Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-06-17

bic length
And vet after returning home, instead of
bravely trusting, feared that, the novelty over,
nv friend would weary of her task. But Sum- {
mer gave place to Alumni, Autumn to Winter,
ard still she was without assistance, except on
Mondays, when 4 clearly widow of the village,
washed and secured for her. She was never
worn out or dispirited. True, her pearly skin
lost something of its extreme dellcacy, her dim
pled hand was little embrowned, and her fin
gers thought less flexible; prettyAcalco, or
de lain dress took the place of muslin and silk,
and the crimpled collar displaced entirely the
elegant Brussels lace she used to wear. The
most agreeable gatherings in the village were at
her house. Only few people were invited at
time, and music, conversation, pictures, papers
and periodicals., with graceful, cordial hostess,
and the sensible, happy host, left nothing to de-
sire My friend was neither wearied with the
preparation, nor secretly disturbed at the ex-
pense Baskets of cake and fruit stood upon
table, Of which the guests partook at pleasure,
but there was no oysters or ices, or wines, or any
of the thousand and one modes of ostentatlons
money spending.
Mr. Grey, Sidneys kind-hearted, but advice
giving, and somewhat despotc, bachelor uncle,
did not, at first, call on the young people 1t
was quite as we'll perhaps, for Charlotte learned
all her pecuiarites from her husband, and was,
therefore, better able to make her house attract
i've when his first dispeasure was over He,
made his appearance one afternoon early in Sep
TENDER. No, he could not think of stopping
he was in great hurry, great hurry; business
pressing, very. But somehow, Mrs. Merton con-
trived to hide his hat and cane where she asserted
he could not find them in week. Then she
drew an armchair, a particularly easy one, into
the little porch opening from the kitchen, and
seated him so that he could enjoy the western
breeze, and, at the same time, watch her light
abors. With toIerable grace Mr., Grey accept
ed the attention, and then though he pretended
to be absorbed in his newspapers, half doz-
| en- of which he had taken from the parlor, he
lost not a single loostep OF his new niece. Per-
lectIy unconscious Of observation, Charlotte
moved about, now and then forgetting the pres
ence OF her guest, 50 far as to break into lrag-
t ments of tunes, which made the old gentleman,
1 though no great lover of music long TO hear
more. She lighted fire. and brushed away the
a litter which fell upon the floor in the operation,
= sihed some -four, mixed some cakes, and put
). them ia the oven to bake. Then she drew out
e a table in little eating-room, which like the
o parIor, had its Aower-vases, its plants, its
vines, climbing over the window, and making a
Il soft, green shade.
$ "llere, there, every where, with the tread Of
d a fairy thought Mr.. Grey, as he caught the
e sound of her voice, now from the hall above
e now from the cellar below, now from the parlor,
l. and again from the well appointed sore-room.
" Just as the last biscuit was done, Sidney
" came up the avenue, and the crimson mounted
: to the brow of bis wife, at the Overlook he be-
l. slowed upon her, when he saw his uncle follow
a ing her to the supper-room, gently rubbing hi
ID hands, and noddng repeatedly as was his Gus
l. tom when more than usually pleased. Mr.
is Grey was bit Of an epicure He particularly
delighted in snowy table-cloth, dishes glossy t.
id the eye and smooth to the touch, bright knive
S and spoons; and these he did not always Obtain
" at the hotel. So when he sat down at Mrs Mer
- TONS table, and tasted her exquisite imperial, he
G. biscuits with Just the sofest brown upon them
the large, sweet blackberres and taslefuIly moul
e, ded blancmange he began to nod, and nod, quit
h unconsclousIy, thereby giving his nephew til
e most entire satisfaction. While he was examn
III ing the house, which, in spite of his bushes,
he did very carefully, from attic to cellar men
as tally commenting upon the neatness of the whole
lg Charlotte slipped out, and persuaded her aunt tt
k spend the evening with her. Mrs. Eston was
Il sprighty, weIl-informed woman, and so interest
I'd ed Mr.. Grey in dispute about manufactures
n, that eleven o'clock came before he had ono
= thought of going, 1t was quite too late to re
d. turn to his lodgings, SO all declared, and he wa
es at length persuaded 10 remain
IN Every thing pleased him. Stairs were all
I'd version, and he could not admire sufficiently th
e- little bedroom attached to the paror. Besides
no beds were so light, no linen SO smooth, n
IN coffee so fragrant, and no steaks so tender, a
s. those Of Mrs. Merton After having enioye
Mt these uXures few times, his commentator
ne became so pointed, that the young couple inv
r. ted him to make their home his home where
Ia upon he began to nod vigorously, rubbed hi
n, hands, and, that very day, completely change
,ss the aspect Of his favorite bedroom, with an es
raordinary collection of fishing and huntin
ed gear, odd volumes upon variety of strang
as topics, boots, slippers, cigar-boxes, riding-whp
IS, and fancy lamps.
nd A fat, fair, good-tempered baby reigns ST
ill preme in the little e?tng-room now conyerle
ny into nursery, and bright-eyed, light-loote
girl of thirteen assists Mrs Merton AS fl
,u Mr. Grey al his vexalions have vanished II
to heart had longed for Just such home. 1t
/, surprising how busy he contrivos to be, frequel
81 ty declaring that "niece aud nevy cannot poss
we bly, get along without him." to which they smi
Ter ingIy assent. He has added two wings to ii
al- house, of dark colored stone, to match the Gel
ny ire; the one for himself, the other as he says
RS, for the cradle maiden Beneath each niche
it'll the parlor, he has placed shelves of rosewoo,
sci the ends nlaid with iyory threads and no sooI