The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-09-01

sat, tossing pebbles into Lake
George, on fine summer morning in
Junc-twenty odd years ago-say a.
bout the introduction of the black era
vat and the beginning of the reign of
king William. The ripples just feath-
cred with the wind and no more. A
swan with his wings spread would have
rounded the point of Isle Diamond In
half an hour---a standard mile. 1t
was il other respects as lovely morn,
ing as the lark at heavens gate ever
heralded.
What a fairy boat She shot
suddenly ont from small cove above
mc-a white. slender aerial thing, with
a deep green band through her waist,
her sails snowy and all set. and pink
strcamer from either mast running
away in long curves from the wind.
and Haunting most gracefully. At her
helm sat lady, and as | caught a
glimpse of dark eye under her bon
net, she leaned forward Just so far as
to show an exquisite figure in relief,
and putting down the tiller, ran right
for the point where was sitting. A
minute more, and the sharp bow grated
on the pebbles, and the shadow of the
little topmast passed over my feet. !
rose and looked around for the object
of their visit. Twas on the bank alone
no one within sight-what could
they mean by running down upon me
so pointedly. Before l had time to
wonder twice, young man, Of sixteen
apparently, who had been hid from
view by the main-sail, leapcd ashore
and raised his hat with a very courtc-
Gus " good morning"
You seem to be alone, sir? will
you honor us with your company up
the lake ~
Certainly, sir-with all my heart
-but-but and, as | hesitated, l
looked inquisitively at an elderly gen.
tleman who had risen from the wind
ward seat in the stern, and stood look
ing at us with a smile.
"My sons invitation is rather
abrupt, SIR said he, bowling in an
swcr to my look, "but beg you viii
accept it Notwithstanding, We arc
losing the morning breeze-will yor
step on board"
A single leap and my foot was Oh
the taferel.
-" Stopn' said the lady, springins
up from the tiller, and motioning nj
back with her hand-(her voice wai
enough to set you dreaming the res
of your lfe)-" one condition-as
ran the shallop down for you withou
permission of these two gentlemen
(who by the way have the honor t.
stand for my father and brother,)
claim the right to make it. Do yor
agree ?"
She nodded to us all-and | bowe,
my assent.
4" We are bound to some one of thes
lovely islands-as far up as the win
will take us-to idle away the day
You, sir, addressing me, } are to hav
the honor of my society and specia
, protection as commander of the boat
I till set you on this bank again q
e sunset promising, however, befor
d these gentlemen, that you will ask u
D no personal questions whatever durin
the voyage, and make no inquiries {
our name and whereabout after yo
have left us. This sacrifice of curio;
ity l consider necessary to my maid
enly delicacy-otherwise compromise
perhaps by this whimsical assault "
on a stranger"
), l had been left at the hotel thi
# morning by large party, who, aft(
coming down the lake in the steam
} boat-thirty miles through the rail
i and all the time passed in the cabin
were content to rise at daylight an
5 take coach for the Springs, witho'
waiting even an hour or two to see Il
t most beautiful sheet of water in Il
. world by sunshine. | had been hu
n \ ried from Niagara, and dragged pa
: the Thousand Isles, and deprived
all but a mere glimpse of Montmore
ci-but to leave Lake George IN SUI
grocer's hurry-without touchiT