Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-04-24

How very imprudent said Lefty. Sup
pose they had picked up another passen-
ger by the way =
ooh, they did ! insisted upon it. | was
TO pay handsomely for tho chaise So 1t
was all my own, to do what pleased with d;
and do you know, Cousin Lefty, ! never
before guessed the delight Of keeping 4 car
rage, Tor it enabled me to relieve the weuvi-
ness of long Journey to poor woman, who
was Iootsore, with an inlnnt IN her arms,
and two little children walking by her side
Oh, how thankful she was and how sound
ly the children slept all the while or
course, | gavo her all my pocEetmoney, and
have left papa to pay for the chase.
This was an act after hctty's own heart,
and she pressed Mary's hand in sympathy,
though at the same time prudenty rcproy-
ing her for her Quixotic generosity. i
think, dear Mary, YOU were very wrong to
travel alone. Suppose any Of those adyen-
turers about the lakes had run oil with
you
'Oh, but never will be run OF with
said Mary, laughing.
you are not in love yet, then Nary
NO, dear Cousin Letty-no more in love
than you are. or likely to be. meal t.
lead just the same happy sort of single life
that you lead
Il should be very much disappointed if
thought you were in earnest. No, no,
Mary; | am resolved that you shall marry,
and intend to look out for a suitable husband
for you some excellent, agreeable person
Just such a man as might have fallen in
love with myself in my girlsh days.
Very well, cousin, said Mary When |
see any one enjoying your particular favor,
| shall make up my mind that he to be my
husband; but you must undertake all the
courting-l'm sure | could never endure
that. What on earth can be 50 ridiculous
as two rational beings saying to each other.
Il love you,' Oh, horriblc,'
Perhaps Lefty was not altogether of the
same opinion. She remembered when her
cousin, John Middleton used to call her his
little wife Seven years older than herself
he went into the world to seek his fortune
The fondness of the child grew into the
love of the girl how eagerly did she look
for his return And he, to surprise his
dear Cousin Lefty, said nothing Of what
had happened but came home married
And so people supposed that Cousin Lefty
had never been in love, and wondered why
she lavished such devotion on John Middle
tons eldest daughter.
On the following day, Lefty and Mary
sailed forth to the neighboring town on u
looked Mary with her Hebelike face, and
Cousin Lefty bearing an amazing resem-
blance to her, but-ah that fatal one--ff-
teen years older. Still Mary was so carelessly
dressed in her old Dunstable bonnet and
blue ribbons, while Letty's town-made
cased white silk would have taken ten years
of any woman's age, that the result was
as they passed through the principal street
OF the little town, Lefty excited almost az
much admiration as the more youthful beau
ty of Mary Middleton.
Il ~ieh, cousin, said Mary, 'yuu would
60 with me to see a poor old woman, pen
sioner Of mine-that is, if you re not asham
ed of being seen in ~ horrible a part Of the
town
How did sho excite your compassion,
Mary =
'Oh, poor creature saw her one day with
her basket of tapes and needles in crossing
the street, knocked down bya carriage ; she
was much hurt, and had her taken care
fully home and attended to. | should like
to know how she 5 going on will you come
with me Lettyr
OF course will, dear Mary, said her
cousin, delighted at every manifestation Of
kind heartedness in her iavOrite
They now went from one dirty lane to
another, until they arrived az the miserable
lodging-house of Mary's pensioncr.
How is old Peggy to-day! asked Mary
of the woman who opened the door.
Very low, indeed ma am the doctors
with her Just now He's attentive to the
poor soul AS if he was paid for it.
ain very glad to hear it, said Mary.
hope everything that was necessary has
"""n procured for her y
- 80" ma an | made your money
GEAR ", =" would think, and
y 'ul 'ncr tnah anyDO4y ""-ides,
the doctor give me five shilings
ana brought bottle of wine in his pocket
tn's morning Just come this way. if YOU
please, ma'am and the woman showed
then up an Old, creaking, rickety staircase.
ana drew open the door of the room where
lay her poor lodger An agreeable surprise
awaited Cousin Lefty, for in the SURGEON
standing by the bedside she recognized MFR.
Leslie, who had been SO attentive TO her on
the previous day. A cordial shaking "
hands took place, for Mary Middleton had
met Mr. Leslie twice at parties. and she
herself had gone to solicit his attendance on
old Peggy Mr.. Leslie inquired most anx-
ously concerning the injuries OF his agree
aoie chalse companion, who assured him
her arm gave her very little inconvenience
IN tact, that it was quite well. Mr.. Leslie /
said he was delighted to hear it though
he unaccountably looked the very reverse.
Arranging everything for the comfort Of the |
old woman, who, according to the surgeons |
opinion, was slowly recovering. thev lett the |
house, preceding together as far as the lIirh !
street, when Mr. Leslie regretted that one |
or two professional calls prevented his hay |
ing the pleasure of accompanying them to
the cottage,
But trust you will favor us with call |
very soon, said Lefty t parting las her hand,
IN her own cordial way, rested for a moment
in his.
fear | have scarcely an excuse for so
desirable visit, said the surgeon, rather
calamity, and somewhat confusedly.
You forget my bruised arm, said LEFTY,
becoming suddenly oblivlous of having de.
clared 1t was quite well.
True said Mr., Leslie it really must
be attended to-
Mamma will be delighted to see YOU.
Mr. Leslie said Mary, kindly, for she
fears the children are going to have severe
colds. and | really fear SO, too Mary
had never before, however, been so an
ucipatory Of sore throats and medical ad-
wee 1t was agreed, therefore, that Mr.
Leslie was to call at the cottage on the fol-
loving Cay, and he took his leave. The
ladies now proceeded to the principal toy
shop oil the town, where the children, to
whom Mary had SO bountiflll; promised
set ol colds, and Cousin Lefty set Of toys,
were to meet them
All the instruments the Passions rlaved
upon, and which have since returned The
compliment, were selected Tom took n
war-denouncins trumpet Of blue painted
wood, while Charlie began to beat fiery
looking little drum with furious heat
Lefty liberality having now gone almost
us lar as the cJyetous eye of the children.
the party stopped into Mr. Middleton
double phnton, which was waiting for them,
accompanied by the celebrated brass band
the children having snatchcd their instru-
ments OF sound and at the risk Of fright.
eninS the horses, making u considerable din
thrlugh The street and alung the rnnd 10 tho