Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-08-12


a neghbofing village, whose inhabitants, like the
good people OF Athens, were much gveh 10 either
tell hear some new thing lived Squire p. face.
ious, good naiured sort Of body, whose jokes are
ye, matter Of village record. and are re-iold
through various editions. from folio down to due
decimo. e
Aunt Lizzy was Deacon Squire's wifes sister
maiden lady Of abou, foriy---she went TO all the
meetings-kepi regular account OF every BIRTH
death and marriage, with their dates--dociored al
the babies. and knew every yard in the neighl'or-
hood--showed all The young married women how
10 make soap, aud when they had bad hfek. made
every child in The house sit cross-egged until the
luck changed. In fine she was kind OF village
factoium-spent her time in going from house 10
house, grinding out grst Of SANDER TO each. as
occasion required, but always concluded, with The
way Of the iransgressor is hard poor Mrs A. or
B. Gas the case was) pity her from the bottom
or my heart, some such very soothing reflection.
Aunt Lizzy was always very fond OF asking stran-
gers aud others, without regard TO time or place,
the state Of their mind. how they enjoyed their
minds, &c. These questions were generally FOL.
lowee by a string Of scandal. which was calculated
10 destroy the peace and happiness Of some OF her
best neighbors and friends; but she, like other
nsFraors OF this kind. considered such intellectual
murder as either establishing her fair reputa-
iion or as the only mode Of entertaining the village
and thereby rendering her society agreeable.
On a 6ne summers afternoon as the Squire was
sitting near the Office door, smoking his pipe. Aunt
Lizzy was passing with great speed, Illuminating on
the news Of the day. when the Squire bro her sud-
denly TO. as the sailors say by what's your hurry,
Aunt Lizzy walk in. The old lady, who never
wanted second invitation, went into the Office.
aud the following dialogue was soon commenced ::
We'll, Squire p, have been thinking this az.
ternoon what useful man you might be, il you'd
only leave of your light conversations, as the good
book says, and become serious man-you might
be an ornament TO both church and state, as our
minister says
why, as to that, Aunt Lizzy. a cheerful conn
tenance consider as the best index OF grateful
heart, and you know what the Bible says ON the
subeci--'When re fast be not the HYPocRITEs
| of SAD counienance; but anoinl thy head aud
| WASH tiny FACE, (Aput Lizzy began TO feel for
her pocket handkerchief. for she was a taker Of
sNUFr) that ,hon appear NOR unto mea TO FAST
Now, there, Squire. that's Just what told you,
how you have The serfPfer at your tongues end;
what useful man you might be in your church. il
i you'd only be doer well as hearer Of the
word ~,
sAs to that Aunt Lizzy, don't see that your
professors as you call them, are whit better than
/ am, in priyafe--I respect sincere professor as
much as any man; but know enough Of one Of
your church, whom you think great deal Of to
know that she Is no bitter Man she should Der Al
these innuendoes, Aunt Lizzy's little black eye.
hogan to twinkle; she sat down beside the Squire
in order 70 speak in little lower tone, spread hc
handkerchief over her lap, and began to tap tn.
cover Of her snuff box in true STYLE and all thing
being in readiness for regular siege Of scandaluu
magna,um, she commenced ere. a M
Now Squire, want 10 know what you mean b
one Of our church know who you mean. III,
trollop, didn't like many carls about her head
when she told her experience. ,.ral
: The Squire finding that curiosity was putting hi
boots on had no occasion to add spurs 10 the heels
r for the old lady had in her head that was wort
both Of them. Accordingly he had no peace unit
he consented 10 explain what he meant by the ex
preston IN private; that was dear word wit
Aunt I.zzy.
Nov Aunt Lizzy, win you take bible oatl
that you will never communicaie what am abou
10 tell you. 10 living being and that you wi
keep il while you live a most invoIable secret
YES, Squire, declare won't never tell nobod
v nothing about il as long as breathe the breath
n life and III take bible oath on t. there sarlin
. live before you or any other magistrate IN tn
whole country
We'll, then, you know when went up 10 Boz
y ton year ago. M
u Eyes, yes, Squire, and know who went vii
i you. too; Susan D., and Dolly r., and her sisis
+ Never mind who went with me. Aunt Lizzy
g there was whole lot of passengers. But. but
e None Of your butts. Squre-out with il;
;, folks will act so--a trolop--'
But. Aunt I.izzy, rm afraid you'll bring me in'
e the scrape.'
+ I've told you over and over again, that nobod
J. ever shall know nothing about il, and your wi
a knows that amt leaky.'
d My wife | wouldn't have her know what a
e. going 10 tell you for The world why, Aunt Liza
ne If she should know it,
" well, lhen--if you mus, know it'll slept vii
one Of The likeliesi Of your church members near
n half the way up Y ~ w
d. Aunt Lzzy drew in long breath. shut up b
% snuff box, end put il in her pocket, muiter'ng
- herself
m sThe likeliest Of our church members
II thought il was Susan b., likeliesl this comes
pr being fiaiiered -atroop. Well, one thing knc
Of The way Of the Iransgressor is hard but no
to you'll never tell nobody ont, Squire for sartin
RI The word. IL such thing should be known, 0
p church would be scattered abroad like sheep vii
Do out shepherd
all In few minutes Aunt Lzzy took her dep
~ lnre giving The Squire another caution and a
20 wink, as she said good bye--let me alone for
~, crei.'
nv I, was no, many days before Squire P. recciy
~ very polite noie from Parson g. requesting h
~ to attend meeting OF lhe church and many Of
~ parish, al The south Conference ROOM in order
"a, settle some difficulties with Of the church me
',i bers, who 10 order TO clear up her character
IA qnested Squire 10 be present
~ ~ The pafson, who was very worthy man, kn
=" the irailty Of some OF the weak sisters, as Al
Lzzy called them. and was very particular iris
ne, OF Squire Prs, requested him 10 his note to
nothing Of il TO his vile; but the Squire took