Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-09-02
GREEN MOUNTAIN FREEMAN.

TO DeGu Il etl dASOi'
Day after day passed in varied amusements,
but Victor was ever by her side, and she thought
not of the fight of time, till one morning about
three weeks after their arrival, Henry Percy an
rounced his intention to return home. Laura
might have heard this announcement with regret
had il not been for another that accompanied
it A party of friends from Philadelphia, whom
they had met at Saratoga, with some of their
acouantances and Victor Summerville, were to
accompany them and spent short time at heiI
country seat before returning to their own homes.
Reader, didst ever sail down the Hudson in
one of those floating palaces that pursue then
way over its waters If so, then wilt thou sym
pathize with our travellers in their expressions
of delight, as they surveyed the beauty of the |
river and its shores. The white sails of the
sloop in brilliant contrast with the blue waters or
dark hills beyond, were pleasing to the eye, and
as they looked far down the river, seemed in the
distance like foam specks upon the water The
luxurious furniture of the rich saloons seemed
to blend the repose- of the drawlng-room with
the pleasures Of the voyager, and our party en-
loved their sail like experienced travellers. Some
times they walked upon the upper deck, to view
the full prospect, and then, when the rays OF the
sun became oppressive, returned to the saloon
1t was decided as the boat did not land near
their residence, that they should stop at West
Point, and remain till the following day, when
a smaller boat would convey them to the place
of their destination.
We will not follow them through their wan
behring's in that time honored spot, for It's tamil
lar ground to every traveller in that region, nor
will we tell how Henry Percy turned away from
the revolutionary tales of the party to listen to
a genter theme from the lips Of fair maiden
by his side nor how, as her little hand rested
f upon his arm, he forgot all else but her. and
f even the coquetry of Laura was unnoticed A
lovely, womanly creature was Mary Graham,
and in the refreshing atmosphere of her unstud-
, led artlessness, he forgot the prejudices he had
imblbed against the sex. Her mother had been
an intimate friend of Mrs Percy, in their school
DAYS, and though after their marriage the former
5 removed to Philadelphia they had not lost trace
! of each other, and the families had frequently
. visited each other on terms of friendship and
f intimacy. Henry had always admired Mary as
fl lovely child, for she was several years his jun
5 ior, but when he saw her at Saratoga, retaining
as the graceful maiden, the same traits which he
had admired in the child he began to admire
her with deeper feelings She was in almost
every respect the opposite Of Laura. Her gold
en- ringlets and mild blue eyes did not contrast
d more widely with the raven locks and black eyes
Of the latter, than did her warm, affectlonate
, temperament, with their stern unbendng pride
that was expressed in their every glance. She
d possessed but a small share of the accomplish
= menls and attanments Of Laura, and was one
vi fitted to win the love of those who knew her
r well, rather than 10 captivate the fancy of q
: stranger. 1t was her modesty and unobrusye
d charms that won the heart of Henry Percy anC
h he was already dreaming of the light which hel
J presence would throw around his home, if he
l. could win one so good and beautiful for hi
d bride, and wondering how that home would ap
f, pear to her. The dwelling of Mrs. Percy wa
h one of the most picturesque residences to b.
found on the shores Of the Hudson. TWAS sit
n uated on the eastern shore, but short distance
e from the river, and opposite the Palisades.
d was an Old stone building half buried anon!
n the foliage of trees more aged than itself A
x bove each outer door was a porch supported b
b pillars, and halt concealed by the uxuriou
lie growth of honey.suckles which filled the of
e. mansion with their fragrance On the mort
e side of the house, was the garden, on an emi
ID nence attained by means of regular steps GOV
s. cred with fresh grassy turf 1t was divided int
W different sections by hedges of box, the growt
ut of many years, and trimmed with such exactnes
W that they formed mpervious masses of green, a
p regular in form and height as wall could b
r constructed. On the South was road eadin
to the river, and bordered on either side by
n. row of aged locusts or elm-trees. On the we
I'd side fronting the river was an apartment tn
nv floor and sides of which were formed Of regul;
ly blocks of granite, and the roof supported b
lis massive pillars of the same. This apartmel
yh commanded beautiful view of the river as i
til waves rolled On to the ocean, bearing their vare
d. freight upon their bosom.
is This dwelling had been erected before II
in Revolution and though slightly modernized
ny its last poSscssors, still seemed as relic of
i'll age that had passed away. 1t was glance
admiration that the party bestowed upon it
re they first obtained view OF it from the rive
r. and they were still more pleased with its beaut
ed as they walked through the grounds. They ha
- anticipated much pleasure during the visit, an
is day after day they found that their dreams wei
'ir more than realized. Rides, sailing partie
tie walks about the grounds, and rambes on Il
or beach by moonlight, whjIed away the hours t
k, three weeks had flown. The party were to leav
If for their homes and on the night preceedlr
he their departure they gathered for the last time
On the parlor which had been the scene Of so muC
i'll enjoyment during their stay. With the plea
nd ures of the evening were blended sad though
lg of parting yet there was gay music and Il
he voice Of song. Victor had been the consta
lg attendant of Laura during their walks and ride
er and now when they we're so soon to be separate
lir he felt that he could not leave her without a