The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-10-06

throwing his trout upon the grass, enter
cd Immediately. and contrivcd to make
himself so exceedingly agreeable during
the half hour that he remained that Liz
zie quite forgot her scruples of propriety
in regard to strangers, talked and laugh
ed. excrtcd all her entertaining powers,
and made herself fully as agreeabloa as he
did When he at length rose to take
leave, he expressed his pleasure at the
acquaintance, and his hope of continuing
it,
1t was singular that after this, Lizzie
never walked in the grove, at what
ever hour it might, be without meet
ing the singing master, and he al
ways considered it his duty to escort her
home, and invariably came in when arri-
we'd there In those calls he seemed to
take no note of time, but stayed most
uncomfortable while. Soon the young
lawyer, much to his chagrin, was left in
the lurch, and Mr.. Sumner generally ac-
companied Lizzie from the singing
school The beaux were indignant at
this monopoly, the bellies regarded her
with cnvious eyes. The dcacon's wife at
last thought it incumbent on her to call
on Miss Henderson, and show her the
impropricty of her conduct Mr.. Sum
ncr was there when she arrived. but af-
ter he left, she proceeded to business,
and came away with the sclfapproving
feeling that she had done her duty. bat
feared that she had made 10 impression
on the wilful young school-mistrcss.
There was to be grand picnic among
the youthful portion Of the village The
idea was started by some Of the most
energetic, and a meeting was held by
the young men to canvass the matter,
and make preparation The affair was
to come off in the woods several miles
from town, and each gentleman was to
drive a young lady to the scene of the
rovcls. Mr.. Sumner was away on the day
of the meeting, and knew nothing of it,
and Mr. Abel Sampson, who regarded
him since his appropriation of Lizzie in
no favorable light, determined to take
advantage Of his rival, which he accor-
DINGHY did, and was in high glec at his
good fortune.
The day of the picnic arrived, and
Abel Sampson. looking the picture Of
happiness. dashed through the village in
a bran now patent leather buggy, driving
a spirited horse, with his pretty compan-
ion by his side. All arrived at the scene
of their amucsoments, and the sport com
mcncod. Various games were proposed;
Hunt the Slipper, Blindman's Buff, Fox
and Geese. etc. and enjoyed with a zcst
rarely seen in the refined pleasures in
cities
The afternoon wore away. and no Au-
gustus Sumner appeared. 1t was whis-
pered that his absence was occasioncd
by disappointment in being deprived of
Esther Hendcrson's society; but what
ever the reason, lie hid not show himself
OH the picnic ground that day. and Liz
zie, Notwithstanding, was in high spirits
Never had she been so charming she
joled with one, laughed with another,
firted with all, and lavished upon Abel
Sampson her most brilliant smiles. lie.
poor man, thought the tables were tur-
ming in his favor; his rival was out of
the way-had fairly abandoned the field
and left the path of victory open to him
The moment was most auspicious he
fortified himself with the idea that faint
heart never won fair lady" determined
to make desperate effort break the ice,
and that afternoon should decide his
fate
While apart, pondering upon these
things, The festivities were going on and
as Abel made his resolution, he heard
dance proposed, and rushed forward to
secure the pretty schoolmistress for
partner. but she was not to be found. She
had disappeared and no one knew where
she had been missing for some time, but
was supposed to be with him, and they
had not taken the trouble TO hunt for
her. Abel was like one distracted he
prosecuted the search in every direction,
bnt could find no trace Of the absent one
lie had wandered long distance from
the party, looking diligently for the dam
sell and was about retracing his steps in
despair, when he espied delicate glove
upon the grass; he knew it in a moment,
for like Cinderella's slipper, there was
but one whom it would fit. Esther, then,
had passed that way. He seized it, and
continuing his course at last caught a
glimpse of a white dress through the
trees; he pushed on, and saw sight
that transfxod him with horror, and fair
ly made him tear his hair with anguish
His dream of happiness faded-his cas-
ties in the air were levelled at a touch.
There was the lady of his heart, in
deed, but not alone; the elegant Angus
tus Sumner was gracefully kneeling at
her feet and holding in his that small
white hand, which Abel so short time
previously had cherished such hopes of
possessing and what made it still more
unbearable, Lizzie did not seem in the
slightest degree offended at such liber-
ty, blushed smiled, and murmured some
thing Abel did not stay to hear what,
but darted through the woods like fash,
not back to the merry company, but the
nearest road to the village.
Thus abandoned, Lizzie was obliged to
return with Mr.. Sumner, and did not
seem inconsolable at the exchange. Soon
the attention of the whole village was
engrossed by the approaching marriage
of Esther Henderson to Augustus Sum
ner, The good people of Stanton had
but few topics to discuss, and such an oc
currence as this was a glorious windfall
to them 1t was the point of debate at
all tea parties, sewing circles, and other
gatherings The great imprudence of
our young friends was commented upon
aud severely censured. Esther Hender-
son, for accepting poor adyenturcr