Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-04-08


for uncle Jonas, dyed by her own hands. Aunt
Eunice did not like black, it was such a rotten
color The little, old-iashioned round table was
guiltless Of lamp, book, engraving or magazine
but, at the proper season was covered with nice
pewter patters full of rasp5errles, currants or
whortleberries, drying for Winter USE The
walls were garnished with sundry punches of
yarn and on nails in timber that projected
on one side of the room, hung the old peoples
Sunday best
The sitting or 'out room, as they called it,
was less beautifully furnished. Here were usu-
ally two OF three baskets of fruit standing about;
and ACROSS the hearth in Summer stood aunt
Eunce great wheel and on the chest lay sever
al punches of wool rolls, ready for spinning at
a moments leisure from the kitchen But aunt
Eunce's glory shone brightest in the kitchen,
where, on dresserS in the corner, we're pals and
dippers Of all sorts and sizes, and overhead end
less quantities, punches and strings of dried beef
dried herbs, dried peppers and dried apples-l
The great wooden screen before the fire was
hung with clean linen bags, and in the corners
of the yawing Fireplace stood the dye-tub and
salt mortar-the larcs of our fathers hearth
stones, quite as useful and venerable as those of
the anclents-yes, quite as venerabe-for who,
| ask, ever heard of new salt mortar?
Here aunt Eunice spent near three score years,
: busy, independent, contented and happy-happy,
except at two or thee times when she had been
troubled by the unfounded suspicion that uncle
Jonas thought of getting married. And she was
FnSnnCtau and baOvad too cDr &c che d;J SDo.Iy
sharply, and deal ont singing proverbs to her
neighbors, pretty often, yet her heart and hands
were as kind as her speech was sharp.
But must not forget nucle Jonas-dear kind
good, sunny-hearted uncle Jonas with his be-
nevoeut smiIe-his quiet, thoughtful manner,
and his few but very pleasant words. He was
the patriarch of the neighborhood whose foot
steps were haowed by angels, in the shape of
his neighbors' little children, who gathered round
him with mingled feelings of love and reverence
Melinda Button was very ignorant of lle-very
seriously unified to distinguish between the
nominal and real, and very poorly qualified to
enjoy or appreciate her new home. Mrs. Muir
docks words had not been without their influence
" and they continually required to her busy mind
after she was seated in the stage coach that was
going to D, and when the stage drew up to
the rustic tavern, where she was to be Ieh she
had seriously begun to think of her old relatives
with excessive repugnance, and to regard herself
:, as the most unfortunate and wretched of mortals
"Mr Green, have you brous ht my neice, Me-
! linda DutIon!' inquired some one, in a ful-toned
pleasant voice, as the driver proceeded to let
down the steps. 1t was uncle Jonas himself,
= who, approaching, assisted her to alight His
welcome was so kind and cheerful, and as he
= led her into the house, he inquired about her
Journey SO cordially, that the maidens brow
: grew clearer, and she watched his movements,
while he transferred ber baggage to his square
! bodied farm wagon, with unexpected interest
r The Dudley farm was about four miles from
- the village. They were soon on the road and
as they passed along, uncle Jonas pointed out
the sober looking farm houses, and told the names
y of the owners. 1t was sunset after they left the
village. The twilight deepencd and as the road
that crept cautlousl on among the hills grew
more aud more rugged, the old man relapsed
into his usual ,aciturnity. The moon arose and
gradually throwed flood of light on the scene
around them. The dewy forest leaves quivered
and shone like so many glad spirits, as the moon
beams came shimmering and showering through
'' them, like glowing kisses in search of the swee
= wild flowers that nestled below 1t was new
- scene to Melinda. The latent poetry of her ma
- ture was aroused, and she uttered an excama
J." ton Of delight.
:" Aye child, the heavens declare his righteous
y, ness, and all the people see his glory! the ole
-, man replied, in "A low, deep voice, Involuntary
u Slackenlng the pace of his horse, and raising hi
y eyes to the star-gemmed arch above them
They turned into a dark, narrow lane, over
~ arched by the luxurienl branches Of The maple
:. that sklrtcd it, and soon alterward the horst
- stopped, and uncle Jonas pointed out the farm
- house that was hance()rth to be her home
-, lie had scarcely ceased speaking when aun
~ Euuce appeared round the corner Of the hous
- with tall candle in her hand which she tried It
- screen from the wind, alternately talking to tn
. candle and the housedog, which was manifestn,
his JOY at his masters return by quick, shor
= barkings, and sundry gamboIs directly in hi
- path,
80 Get out of the way, you black scamp, AM
hold your tongue there, swell out there, vii
Gu ye plague on the peSky thing Jonas! say
:. Jonas, is that you, and have you got Indy?
e. Yes he replied, taking the girl from tn
" wagon, and leading her up to the old lady; ether
~ Eunice, you can't mistake that face-she's
49, Dudley, every inch of her
so much the better child, cried Aunt Eu
~" nice, shaking her heartily by the hand, and raj,
ing her light to get better view of her features
~ You're the last of good breed, for Jonas won
never get married now, and | am proper ga
you're come to live with u.s. But come, child
~, let US go in; you look tired, and dare say 20
=" are as hungry as a bear
~. Melinda followed her into the house, and wa
- presently seated at table loaded with eatable
,sr but arranged in manner that greatly amaze
;sh all her ideas Of propriety. There was a grei
IT, platter Of cold meat, surrounded by plates