Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-03-29


unnecessary as they were unheard of.
Among these, the children of Dame
Blanch stood pre-emnent for neatness and
good behaviour. The clear eyes of the
mother were alive with affectionate interest
in all their childish movements, and her
own staid, gentle demeanor infused an I'M
failing element of harmony. Tall and slen-
der, her habitual attention to the wants of
those about her, had given a slight stoop to
her shoulders, not unbecoming, while the
motions of her hands were of that wavy,
directing kind, which we sometimes see in
the old paintings, and which springs natur-
ally from the habits Of authority gently ex-
ercised.
She stood now in her loose morning robe,
Just within the hall, and her maidens were
! passing back and forth taking the necessary
orders for household labor. Pans and milk
pals glanced BY, intermingled with the
swing of short petticoats, and the liberal
CLEANS of tidy ankles. A pretty Dutch
damsel, with smart foot and coquettish
bodice, was counting out skeins of linen for
the loom, which hung partly upon hers, and
partly upon the arms of Dame Blanch.-
The mother welcomed her son with bright,
heretofore, she counted the remaining skeins
and gave them into the hands of the pretty
Gertrude, who dropped a courtesy, which
threw the brief skirt into some action, and
then disappeared. Mother and son now ell
tered the room together.
II have come, dear mother" began the
youth, =" only to say good morning. | must
within an hour, be on my way to Morris
town, carrying dispatches for the Comman-
der-in-chieE"
The mother laid her hand tenderly upon
the shoulder of her son, and was silent.
" | may be gone few days, and l may
not return till the movements of the army
decide upon further measures" continued
the youth.
"That is, my son, till some decisive bat
tie shall determine the fate of the country"
returned the mother
Blanch's silence gave the assent, and she
laid her hand upon the shoulder of her child
Banch felt her trembling pulsations, and
that, slight as was the external manifesto.
tion it told of deep and intense anguish
She at length raised her head.
81 am proud, Wendell, of the favor
shown you by the good General, but in or
der to merit it do not risk too much life
SOL
Her voice ceased, and the sentence re.
NAMED incomplete, but the young man knew
what was meant by the tears that fell upon
his shoulder, and which the thin dress OF
the season rendered papable.
Country and friends, dear mother" re-
turned Banch, after pause; L" | feel as il
all that | can do, to yield my life even, were
nothing to honor the one and prove my wor.
thiness of the other"
A warm pressure of the mothers arms
was the only response. AT this moment the
horse of Wendell was brought to the door
and she lifted her head
Go, my son, and God be with YOU" she
whispered, not daring to trust herself Will
another look at his face.
Blanch was soon in the saddle, but as he
turned away from the house, his horse Stun
bled. Lord mercy, massa, don't you
60" cried Jake, the black attendant. "The
horse feel ll-luck, oh, CORY, massa, wait :;
and running on before, the good fellow went
through variety of gesticulations designed
to avert any evil influence that might be in
reserve. Gaily waving his hand, and waiv.
ing kisses to the little ones whose heads
now appeared at the various dormer win
dows, and whose little voiceS called him tc
return, he rode away. Passing down the
principal street, it was natural that he should
glance at the windows of old De Witt as
he went by. To his surprise Mistress Ka-
trina was leaning from her chamber lattice
humming gay air, as if all the world were
as merry as herself.
Blanch inclined himself from his saddle
and was about to pass on, when she accost
ed him.
How far do you ride, Mr.. Blanch, 81
bright and early! Wait bit, aud l vii
have my pony and try race with you"
Before he had time to reply, she dartet
away, and in moment more was standing
under the stoup, her light aaxen curs toss
ed by the fresh morning air, and her cheek
into which the color of the peach glowed
and now flushed by coquettry, or it nigh
have been a deeper feeling, the hue invaded
for a moment brow and neck.
81 fear cannot share your race th
morning." said Banch. 81 am ordered
upon service which admits of no delay"
"And pray, where do go, Mr.. Blanch
that you claim the right of incvility to
: lady"
pardon me Miss De Witt, my time j
not my own now--it is pledged to the ser
vice of my country; but at some future da.
may not claim the promise of morning
ride with you p
The maiden slightly elevated her eye
brows and tapped her foot lightly upon thu
step, as she replied
"In good faith Mr. Wendell, / neve
know any thing beyond the present momen
which find abundantly pleasant" Their
was a roguish smile mingling with thes
words which induced the young man to dis
mount, and more than this to take the han
of the little lady which he carried to hi
lips.
"WelI, and where do you carry that fin
I horse of yours, good hunter, noble hunter,
, and she lavished endearments upon tn
r horse as if to provoke the spleen of its mas
ter. "Neow don't take him down
: camp" she laughed, her silvery accent al
: suming nasal twang, species of mimlci
ing, which could sit well only upon prett
3 woman. Even this grated upon the ears {
' her lover, who turned almost coldly away
!. 81 must not wait here, Miss Katrini