Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-07-25

think Of Il trade. now sand tha millner, cast
ing gance Of sly rdcule at Miss Warner.
MIR Gilbert, of course will see YOU home
The blood burned in Lida'S cheek. but she
answered, with quiet dignity, that she wished
to see her mother alone.
'Then she s not out washing to-dayF inquir-
ed the miiner, with another covert look at
Gilbert and his companion.
Ida could not understand the low malice Of
the question, so she answered quietly that her
mother was at home, and left the party, when
they went toward the mllner's work-room.
The next morning the washerwoulan was at
our house very early--she wished to consult
with those who had been to consult with those
who had been kind friends to her, regarding
the strange proposal which her daughter had
received. Mr.. Gilbert had been at her house
the night before, she SAID, and every thing was
settled for wedding on the next CIV ening but
one.
OF course, no opinion could be given nftet
affairs had gone so far; So consonting that
the children might come to see Ida on her
wedding day our mother allowed the kind wo-
man to depart without expressing any Of the
misgivings that bcset her own mind.
Mr.. Gilbert drove by our house during the
afternoon and took the New Haven road The
Sc Und day from that we were permitted to visit
the washerwonan's house behind Castle Rock.
1t was bright day, and the little house
looked neat and cheerful we approached it,
/ through tootplth cut across the meadow, gol
den with buttercups and NOTED lilies. Ida
was gathering flowers from yard which sur
rounded the door in her dwelling and in few
moments we were busy US herself gathering
daisies from the meadow, and the wild honey
suckle from the rocks, which we brought down
in al1nSiul, and heaped on the doorstep ready
for use.
Before sunset. the widows house might have
been mistaken for sylvan lodge. it was so fra
grant with blossoms The whole dwelling
contained but three apartments-a kitchen, and
two small sleeping rooms but these were as
neat as human hands could make them. The
pine floors and splint chairs were secured as
white as it were possible for wood ID become
the little, old fashioned looking glasses were
crowned with asparagus branches, where the
red berries hung thick and bright as coral drops
along the delicate green spray the scant wins
dow curtains, of coarse but snow white muslin,
were festooned with wild blossoms and ground
pine woven tcgether-while in the spare bed
room was looped up to single wreath Of Wild
roses and sweet brier which filled the window
a delicious fragrance. On the little table, in
this apartment. stood Japan waiter. with a
dccanter of wine in the middle, surrounded by
spread over loaf Of cake close by. A dress
OF purest muslin lay upon a counte!pane Of old
; fashioned dnnty, that covered the bed like
sheet of snow.
We stood by while the old woman arrayed
7 her child for the bridal, and wondered why her
r hand should tremble so, and why the tears
should fill our Lida's eyes so constantly, when
!, she noticed her mothers agitation.
| 1t was scarcely dark when we aw party Of
! two ladies' and as many gentlemen, coming
! along the footpatl towards the house The wash
. crwoman closed the bed room door, and went
| ont to receive the quests. leaving Us with the
a bride. How beautiful and pure she looked in
the simple dress that had exhausted all the mo-
: ney which her mother had hoardcd up for the
winter in the purchase. The black hair which
1 she usually wore twisted in one heavy woor
e over her head, was now divided into three rich
braids. and knottcd together on one side. Just
i back of the ear, by single white rose. An
= other bud with the blush leaves lust bursting
a asunder, lay within the folds Of sheer muslin
e that covered her BOSOM When she placed 1t
j th,re Lidu's check grew pale and her hands
. began to trcmble, for that moment she heard
/ Glber'S ep in the next room, 1t was instant
| " drowned by the voices Of Miss Warner and
the millincr, both in high and cheerful convor,
|, satiur. The Solnd only caused our friend to
i nro the room, folded her in a kind embrace,
= and led her towards the young man who camo
i forward to receive her, II soft blush broke over
her cheek. and her fingers woyc themselves in
! his, confidently As il shc had nothing TO fear,
and yet could not help trembling all the time.
e Be kind to my child said the washcrw OMAN
i gently; when | was married to her father, h,
= was prosperous happy, and proud as YOU are.
= lie died and LETT me In poverty. His child has
, never heard harsh word beneath this humble
+ root be gentle to her as have been
g The old woman sat down, and, bending her
t head, began to smooth the folds of her faded
silk dress, aud thus she tried to conceal the tears
= that her own words had unlocked.
= G,lbc-, did not answer hut his cheek turned
shlde paler. and he bent his eyes almost stern
e " on the tive females who had urged him into
his present embarrassing position.
: The Young student arose. He had been
. wisely chosen by the poters, for never WAS
e clerical dignity more thoroughly put on. He
y looked serious and earnest enough to have de-
\ cclved more suspicious persons than Ida and
her honest hearted mother lie pronounced
t the ceremony with impressive so,emni,y so
y nmprcSSiv that Mrs. Warner and her compan-
% ION could hardly suppress their laughter at his
q successful acting,
t The young couple sat down. Ida. pale,
: confused ana trembling but Gilbert sat mo ,
tonless, and with his eyes bent Seldtlstly on
q the two females who were little nearer the
g door. They were whispering together. Miss
70 Warner seemed striving to suppress her mirth
Il uil the proper time, and slight giggle now
r and then broke from the nIlner at the exaui-
n site snCss of their Joke.
"a The waShcrwoman arose and brought the
cake and wine Ida could not taste drop,
. but she touched her lips TO the glass, while
: Gilbert drained his to the bottom The MILL
, ner was compelled to set her wine on IL table,
to conceal the laughter which shook her han /
while Miss Warner gracefully drank to the
. bride.
And now said the Young lady, setting down
; her glass AMI dusting the crumbs of cake from
her white gloves, aS our amusement is over for
the evening we will re,Gm home, if YOU are
ready, Mr. Gilbert
Ida lifted her eycS almost in terror to tho
; man whom she believed to be her husband,
l htln tho l..