the delinquent that she knew Mr..
thompson dlsapproved Of such conduct; but she
dared not mention Mr. Meroy's name, as it was
signal which our May failed not to answer with mn
exceedingly gay vollcy. The truth was every
body said that Mr.. Melroy did not call so often at
Squire Loomis's for nothing: and as Miss Nav
was very far from being nothing, she was very nat
uray concluded to be the something which so at
tracted. When anybody asked home questions
about this matter, our May laughed, and looked ve-
| ny knowing, while her cousin bushed, and looked
very dgnled. Thus matters went on for long
time, ana thus they might have gone on, in spite
of several old ladies, who endeavored to Introduce
variety by prophecying it, but for occurrence in
which our May most sadly overstepped the bounds
of propriety.
1t was on fine afternoon, in the beginning of
August, that the young pastor was seen leading
the fair cousins beyond the little cump of houses
which dignifcd by the title of village. Miss
Mays step was as precise as ever: but our bright
lady of the possessve pronoun, walked now as
though she thought she could guide herself and
was seeking an opportunity TO drop the gentlemans
arm. Their walk was, as usual, delightful to all
for Miss Nav was treated with the most scrupulous
atention-Mr. Melroy found the air refreshing and
the scenery beautiful, 10 say nothing of the valued
society of the cloud, and our May was always
pleased. On this day she was even more irollc
some than usual; and having, accidentally broken
Il wreath of frail beautiful flowers, which she had
been wreahng, Mr.. Melroy so far unbcnt himself
as to say he wished she had never linked a more
endur1y chain.
"What can he mean?" thought laughing MAY /:
but at that moment her attention arrested by
field OF faymakers among whom she recognized
familiar faces. The recognition mutual, for
instantly young man called out, "There's our
/ May" and the giddy girl, turning about with an
arch smile, and shaking her finger at her compan-
/ Tor It,l,tI md
in the midst of the haynakers. The young man,
who at first recognized her, seized one of her hands,
while a woman in blue frock and calico bonnet
appropriated the other, and the whole party. men,
women and children, gathered around the pretty
hoyden, with familiarity which, to Miss May, was
perfectly astounding. Our May stood but mo-
! ment in the centre Of the group, when dozen
voices. pitched every Imaginable key roared
forth bosterous laugh, not however, quite drown
ing her own clear-rn9ng tones; and then, with n
sort OF mock courtesy, she was bounding away,
when the young man again stopped her. Our May
paused a moment as though undecided, while the
, young man stood before her, and by his earnest
gestures seemed urging some affair of importance
Then little girl was seen to leave the circle. and
run until she came within hearing of the waiting
couple, when she called out
; sour May Miss LOOMS, mean-says if you
Y VIII excuse her, she will walk home alone, as she
isn't quite ready now"
e Mr. Meroy looked at Miss May, and Miss May
= looked at Mr.. Melroy, and then both looked at the
5 offending cousin She had gone little aside from
= the haymakers, and was talking with the young
f man, and from their manner it evident that the
S conversation was intended for 10 other ear,
o I'VE ought not TO leave her" said Mr.. Melroy.
d ave ought to leave her." said Miss May, in t
d decided tone, and the gentleman complied.
e 1t would he labor lost TO follow home the astoun
c ded couple, as, for some reason or other, neither
II spoke until they entered Mr. Looms's parlor, no