Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-31
CHAPTER VI.


Of the mountain, aud our young friends from
Mrs MiJdledeld's were invited TO Join the
party.
Upon the appointed morning they were
all ap with the birds. and long ere the sun
had peeped above the misty mountain top"
the party had SET forth. taking with them a
bonnliful supply Of refreshments, as il wa.
their intention 10 pass the day upon The
summit Poor Mrs Middle6eld scarcely
knew how to employ herself, so lonesome
did she feel after the departure Of Charles
and Lila
why, am ashamed Of myself" said
she TO old Dinah, II had no idea ! could
miss the silly young things so much"
Fact. dey do hab dreadful takin' ways,
missus. Tor sartin, special, Miss Lila and
massa Charles, tool
Al length the morning wore away. and
the hour Of noon brought welcome respite
to the lsborer. The good old lady now
busted herself in making preparations for
the return OF the mountain party. all Of
whom she had invited TO pass the evening
at her honse although ii would be several
hours ere she could expec, them. She was
suddenly interrupted in her labors by the
stopping Of the stage a, her gate, from
which nephew Lincoln alighied.
The old lady. while she cordially welcom-
ed him, could not help chuckling AT the
game which she had assisted to play, well
knowing an explosion of wrath must soon
disturb the present calm.
And 50 Lila has gone lrolicking," said
Mr. Lincoln, eviderily pleased. "Well |
well that's right. But how is she, aunt
DO you think she is well p
20. perfectly well, aud as happy as the
day is long"
SIS she never low spirited p
Dear me. no. Why | have another
young friend staying with me too, and as
sure you they are inseparable; they read to-
gether. walk together. sing together, and"
II am glad of il. glad Of II. aunt" inter-
rupied MIR Lincoln, rubbing his hand with
pleasure. who is this young friend p
"One whom lore, nephew. equally with
your daughter. Perhaps you will be sur.
prised When tell you | mean to make this
person my heir To he sure, TO be sure,
you are my nearest relative, but then you
are rich. aud do not need amy more. so
have already made my will, bequealhing all
u
IT,"
81 am glad Of it," said Mr. Lincoln. again.
"We always supposed, ii is true, that Lila
would be your heir. hut she will he rich
without il, aunt, and il you have found one
who needs il. and deserves il, why hope
you will give il to her."
"Her! Why. bless you, nephew, there
is no her about il; is is fine young man
whom | shall make my heir p
"What What A young man So.
I've sent my daughter to your roof to keep
her from one rash fellow, aud here she finds
another don't like this at all il | rec
ollec,, too. you said that they were nsepsra-
Bile r.
YES the dear childrenp'
f"Reading. riding. walking, singing =
Here will be another fuss. for aught know,
worse than the other T.
IL shouldn't wonder, they seem much at
tached."
Attached. do they, And is this the
way you have periurmed your trusti Why
was not informed Of what has been going
on! Why wasn't written to? Aunt
aunt; am sorry to say. nothing but your
sex and age prevents my being very rude. -
''Slop. nephew, and hear me p said the
old lady 81 can readily pardon your pas
sion for he that will sacrifice the happiness.
Of his child to CRAFTY his own ambition, will
be guilty Of any meanncssl What right have
you, Erasius Lincoln, TO exercise your ar
bitrary will over the happiness Of any hu
man being? You have toiIed for riches
and they are yours; and what use do you
make oftheml You crush your daughier'l
heart beneath them. aud you would ratheI
rear splendid monument TO her memory
than TO give her TO a poor but deserving
young man r
"SIop, aunt, yon go too far! God know
| love my dear Lila "
"Lope her! No, nephew you love pow
er, fame, riches, better. Love herl Yes
you would ioue TO see her the wife OF somi
-gided fool, whose brains you could hold OF
sixpence You could watch her cheel
paling, her form wasting, her step becoming
daily more languid. and voice more faint
This you could see with satisfaction, be
cause she had not married beneath her,
as you please 10 term it, Yes, follow he
TO an early grave, the martyr Of your lows,
and then go down unwepi to your own"
"Auni you wrong me-"
"Do II Then clasp your daughter. you
Lila, TO your bosom, and give her TO Charlie
Sedly"
"Canies Sediy Do you know him
81 know him 10 be one Of the nobesi q
men; he il is who will be my heir. II
loves Lila and most truly docs LILA reiur