The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-03-14

my scattered wits to say anything pretty to
her bright eyes, but one little spool was so con-
siderate as to roll apart from the rest, and, it
being the last of the group, our hands met up
on it. Thrilled by the touch, looked up in
to her eyes, as for a moment, they were turn
ed towards mine. Kind thoughts travel
quick between young hearts, and, though she
turned hastily away saw smile dimpe her
flushed check. Tie next instant she was
gone. The victor had fed, and the vanquished
held the field.
The next morning the wind was in the
south, and, sportsman like, rose before the
day. But clouded skies had lost their charm.
There had been anarchy IN my dreams, anda
revolution in my brain. King Nimrod had
abdicated, and Cupid, the sanS-cuiote, had as
sumed the directorate picked a flint, and
then my teeth. / snooded hook, and caught
my thumb. put on my my hunting toggery,
and put il of again, and went back to my bed,
and lay, half dreaming, half thinking Of Gotta
res in the green wood and Kate Russell in
muslin, of palaces IN the city and Kate Rus
sci in satin, of affairs and flames, and arrows &
rings; till, at sound of bell, | rose up, deter
mined to leave birds TO their boughs and fishes
TO their brooks, and to look on Kate Russell a.
gain with all speed.
Now there would have been nothing improp-
er in my walking over to the Colonel's, and in
Producing myself ike gentleman. But round
about WAYS are natural to lovers. and round
about way | naturally took. l knew that
Frank had warned the Colonel of our coming,
and trusted that his friendship had painted
me in winning colors. | had brought with me,
for evening reading, the first edition of the
Lady of the Lake" then fresh from the press;
and, having inscribed on the blank page,
kate Russell, from her cousin Frank" in
Franks own sprawling hand, l made dash
for the camp. Fortune was in love with me,
and met Kate where we had parted. 1 in
troduccd myself, saying that | came with bet
ter auspices than before, for brought with me
gift from her cousin, which he had charged
ne to deliver Immediately
lie could not have sent a letter Of introduce
ton more fairly writ" said she, land l have
been longing for this book for weeks. But
how did Frank ever dream Of doing so pretty
thing?"
Ib!ushed at my poor trick.
.Perhaps Franks friends are blessed with
better taste" continued she. ''But pardon me
for OBTAINING you here. The minstrel makes
me forget all courtesy. You must let me lead
YOU TO our house. My father will be most
happy to welcome a friend of our dear cousin
TO the Old Colony
At the house found Col. Russell, who greet
ed NE with that warm, yet stately courtesy
which has so poor substitute, either in prim
GOODNESS, or the blunt familiarity of our parve
nus-a courtesy in whose presence neither
rudeness nor diilidence could exist, 4 courtesy
which both conferred and commanded respect.
The Old lady was one of those who never lose
the kindliness & vivacity of youth; enc Of Cole
ridges dear old souls" and, to all, that was
he friend of their relative, seemed sufficient
reason for the warmest kindness.
The Colonel reproarhed me for not coming
directly TO his house, and nothing would atone
FOR the fault but that nv trunks should forth
with be brought, and | became one Of the
household.
Thus, kind reader, thou hast the beginning
and the end of my wooing. How it sped, and
how much the tale of Malcolm and Ellen had
to do with opening Rates heart, and how,
when and where, the sweet confession was
tempted from her ripe lips, are secrets not TO
be told even to thee Yet let me warn thee,
fair one. if thou wouldst not easily be won, to
beware how,a twilight,in the lisit ming woods,
lho1 nearest that tale from Il young man. lips,
or flee, ere "with deep and low and pleading
Tone he reads
Ills chain of gold the king unstrung-
The links DER Malcolm's neck he flung
Then gently drew the giittcring band,
And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand"
If he be of mortal mould, he cannot but
press thy hand somewhat meaningly, as he
clese the book, and the same thoughts will be
in both your hearts, and thou wilt find it hard
to say him NAY"
Two months had passed over me miserable,
and IJiad heard 10 word Of Kate. had tried
to write to her, but my heart had failed me,
and, at length, | had taken philosophy to my
bosom, and comforted my self with wise saws,
and laid an embargo on all thoughts of love. 1t
was the day before Christmas, and sat drown
ing nv sorrows in the bowl-of my meer-
schaum, when Frank Russell burst into my
room.
s.What makest thou here from Gotham,
Francisco"
Much good it does, Harry, to send you to
a pretty girl-that yellow amber pleases you
more than the reddcst lips in the Bay State:
Imeant for you to marry Kate Russell. and
here you sit, putting your COMPOUNDED Turks
head; and because you are laggard at WOO
ing. Kate must be sacrificed to a noodle.
Not TO be married. said |, with vigorous
puff.
Something very Ike it, or there's no mean
ing in white ribbons tomorrow night,
TOO. But what are you blushing at, man
That's new trick you've learned. POUNDS,
but YOU are in love with her. Why didn't You
tell her so? A girl that would marry Bill
James at fortnight's notice, would Jump Ike
a trout at a comely fellow like you. Was your
modesty your bane, or did'ntthc old gentleman
take to you, or do you shoot her chickens
Come, confess"
But confess Iwould not Much as l needed
counsel, knew that Frank was to be trusted
with nothing less secret than an advertisement.
He urged me to 90 TO Plymouth with HIM in
the morning, and willing to give up anything
that l might be left alone, consented.
Little pleasure was there in my lonely
thoughts. ! tried to find comfort in rejecting
how unworthy Kate must be of my love, If, so
soon, she could take another to her heart. But
it was all in vain; that sweet face would still
come back TO me, laden with love, as of old;
L q