Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-02-11
From tss P-oqlss Journal
HARRY SMITHS C0URTSHIP.

or all the fair maidens who danced on the
green on that smiling May day, not one was
50 much admired as Mary Fielding. Not
that she was any prettier than the rest, for
many were far pretiier than she; but who
looked so sweet. so gentle, and at the same
time so sensiblel Harry Smith, the gar
dener. who had come from The nursery gar
dens five miles of, and who had neser seen
her before. thought decidedly, mot one"
He had danced with her once, and when he
sat down, he was content TO remain sitting,
to look al her as she was dancing with some
one else. And he thought he would like to
dance with her again, and he did dance
with her again; aud not only that, he re-
manned by her side long time afterwards
when she was not dancing so that many OF
the pretty coquettes too, who would so have
liked the handsome young gardener for a
partner, became quite envious Of Mary's
good fortune
The next Sunday, when Mary was sitting
in the pew at church and not thinking OF
anything but her de, lotions, she happened
once TO raise her eyes from her prayer-book,
and behold, there-not very far from her
was this same young gardener looking at her.
There must have been something particular
in his look, for Mary's eyes were immedi-
aiely ayerted from it, the color rose to her
cheek, and she was so very sinful as 10 have
wandering thoughts during all the res, OF
the service. On coming out, there he was
al the porch, waiting to speak TO her; and
though she had her little brother for an
escort, he actually walked on with her near
ly all the way home. OF course she could
not help il. She could not tell him that
she needed no other companion than the
one she had.
Next Sunday il was the same, and the
next, and the next after that. II was a pity
her father, whose somewhat corpulenl habit
kept him at home, flor it was that, he al
ways avowed. which made him unable to 90
to church, did not know what was going
on. The secret was soon made known 10
him however. One evening the good far
mer was sitting as usual in his chimney cor
ner, enjoying the blaze Of roaring fire
Mary was moving abou, gently-she did
every thing gently-preparing The supper.
Her Thoughts were evidently not with her
employment. Even the somewhat obiuse
farmer could see that, when she placed his
great tankaTd of ale before lille Jack, aud
gave Jacks portion of milk porridge to
himself "Why. Mary. my girl, )" he cried
with hearty laugh. "any one would take
you to be ia love !"
And how do you know she isn't, replied
Jack promptly, and looking very sly. 81
know know something"
"And what do you know, my little mau p
said the farmer, pnliing his sons head en-.
couragingly.
"Why know who she's thinking OIL
know; It's Mr. Smith,"
"And hos Mr. Smith :" said the farmer
"Why, he's from Evans's nursery gar.
dens, and he comes home with us ever,
Sunday from church"
Here was a disclosure Poor Mary,
cheek burned But this was not the worst
Indeed, she was rather glad that her faith.
er should have some idea of what was going
on.
"Smithi" exclaimed the farmer. "What
Harry Smith. one of Eyans's gardeners.
know him, and pretty fellow he is. L
Mary's in love with him, she must get oul
Of love as fast as she can; for It's no credit
TO any young woman to be in love with I
drnnkard like that"
Mary felt suddenly very faint, but sh.
was able 10 smile and 10 say, in a Cheerful
kind Of tone,
"lt's all Jacks nonsense, father; dom
thiUk nothing about IT,"