Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-05-08


days was confined within doors by the CON
tinuous rain and ! am sorry TO confess it, but
the blues actually got complete possession Of
me-ono strided upon my nose, another dane
ed on the top OF my head, one pinched my
cars, and another turned summcrscts on my
chin. You laugh. little Nanny. but they are
terrible creatures, these blue gentlemen. and
] could not endure them any longer So the
third rainy evening put on my coat, buttonsd
it up to my chin. and taking my umbrella in
my hand, set out in the direction of Mrs.
Nane's Here thought l. as my fingers
pressed the latch. Il shall find the moonlight
smile that will iliuminc the darkness of my
night-the dull yapors will disperse before
her radiant glance, and this intcrminable equi-
noctial storm be transformed into a mere ver-
nal shower, melting away in sunbeams in her
presence My gontle knock not being appar-
ontly heard, ] stepped into the ante-room. set
down my umbrella, took off my dronched
oyercoat, arranged my hair in the most grace
ful manner, and claiming privilege TO which,
perhaps, ! had NO Legitimate right, opened the
door Of the family sitting-room, and found
myself in the presence of the beautiful Their
csa-'
Here Uncle Ned made provoking pause.
"Pray, go on. GLOW was she dressed :"
"And was she glad 10 see you assailod him
ON every side.
Glow was she dressed ?" repeated he ~
am not very skilled in the technicalitios Of
lody's wardrobe, but can give you general
impression of her personal appearance In
the first place there was jumping up and an
of-hand sliding stop towards an opposite
door as | entered, but a disobliging chair was
in the way, aud ] was making my lowest bow
before She found an opportunity of disappear
ing Confused and mortified, she scarcely
returned my salutation, while Mrs. Nane Of
lered me a chair. and expressed, in somewhat
dubious terms. their qualification at such an
unexpected pleasure. have no doubt Their
csa wished me at the bottom of the Frozen
Ocean, if / might Judge from the freezing
gances She shot at me through her long LASH
cs. She sat uncasly in her chair. trying to
conceal her slipshod shoes, and furtiyely ar
ranging her dress about the shoulders and
waist. It was most rebellious subject, for
the body and skirt were at open warfare, re-
fusing to have any communication with each
other. Where was the graceful shape had
SO much admired In vain | sought its ex-
quiste outlines in the folds of that loose,
slovcnly robe. Where were those glistening
ringets and FURNISHED locks that had so lately
rivalled the trcSses of Modusa; Her hair
was put in tangled lunches behind her ears,
and tucked up behind in a kind of Gordian
knot, which would have required the sword
of an Alexander TO unite. Her frock was a
soilcd and dingy silk, with trimmings Of sal
low blonde, and faded fancy handkerchief
was thrown over one shoulder.
"'You have caught me completely en- desh-
a5Nc, said she, recovering partially from her
embarrassment but the evening was so
rainy, and no one but mother and myself
never dreamed of such an exhibition of gal
lantry as this
'Sho could not disguise her vexaton, with
all her efforts to conceal il, and Mrs. Vane ev-
identity shared her daughter chagrin was
wicked enough to enjoy their confusion, and
never appeared more at my ease, or played
the agreeable with more signal success. l
was discnchanted at once aud my mind rev
elled in its recovered freedom. Ny goddess
had fallen from the pedestal on which my i'm
agination had enthroned her, despoiled of the
beautiful drapory which had impaired to her
such ideal lovelincss. ! knew that | was "a
layorte in the family for | was wealthy and
Independent, aud perhaps Of all Thoresa's ad-
mirors was what the world would call the best
match. | maliciously asked her to play on
the piano. but she made a thousand excuses
, studiously keeping back the true reason-her
disordercd attire. asked her to play game
t of chess, but she had headaches she was
too stupid she mover could do anything on a
+ rainy evening.
"At lcngth | took my leave, inwardly bless
: ing the moving spirit which had led me abroad
/ that night that the spell which had so long
enthrallcd my senses might be broken. Their
! csa called up one Of her lambent smiles as |
badc her adicu.
"Nover call again on a rainy evening, said
she, sportively,; i am always so wrotchedly
f dull | believe was born to live among the
sunbeams, the moonlight and the stars
Clouds will never do for me.
q "'Amen, ! silently responded, as | closed
E the door, While | was putting on my coat,
{ / overheard, without the smallest intention OF
listening, a passionate exclamation from Their
a esa.
"'Good heavens, mother was there ever
4 anything so uuluoky; | never thought OF
e. seeing my neighbors dog tonight. If | have
e not been completely caught
r "I hope you will mind my advice next
- time, replied her mother, in a grcyed tone
y 4 told You not to sit down in that sloyenly
. dress. have no doubt you have lost him
- forever
4 ''Hero I made good my retreat, not wish
C ing to enter the penetrala of family secrets.
r THE rain still continued undated but my
/, social feelings were very far from being damp
n cd. had the curiosity to make another cx-
Il pertinent. The ovoning was not very far adj
h vanccd and as | turned from Mrs. Nano
b fashionable mansion, saw modest light
10 glmmoring in the distance, and | hailed it as
r. the shipwrecked mariner halls the star that
Il guides him Ter the oceans foam to the home
q he has loft behind. Though l was gay and
l. young and passionate admirer of beauty,
d had very exalted ideas Of domestic felicity,
o knew there was many rainy day in life, and
r. ! thought the companion who was born alone
t for sunboams and moonlight would not aid me
4 to disspate their gloom. | had, moreover,
d shrewd suspicion that the daughter who
It thought il a sufficient excuse for shameful
If personal neglect, that there was no one pres
.- ont but her mother, would, as a wife, be equal
10 " regardless of husband S presence. Whilt
~ pursued these reflections, my feet involun-
tarily drew nearer and more near to the light
10 which had been the loadstone of my opening
# manhood | had continued to meet Mary IN
u tho gay circles which lroquontod' but had
70 lately become almosta stranger TO her home