Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-04-18


white pillow in her hands was waiting to ac-
commodate her invalid niece
She looked curiously at me; ] blushed for
shame, while my heart overlooked towards them
for kindness. And then the grotesqueness of
nv own position presented itself, and while
pressed hand Of each, burst into a hearty fit
Of laughter, in which my uncle joined merrily.
Girls he cried, as soon as he could speak,
come, our cousin needs no possets or weak
soups come and shake hands with her.
The three girls entered, and while they made
their compliments, he now went on, Away
with the big chair; all Louisa wants is employ
mcnt, all and exercise. In six weeks she will
be able TO run a race with the neetesi beau in
the township lie then sat down beside me
aud inquired for you both with great kindness
and solciiude until we were summoned to tea
During the evening had leisure to observe my
cousins. They were named Mary, Ellen and
Lucy. was struck with their beauty and the
prosperity of everything around them. ] as
sure you, mother, they we're perfectly elegant
in their home made dresses, and white caps and
aprons When we retired for the night, found
we were all to sleep in one chamber, with
good fire in a small Fireplace, and two large
beds standing in opposite corners, with wash
stand aud all the ct ceteras.
Mary the eldest, sat down by a table, and
opening a large Bible began to read fol-
lowed the example Of Ellen and Lucy ard sat
down and listened devoutly.' When the chap
ter was rcad she said 'let us pray and We
knelt while she read devoully some beautiful
evening prayers. never laid down 50 happy
in all my life before.
In the morning we arose before the sun, and
when we came down we found our aunt busy
about the breakfast, and the girls got the milk
pals to 90 to milk | would 60 with them :;
though was very much afraid of the cows |
went into the yard and soon grew so bold as to
put my hand on the one that Lucy was milking,
and finally resolved to do as they did. was
very awkatd, and we all laughed heartily but
they said would soon learn. And then the
| funny little calves with their innocent little ia
ces and merry gambols. Oh! how did love
them. After an excellent breakfast we dress
CO for church. Neither Of my cousins were
any inferior in appearance to your elegant Lou
lisa. The congregation of The church was high
| y respectable in their appearance, serious and
devoted in their demoanor, and attentive to the
services.
Through the week had observed the cheer
/ ful activity of my uncle and his family, saw
the girls sweeping, securing, rubbing, churn-
ing, baking, cooking spinning, sewing, fitting
embroidering, sketching, painting, and wi;ha
find time to read and write. ! grew very much
ashamed of my ignorance and help!essncss, and
resolved to make myself mistress of all these
useful accomplishments. They were all busy
the whole day and seemed to take pleasure in
their occupations Oh could you see their
happy faces as they sat at work in the evening
while uncle reads aloud and then if yon could
listen to our evening hymns. Such singing,
so sweet, and so clear, and so natural, ! de-
clare, forgot my ill-health before ! had been
here two days. There is such pleasure in gar
dening. When the girls commenced, put on
laced boots as they did and went to work dig
eing beds, t:anspanting flowers, sowing seeds
I a.u cumming s,..u'.s.
dew, or run for 4 slight shower Such gar
den as we had such variety and abundance of
| flowers and vegetables, such uxures in the
form of peas, beans and salads natter my
self am now quite gardener; though at first
| did not know plant from weed,
have also learned to make cheese. Not
merely TO see il done, but to perform the whole
process myself | have become proof against
damp air and damp feet. You should see US
gathering strawberries in the meadow while the
grass is wet with dew, or rake at the approach
of thunder cloud, until the big drops begin to
fall, and then running in the house amid the
bright shower. Oh there is no life like a
country lfe--no pleasure like the free exercise
and pleasant labor of farmers family. | Of
ten smile as recall my impressions of country
life and country people before | came here.
had been taught TO sum up in these words all
that is degrading ignorant and vulgar | fine
here, on the contrary, all that is enobling truly
great and excellent. What poor WORTHLESS:
mbecile was when left heme-only fit to BIZ
waited upon; dressed at enormous expense, ant
/ admired for a season Now cannot only su
periniend housekeeping, but l can bake gooC
bread and cakes and pies, cook meats in III,
, most excellent manner, make butler and cheese
and spin fax and wool Call country people
5 ignorant! Why there is not farmers chil,
r of ten years old that might not pity the deplor
able ignorance of a city belle. Nor are tn
. minus w S"""'1 PSOPlO III my 'NSlSS'
and mos: of them are well cultivated. Do yo
= not remember those lovely poems In p -
b Magazine, and how we wondered who the fai
It author who signed herself might be. Well i
# is my little country cousin here. Does not thi
t settle the point as to intellect And then yo
It know that most of our great men were farmer
l. sons, brought up to work until they were sen
e to college. Apropos do you not remembe
;. the enthusiastic praise with which the reveren
T., professor, Dr., spoke OF young Mr.. Gray
e a student in the seminary. Well Mr.. Ora
IS was brothers. son. ! wonder that you di
e not inquire him out, and invite him TO our house
y He came home asst in time of merry harves
l. lie is handsome, genteel, and highly educated
d how did he snrpass any gentleman of my fol
mer acquaintance, and particularly that of mine
is ing, delicate Mr.. Lassons, of whom once far
s. ced myselfdesperately enamored, and to whom
r. in part, was owing my terrible illness. In pa
10 say, for illness of mind and body had a goo
h share in producing il. could have knelt dow