Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-08-12
Select Gales.
THE TWO N|EIGHB0RS,
ny A. .. S.

New England village OF Wooahlll' tla" t"o
which Law, as they should, morally speaking, oP-
posite each other, in the centre of this quiet lit
tie town. IT'S true, both had not the same at
fractions, and yet the stranger, as he loltered by,
inyoluntarily paused a moment to lmbIbe the
sweet images of rural beauty and comfort they
both awakened in his mind; and it would not
be strange, as he passed the neat, but somewhat
timc-worn dwelling Of farmer Howell, If he
should coyet still another glance at the sunny
proved and rosy-cheeked damsel who sat at the
open window on a bright summers afternoon,
busily plying her needle, or perhaps braiding a
straw hat for her little brother, who meanwhile,
read aloud, as was the custom in this tlme-saVlng
community, subject to his sisters correction'
some useful and instructive book. There was
a quiet aspect of contentment and peace in the
maiden's eve, as she thoughtfuIly raised it, while
the p~asser's foot trod lightly the green sward be-
fore the gate, and then let it fall again TRANQUILITY
on her work, which gave a fresher charm to the
pleasant domiciI of which she was the pride and
blessing, and which suited we'll its general air
of snug repose. The house stood at a short
distance from the street, and was partially con
cealed by the sweeping foliage of two venerable
elms; the smooth, grassy lawn which partly sur
rounded it was dotted with shrubbery and fruit
trees, which gave good promise Of good things to
come; while in the rear lay a well arranged gar
den, which it was Susan's especial province to
superintend, The air Of perfect neatness in
front was in keeping with the premises in the
rear; barns and outbuiIdings always in repair;
everything betokening that honest farmer How
ell was well to do in the world, and meant to
keep so. And so he had been, till unfortunate
ly the period this little sketch of my old neigh
bors commences. His happy household was
thrown somewhat out of their calm routine of
life, by the tidings of the elder sons bankrupt
cy in New York, and the consequent loss of
their comfortable homestead, which the rather
ambitious father had given as security to his
sons partner for large amounts advanced to him.
After the first bursts of glief had subsidized, that
the home which had descended to him from his
fathers must now 90 into strangers hands, the
rood man submissiycly bowed to his allotment,
and looking about for the future, thanked Heav-
en- that no greater trouble had befallen him.
Within doors you could perceive no diminu-
ton of activity or cheerful hustle. The old
grandmother brought her chair a trife nearer to
the window, to aid the sight, which a few natu-
raj tears had d%immed, in decyphering more
readily the blessed pages which had been heI
guide, and was "his" before her, to the other
land; while good busting Mrs. Howell, having
lust dispensed with her "help," was up TO her
elbows in the numerous duties now d~evoIying
upon her-but not unaided, for, with the same
placid brow, which bespoke, as ever, the cheer
iul, loving heart, her only daughter now more
than ever busted herself, as occasion prompted
in every little mental office which could lighter
her mothers heavy cares, esteeming every duty
a delight in such service. How thankful now
was this worthy matron that she had trained her
child to every species of domestic effort, and
that each day she had demanded of her those
active efforts, which would inure her to any des-
tiny, however arduous, that might await her
Susan Howell had never known what it was to
while away the l~istless hours in %idIeness; every
day had its duties, and every hour was met by its
fulhlments. No small part of the household lin
en- was the product of her loom. She spun the
stocking yarn, and helped her grandmother to
knit it, braided her own and the straw hats for
the family, raised the chickens, cultivated the
finest flowers with all the zeal Of an amateur,
assisted in raising vegetables to send to the near
est market town, Surpassed her mother in the
mysteries Of the pastry and pudding line; and
when to these, and other accomplishments too
numerous to mention, we add that she found
time at home or at school for the study of an
the branches of good English education, witt
no mean acquaintance with French and Latin.
we may well say that Susan H.. had no idle, anC
consequently no dull hours. Her wise father
had assured her that in cultivating her mind she
was laying up resources not only for futnre hap
piness, but fitting herself for a higher position
than mere mistress of the useful and homely
to take her place one day among the matrons
of the land, to cast her weight into the balance
for the best good Of the community where she
might dwell. Does my reader ask, and how did
she accomplish so much, and still preserve the
rose of health, and the sunny smile of a light
hearth We answer, by paying due Difference
" hhS HIoS ouuSN3 IuNC ulC u VIC lllllultS,
and the hours will take care of themselves . and
by acquiring habits which made employment
natural to her, often saving half her time by an
early and systematic arrangement of the whole.
So lightly and SO galy had time bore her on
to her nineteenth summer, that Susan had hard
ly time TO dream her childhood had passed away
till awakened to the more sad and serious cares
Of life by her fathers misfortunes. As these
cares now fell more heavily upon her, she be.
stirred herself to greater diligence and %resolute.
ly denied herself her prolonged enjoyment of hel
books and flowers, and time cleaned from then
she found fully adequate to other emergencies
1t was well, perhaps, she had no time for person.
al regrets, or she might have missed the visits
she had began to anticipate Of the newly arrived
young physician, who somehow, had discovered
the vine clad portico at farmer Howell's, at once
the brightest and shadiest resort of an evening
which the village of Woodhill afforded. We
read not mems motives, gentle reader, but, fol