Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-09-04


that he had engaged his lodging at the hotel
/ where his baggage remained. Il can't bear tn,
thought of your going back there to sleep = ant
the widows fearful eyes looked up plcddingly
/ 'Do stay with us. Cyrus shall 20 for your car
| pet-bag'
! Archy said something about giving trouble
She rcproachcd him tenderly. It would be a
comfort, She assured him to know that he wa,
beneath the same roof; and it would soothe hel
loneliness torcmembcr the pathetic crcumstanc,
after he was gone. Il an a vctmr thought
Archyi but he could not resist such winning
entreaties. Cyrus was dispatched for the car.
pet-bag. lie was absent not much more than
five minutes; and on his return, placing the ar.
ticle Of luggage on the table, he seated himself
tipped against the wall, with his hat on, as be.
fore
Any time YOU wish to retire brother Archy
= suggested the widows softened voice. Ar
chy cast scowling glance at Cyrus (who ap-
peared immovable) and replied that he felt the
need of rest after his long journey.
Don't hurry on my account, said CYRUS. Il
Just as ilves set up and keep We compn'y"
Unseduced by this generous suggestion, Ar
chy took his carpet-bag and proceeded, under
the widows guidance, to the spare bedroom
II was neat little chamber, with rag-carpet
on the floor, and cheap Autographs in cheap
frames on the wall. The lamp was placed on
the white spread stand, and the carpet bag on a
chairs Archy gave the widow his hand.
Goodnight, sister, Priscilla wept 'AiTlict-
ed one" said Archy drawing her near him. He
put down his lips she put up hers. AT that
affecting moment a chuckle was heard. Both
started.
'fe 'frad of 1eas, uncle Archy p said CYRUS.
putting his head in at the door.
Archy had never in his life felt so powerful
an impulse to fracture somebody's cervieal col
umn. Had there been weapon at hand Cy-
rus would have suffered. As twas. he advanc-
ed with impunity into the room.
Cause, ef you be. there's some in the bed
mt loagr he added, measuring off a piece of
his hand. 'Ain't they. P'scill?
Cyrus Droc there isn't a flea in the house,
and you knowit" exclaimed the widow. What
do you talk So for?'
They've got some over at the tavern bigger
yit, sdid Cyrus, seating himself astride a CHAIR
and resting his arm on the back. They hitch
ed SIX on en- to a hand cart t'other dav. and
they jumped 50 they ripped it all to flinders"
Come. Cyrus, oXpostulated the widow, you've
no business here; brother wants to 20 to bed
lie won't mind me- I'll keep him compny
tlll he wants to 20 to sleep. You needn't stop,
ii YOU don't want to"
Thereupon the widow hastily withdrew call
ing upon him to follow. Cyrus rocked to and
fro, in his reversed position apparently perfect
ly and entirely at home. Archy regarded him
sternly.
What dye half to pay for them kind o
boots asked Cyrus. 'Pegged or sewed? hey p
no reply. 'Psho' what's the matter? You
look as tho you'd forgot suthn'"
Young man. said Archy, loltilv. will YOU have
the kindness TO postpone the entertainment of
DprSOu1l and Ir,t,
remote future period In other words. will
you obige me by leaving this room p
Don't feel like talkin', hey? Wal, | d'n
know but will, se,in' its YOU CYRUS rising
deliberately, knocked over the chair, set it up
again, and walked slowly to the door Il for
got what YOU said you give for them? Oh,
yon,re in hurry. be ye' Seeing Archy adj
look, he quickened his step, and with a grin of
insolent good-naturc lodged out Of the room.
Archy shut the door, x placed two chairs against
lt-thcre being no lock-pulled off the said
boots hung his wig on the bed-post, and in due
time retiring, thought of the widow, and called
himself victim until he fell asleep; when he
dreamed that he was woddei TO a specter in
soiled shirt sleeves and patched trowsers, and
had nine children, all Of whom were born with
little wheel-barrows in their hands.
lie was awakened by shouts of childish laugh
ter. lie thought of his dream. rubbed his ewes.
recognized his wig on the bed post, and rcmem-
bered where he was. The laughter proceeded
from an adjoining room, where the little Bios
sons slept. Archy took his watch from be-
meath the pillow, and discovered that he had
been robbed of his rest three hours earlier than
his usual time for rising. I'm always being
victim" " he said with yawn. But suppose
It the custom to get up at five in the country
and it'll be such novelty I'll try it for once
So Archy got up, dressed, nut on his hat. found
his gold-headed cane with the marks of Cyrus's
soapy fingers on it, and went out to walk
There was a freshness and beauty in nature
which afforded him an agreeable surprise
Really, and upon my SOUL he said. Il had quite
forgotten that mornings in the country were so
fine One might enjoy an experience ofNhis
Kind once or twice year very well indeed
Priscilla was occupied in dressing the child
ren when he went out On his return she was
preparing breakfast. He wss curious to see how
she would look by daylight; and he was con-
sclous OF slight agitation as he entered the
room. Her occupation, together with the heat
OF the kitchen stove, had given her a beautiful
color; and the tear and smile with which she
greeted him completed the charm Thus the
day began. Archy, who had intended to return
on the first train to town, staid until the after
noon. He then found it impossible to turn
deaf ear to the widows entreaties, who urged
him to remain another night beneath her root. |
lie delayed his departure another day, and still
another night; and ended by spending week
with the widow, Cyrus, and the children week |
whose history would fill volume What we
have not space to detail here the readers mag-
ination-it must be vivid-will supply.
At last the bachelor returned to town. He |
had long wished to co. and wished not to CO.
His experiences had been both sweet and terri |
BILE; and to depart was as excruciating as to re-
main. In tearing himself away h, left behind |
lacerated heart, which Mrs Priscilla Blossom
retained, and in return for which she sent him |
letters full of affection and bad spelling. 1t is !
singular how soon tender interest in persons
invests even their faults with certain charm |
Not month had elapsed before Archy had
learned to love those innocent little errors of
orthography and construction as dearly as fthe |
is she neglected to dot were the very eyes he
had so often seen weep and smile.
Really, and upon my SOUL said Archy, one
morning, after kissing her letter at least twice
for every precious error it contained, she is .
delightful creature, and by Jove I'd marry her |
,vOull +r,,l.- - Iii