The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1853-01-08
From Peter>on's Magazine.
THE LILY OF L........
A STORY OF NEW YEARS EVE.

STORY OF NEW YEARS EVE.
Never shall | forget the last New Years
Eve | passed in the village of D. Ev
en- at this day, the strange and terrible event,
which has impressed inielibIy upon my soul
the memory of that light haunts nv imaeina-
ton in the dark mid-winter hours, and not
unfre1uently disturbs my dreams. | have
often thought it singular that it is only at the
close of the year-in the dull and drearv De-
cember-that these recollections force them
selves upon me with degree of force. 1t
must be something in the association of the
season with the incident Whatever it NAV
be, 1t is that s""'efhing which impels me at
this moment to look back with memory fresh
and strong to that fearful night, and relate its
story.
1t was the night of the thirtv-frst of De
cembcr. There was to be Grand ball at
P. a village eleven miles from l.:
youth and pleasure meeting to dance at the
funeral OF the old year, and TO welcome with
hilarious mlrth the birth of the new.
A considerable party of young people in
l., early made preparations to attend
this ball. Twas one of the company of six
genh'men-aS bows advanced in their teens
1 a. n hr l,l H.
sleigh, to be drawn by four splendid black
horses, and to be driven by the celebrated
horSe-tamcr, r, $50 well known in l.
and who may be still living there) whose ser.
vices We considered ourselves fortunate in
having secured
1t was Just seven o'clock in the evening.
when F. having faithfully picked up our
party IN different parts of the village, We set
out from L. The air was bitter cold ::
the glowing considerations twinkled with un-
surpassed brllian"y in the clear, frosty sky :;
the crisp cracklcd and shrieked beneath the
hoots of the horses and the runners of the
sleigh; and the chime of the bells filled the
air
We were merry party; and on setting
ont, every heart beat in joyful unison with
the chime of the bells. Well provided with
straw and "butiaocs," we deiicd the cold.
and only laughed the loudc. when WE felt
the frost spirit tin.ling in our fingers and
toes. and ma!iciously attacking our faces.
Having been disappointed in not being able
to obtain for companion the Young queen
of my heart-who had cruellv engaged her
sell Tor another scene of pleasure, although
she knew expected her to 90 with me to
the ball, was the bachelor of the company;
all my companions being provided with part
ncrs. 10 conceal the aching void in nv heart
assumed an exceeding gayetv, and declared
myself happy in my liberty, since it afforded
me an oppor unity to try my skill in driving
four IN hand E accommodated me with
the reins. and used them so as to command
his appreciation, and at the same time to ex
cite emulation in the hearts of one or two O..
my companions.
When was too cold to enjoy driving anv
longer, | crept into the body of the sleigh, in
the midst of the buffaloes and straw which
enveloped the party and William t.
proposed to take my place.
'No-lo not, William heard his partner
say, in a bcSeeching voice.
This was Lizzie Lord-who will not blush
now to see her name written in full. With
the exception of my perfdious Mary, looked
upon Lizzie as the most charming girl in our
village. She was then sxteen-tal, slender,
graceful-in short, the most perfect lily ev-
er beheld. My Mary was rose Had pre-
terred lilies to roses, mi ght have preferred
Lizzie to Mary. AS it was, thought her
without an equal in beauty and grace-with
one exception.
William was Lizze's beau. They we're
quite devoted to each other, and uuarrelled
Often enough for their friends to suppose
tn was great deal of Jealous love on both
sid They had had some sort of misunder
staI ng that evening William had been
sonr'Shat too attentive to some other fair
one and Lizzie's feelings had been hurt.
IL night have been as much spite as emu |
iaflon otmy driving, which prompted William
TO volunteer to take the reins
As aid before, Lizzie begged him not to
change lis scat. lie was by her side of
course. !
why not?' he asked.
'Oh aid Lizzie, i am so cold But 90
II you iISe,' she added in trembling voice.
suppase William was ashamed then to
yield
Are yop cold ? he asked, somewhat ear
nestly. he added quickly, in gayItone,
t nyseIf-
We'll d will keep you warm He un-
derstands It, Ha ha do your duty Fred
And William took his seat with the driver.
sat down by Lizzie's side. Too gallant to