Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-05-04

life as sort Of ordeal through which
, II was necessary 10 pass. before they
could come out as young ladies and
, spent their time in novel reading,
trusting to chance, or cheating, for
the manner in which they should &C
: quit themselves in the class
Lucy applied herself intensely,
and soon ou,s,ripped all in her class
} es, and was obliged to so on with
her studies by herself. At every ex-
animation she was the observed Of
all demonstrating in every
branch of study, and taking the lirsi
prizes in every department her
compositions, ir particular, were re-
gardcd as masterpieces, and in short
Lucy was the pride Of the school.
During the two years of her life
in New York, her manners too had
acquired polish only given toy as
soclaiion with people Of refinement,
and even Julia was proud to intro
duce her cousin, Miss Holmes. =
Lucy's example and assistance were
OF great use To Helen, who proved
under her influence very different
character from what she would have
been il lcll only 10 the guidance Of
her gay and fashionable sister Julia.
Tdough inferior in intellect to Lucy,
she was still far superior to the SUI
| pcrIicial young ladies' with whom she
associated she really learned to
love knowledge for lis own sake,
aud was prepared on leaving school,
to relish a style Of reading more i'm
proving than the light trashy works
oil the day, which form The only
reading of many of our gay Young
ladies. Helen was really a very fine
girl, and uncommonly attractive and
Interesting.
During the two years in which
Lncy made her home at her uncle's,
Herbert Ferguson continued to be
a constant visitor there, and Jnlia
often wondered that he made 10
declaration. When thinking on the
subject she exclaimed, Strange
unaccountablc = many times, aud
often during those two years. She
wondered, too, that Herbert seemed
to love so much to talk to Lucy
but still her self-complacency was
never in the least disturbed by the
thought Of Lucy as a rivai.
Aud, throughout those two years.
Arthur Holmes, who had entered in
the junior class at Yale, ranked as
high in his class as the sister did in
hers. Being young man Of fine
principles, as well as splendid intel
lect, he was determined to show
his uncle that he intended to make
the most Of the advantages he had
so kindly furnished him. At the end
Of two years he graduated with the
highest honors, and was Immediate
ly offered distinguished professor
ship in another college. Who
would now recognize III the easy
and elegant Arthur Holmes, the diff
fdent young clod-hopper' who
alighted from the stage two years
before at his uncle's door.
Helen and Lucy had graduated
too, the latter taking all the highest
prizes, and Helen coming only Sc
cond TO her and the next day Lu-
cy was to leave for her Vermont
home. when, quite early in the
morning, at least early for visitors,
as 1t was not yet twelve O'Clock, in
looking from the window, Julia saw
Herbert Ferguson ascending the
steps.
Strange 2 said she, he never
calls so early, and oh dear am
not dressed he must have come
for something special And in a
ilntter of eXcitment Julia began to
arrange her hair. But her hair was
arranged and toilet completed, and
no messenger had come to summon
her TO the parlor.
Pulling the bell she called to
Thomas and asked him it MIR. Fer
CURSOR had not called.
Yes, Miss Thomas answered.
And why did you not call me,
Thomas ; how can you be stupid?'
Because, Miss, he asked for Miss
Lucy
Strange unaccounfa6ieP ex-
claimed Julia,sas she walked up and
down the room, her cheeks flushed
with agitation what can he wart
with Lucyl perhaps he wishes her
to make interest for him with me,
or TO ascertain my sentiments to-
wards him.
But the minutes went by, aud
Julia had exclaimed Strange ! un-
accountable = dozen times, and
yet no one came to call her, Pres
emily her young brother Harry came
rushing up stairs, having just come
from school.
Just like me = he exclaimed,
always blunderlng in where ANT
wanted ! What must do just now
but burst into the library, and there
sat Mr.. Ferguson on the sofa with
his arm round Cousin Lucy. They
tried to jump away from each other,
and look as if nothing was going
on, but it was no 60 | saw through
it all
Julia now had more reason TO ex-
claim Strangel unaccountable' than
ever. Arthur came for his sister,
and Herbert Ferguson, too, accom-
panied her home as her aiiianced