The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-08
CHAPTER VI.


the mountain, and our young friends from
Mrs Middlefed's were invited TO Join the
party.
Upon the appointed morning they were all
up with the birds, and long ere the sun had
peeped nbovethe misty mountain top, the
| party had set forth, taking with them boun-
liiul supply of refreshments, as it was their
intention 10 pnss the day upon the summit.
poor Mrs Mi,Idefield 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, Il had no idea could miss the
silly young things so much.
Fact, dey do hab dreadful tnkin' ways,
missus, for snrtin, specially Miss Lila and
massa Charles, tooP
At length the morning wore away, and the
hour of noon brought welcome respite 10 the
Iaborer. The good old lady now busted her.
sell in milking preparations for the return of
the mountain party, all Of whom she had in
| vited to pass the evening at her house, al
though it would be several hours ere she
could expect them. She was suddenly inter
rupted in her lubors by the stopping of the
stage at her gate, from which nephew Lincoln
| alightcd.
The old lady, while she cordially welcom-
ed hlm,could not help chuckIing at the game
which she had assisted to play well knowing
/ lllul On IIOSlOD oil wrath must soon UlSlulD lle
present calm.
and so Lila has gone frolcking,' said Mr.
Lincoln, evidently pleased. well! well! that
is right, but how is she, aunt? DO you think
she is well?
20, perfectly well, and as happy as the day
is long,
'is she never low spiritrd?'
Dear me, no. Why have another young
friend staying with me too aud assure you
they are inscpnrable; they read together, walk
together, sing together, and
Il am glad of it, glad of it,uunt,' interrupted
Mr. Lincoln, rubbing his hand with pleasure,
'Who is this young lriend?
'One whom love, nephew, equally with
your daughter. Perhaps you will be surpris-
ed when tell you mean to make this per-
son my heir. To he sure, TO be sure, you
are my nearest relative, but then you are rch
ard do not need any more, so have already
made my will, bequeathing all / possess to
one whom am sure deserves it,
Il am glad of it, said Mr. Lincoln, again.
'We always supposed, it is true, that Lila
would be your heir, but she will be rich
without it, aunt, and if you have found one
who needs it, and deserves it,why hope you
will give it to her.
Her, Why, bless you, nephew, there is no
her about it, it is fine young man whom /
shall make my heirn
what! what! A young man! So, I've sent
my daughter to your roof to keep her from
one rash fellow, and here she finds another.
don't like this at all; if recollect, too, you
said that they were inscparable?
'Ycs the dear ciriidrenn
Reading, riding, walking, singing! Here
will be another fuss, for ought know, worse
than the otherp
| q shouldn't wonder, they seem much at
| tached.'
l. Il Al Il.
you have performed your trnst? Why was /
not informed of what has been going oil?
Why wasn't written to? Aunt, aunt; 1 am
sorry TO say, nothing but your sex and age
prevent my being very rude
Stop, nephew, and hear mel said the old
! lady. Il can readily pardon you passion; for
he that will sacrifice the happiness of his
child 10 crafty his own ambition, will be gull
| ty ofany mcanucss! What right have you
! Erastus Lincoln, to exercise your arbitrary
will over the happiness ofany human being?
You have toied for riches, and they are yours;
and what use do yon make of them? You
crush your daughters heart beneath them,
and you would rather rear n splendid monu-
ment 10 her memory, than TO give her poor
but deserving young man"
Stop, aunt, You 90 too far! God knows ]
love my dear I.illun
| Lore her Yes, you would lore TO see her
the wife Of some gilded fool, whose brains
You could hod on Il siXpence. You could
watch her cheek pniing, her form wasting,
her step becoming daily mere languid, and
her sweet voice more faint. This you could
see with satisfaction, because she had not
married beneath her. as you please to term
it. Yes, follow her to an early grave, the
martyr ofyour love- and then so down un-
weptt 10 your own
'Aunt you wrcag me-
do |? Then clasp your daughter, your
Lila, to your bosom, and give her TO Charles
Sedly.'
Charles lSeIly Do you know him?'
q know him 10 he one ofIhe mobiles: of men;
he it is who will he my heir. He loves Lila,
and most truly does Lila return his love;nnd
I tell you, Lincoln, ifyou separate this youth
fiIl pair, what you do shall rise up against you
at the bar ofiudgment, and brand your soul
with MURDER
Mr. Lincoln made no reply, but hurried
forth into the piazza i'll great agitation.
How can get up on the mountain, aunt?
said he, about half an hour after, putting his
head into the window.
'Do you wish to go up there, nephew?
q do.'
sVerv well, then will have the chaise and
go with you to the foot of the mountain, and
there wait your return .. Il
The old fashioned chaise was now brought
TO the door, and aunt anu 'eph1" WIZ SUN
Jogging cocily along through tue meadows,
not word hopping out the whole distance,
relative to Charles and Lila. .-1.r -
Beneath the shade of the beautiful trees, 4
on the fresh untrodden grass, the merry
mountain party had spread their cloth. The
baskets were unaden of their tempting con-
tents; and seated around, some on the trunks
of trees, some upon moss covered rocks, and
others reclining on the rich green swHrd, the
laugh and the song went round, making the
old woods echo with n Joyous mrth. 81. b. /