Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-14

interest IN the stranger.
She was fashionable widow, not very young
but very pretty and even brilliant, with remark
ably easy and ingraiiating manners. She be-
longeJ to the class of women who are called
fascinating, and few whom she chose to please
could remain Indifferent 10 her attrac,ions.-
Certainly Mr.. Porter was not one ofthose few
he had never seen any one half so interesting
or bewtchng. She had delicate way ofsay-
ing little nattering things, that kept him in a
constant state of good-humor and selfsatisfac-
tion; and the result was that before three months
had passed, he became an open and devoted ad
mirer of Mrs. Denman.
This intercourse was not without its advan-
tages in certain way. With delicate tact,
that achieved its object without in the least ir
ritating the selflove ofthe young stranger, Mrs
Denman contrived 10 open his eyes to the ne
cessity of an entire reform in his outer man.
She cured him of his habit Of saying "What
Miss" eyes, Miss, "No, Miss" like well
trained servant, and, having done that, she in
troduced him into some of the best society in
the city.
Meanwhile il is not TO be supposed that such
a state of matters could be allowed 10 go on
without provoking, throughout the house, much
discussion, and general dsapproval and last
an old bachelor, Mr.. Fosgaie, was SO moved
by his sense of the great misfortune marriage
with Mrs. Denman would prove to the unsus-
pecting Mr.. Porter, that he could no longer re-
sist his desire 10 demonstrate with him. He
dwelt npon the unsuitability of their ages.
"That i. not so great as you suppose said
NJ y, arl
Denman is but iwcnty-lour."
"Add ten years to her age, and you have hit
it exactly; | have known her since she was an
infant" was Mr. Fosgate's reply.
Mr., Porter looked politely incredulous.
"And then her temper" continued Mr.. Fos-
gate: "it is perfectly uncomfortable when it is
reused, and ii is not very difficult 10 rouse it,.
Mr.. Denman, poor fellow, had very hard life
with her,
Here Mr.. Porter interrupted Mr.. Fosgate
very impatently and decidedly
"Never was there sweeter, gentler woman
than Mrs. Denman. Her voice alone was
sufficient indication of her amiabliiy, so soft
and low was it and Mr.. Denman had been the
most devoted and happies, of husbahds.'
"Well," said MIR. Fosgae, with some tes-
tiness, 81 see there is no convcting man
against his will Now, il you had only taken
fancy 10 Miss Gertrude Murray"
"Miss Murray that little plain girl she is
the only lady in the house that have never
spoken to-"
s.sShs .is.%nf'bO %e5Ns teaa all jbe aibars 1st
her plain. She is small, know but she has
one Of the loveiest faces | ever saw. Her
large soft blue eyes would make an ordinary
face beautiful, but she has color clear and
glowing as rose, perfect mouth and teeth, and
thick waving hair Of the very tints you see in
all the old paintings of the Madonna. In fact
she often reminds me OF some of the pictures
saw when was in Italy; she has the same
sweet placid expression"
"You cannot say that you think her intel
lectual," said Mr.. Porter.
81 don't know what you call intellectual y
, rejoined Mr.. Fosgate ''she has sense enough
to make her one of the best daughters and sis
ters, and most agreeable companions in the
world and that is mind enough for woman
! think" (Mr. Fosgaie belonged 10 the ol,
school.) "And she has dsernment enough Il
perceivs your merits; think her appreciation
Of you is rather higher than you deserve. "
And the shrewd old bachelor looked slyly a
Mr.. Porter, to see if his remark had the eflec
! he intended. A smile, repressed with difficult,
and pleased elation of countenance, showe'
!, that the compliment was properly felt, and Mr.
Fosgate left it to do its work. Flauered sell
love is powerful agent once set in motion, a
Mr.. Fosgate knew he liked Mr.. Porter few
y could help liking the flank and cordial youn,
y man, who seemed incapable OF an unkind though
} or act and Gertrude Murray was great ia
vorile of his he would like to see her wei
u married, as he had no hopes of convicling he
that il would be wiser TO follow his example
o and he was sure that Mr.. Porter would max
o one of the kindest husbands in the world.
Meanwhile, Gertrude, ignorant of Mr.. Eos
% gates schemes, went quietly on her way, tn
only present result of the conversation 'bein
IT that Mr.. Porter, when accidentally thrown wit
her, seemed very much inclined TO converse
IT and remarked several times to others that Mi;
Murray improved wonderfully on acquaintance
u But he was not permitted to advance very "a
+ in his intercourse with the young lady. Mr.
81 Denman allowed no rivals near her throne an
~ with dexterous authority compelled the cntll
9, allegiance ofher followers.
20 81 shouldn't wonder if that woman marie
SO him in three months more" groaned Mr. Fol
gate TO himself ~ wonder if his friends
~ home know what is going on"
70 But propitious mshap inierposed its a
g. and the catastrophe was averted. Mr.. Port
IL had fixed dislike Of coal fires, and would n
as consent 10 have his room warmed in that way
ne but when the cold mid-winter came on, he -four
~ himself very uncomfortable, in his large roo
NJ, ne with its northern exposure, and heated only
ID an open wood fire. He shvered patiently &
H. a while, but, after hearing the virtues of al
:; tight stoves highly extolled, he resolved to 4
d. their powers.
"a. He procured one of the largest size, and hi
60 it placed properly in his room. On ringing {
n servant, the bell was answered by an Iris
I'M 'm man, a fresh Importation, who received the 9
VI ders TO make fire with look that showed III
ne the task was a new one to him. Mr.. Porte
ST. himself novice in the matter of stoves, und'