Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-04-03
NJ ! s c L L L A n Y.
THE HOLBROOK HOUSE.

One of the most picturesque habitatons in
our neighborhood is the Holbrook lIouse-an
old-fashioned white structure of moderate di-
mensions originally, but eked out piecemeal,
until it occupied twice its former space. A rich
growth of climbers. an arabeSque of woodbine,
English ivy, and jasmin, quite enveloping the
pillars of the rustic porch, and stretching to the
very summit of the deep roof, frames with foil
age the antique dormcr windows. The sopng
lawn in front is emerald, and on either side of
the gravel walk stand rank of superb old chest
nut trees. With somewhat abrupt ascent
from the rear of the premises rises Beach Iiill
covered half way up with wood of hemocks,
frs, and the black birch, with its dark, glossy
rind, and graceful, pendant branches Beneath
these trees, some of which were standing when
the first dwelling of the white was erected in
the vicinity of the Ashuelot river, the soil is
cred with a mosaic of mosses, ivy, ground pine,
wood violets, and the partridge vine with its
dark, shining leaves, and berries of vivid scar
let The spicy water green too, grows there
in profusion, and in its season that loyeliest of
northern wild flowers, the trailing arbutus, en-
riches the air with its peculiar exquisite odor--
| thus revealing its presence before the eve dis
covers its lurking place. 1t is worth seeking !;
what delicate flush it wears when at length
you have found it how prettily its broad glas-
sy leaves spotted with brown, set off the faint
plilh DtldlS. uO nOl hHON dllONIlcl lONtI
% with look so like a smile" Just above the
wood spring of clear water issues from some
messy rocks singing to itself all summer long,
in low, pleasant voice. threads downward its
silver way till it reaches the AShuelot, into
whose waters 1t leaps eagerly, as glad to merge
its sparkling life in the tranquil beauty of the
broader stream.
For long time the Holbrook House stood
vacant. Its propretor-the sole survivor of its
branch of the family, and a seafarer from boy
hood-was an officer in our navy. There were
occasional rumors of his return, but he never
came 1t was understood at length that the
house was for sale or to be let.
One summer, half score of years ago, a
stranger lady, travelling with her two children
dropping boy of twelve and girl some years
younger-stoppcd in our village few days to
recruit the wearied boy. Influenced by the quiet
beauty of the place, the healthfulness of the air,
and the entreaties of the children, especially OF
the sickly one, who was heartily tired of wan
dering, she became the occupant of the IIol-
brook place. For the poor child it was time
to rest. Travelling had only quickcned the NAL
ady which his mother, with slow and reluctant
conviction, at length perceived to be incurabe.
His disease was consumption, and in him. it as
sumcd its least formidable type--a slow fever
which gave a glow to his cheek intense brillian-
cy to his dark blue eyes, and an ETHEREAL beauty
to his whole aspect. He fingered through the
ensuing winter, but when the spring suns had
melted the snow wreaths from the hill side, he
too had passed away. | remember well the
bright, soft April day when he was laid in the
village grave yard. | remember his bright
brown hair, the long lashes that apt on his fair
cheek, and the pleasant smile on his lips. A
simple grave stone. with the inscription, Evil
liam Lyndhurst, Blantyre, Scotland marked
his resting place.
/ was passing the grave yard one afternSon
in summer and paused to look at the white
cleaning stones and the waving grass, over
which hoated shadows from the moving boughs
above and heard child's voice singing 1t
was Rose Lyndhurst, who sat by her brothers
grave, one little arm thrown across the head
stone, and who sang in low sweet tone.
waited until she had done, and then joined her
"What is that you were singing, Rose?"
said.
"Just a hymn to Willie" she replied, "ont
that he always liked"
And she told me of her home in the old worlt
beyond the sea of her father, his failing health
and then, in the hope that change of climate
might restore him, of their determination tc
come to America; of his death on the passage
and the burial at sea of Wiie's wild sorrow
for his father, which yielded to no soothing un
|, too had brother and sister in the LITTLE
grave yard, and we children fingered there talk
ing of the past, and of the pleasant time there
would be when we should meet our friends
again, till we knew by the long shadows thai
evening was near, and we must go home.
From that time Rose and were friends W,
were mutually delighted when our parents en-
couraged our intimacy, and we cheerfully ac
complished our allotted tasks with the pleasant
incentive of a walk together, a day in the woods
or even quiet afternoon within doors.
, Year after year Mrs. Lyndhurst continued tC
reside among us, with no fixed purpose, sup.
pose, OF permanent residence, but she saw hel
remaining child happy and buoyant, becoming
every year firmer in health, and so at length
they came to be considered as belonging to us
There was no need to send the child away tC
, school. Mrs. Lyndhurst was a lady of rare en-
dowments, and would not willingly have reln
quished her daughters education to Others. AT
ter while it was settled that should shar,
Roses studies under her mothers oversight
Mrs. Lyndhurst overcoming my own mother.
reluctance to receive such favor, by convincing
her that the benefit to Rose of a companion il
her lessons unite eoualled any ADVANTAGE ,vh;ol