Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-08-06
M | s G L L L A N Y.
A STORY OF A GARTER
LFrom IIArper's Magazine. |

Just at four o'clock one dazzling afternoon
last February, two young persons, opposite
genders took sudden possession OF a neat sleigh,
muifled themselves together in a manner intend
ed to secure as far as possible the double adyan-
tage of comforting protection and engaging APP
pcarance, and, after judicious settlement of
skirts and robes on the one hand, and hat and
furs on the other, darted briskly off, along the
smooth and shining roads of Winston. Clear
and still, and not at all chilling, was the atmos-
phcre. The sun shed all its splendor from a
cloudless sky, and the spotless earth radiantly
reflected its glittering beams. The two sleigh
ers with whom we have to do, agreed, without
debate that no other day favorable for their
excursion could have been selected, and in turn
went into spasms of rhetorical excitement over
the glories of Winter-in its present cheering
aspect.
Not having accustomed themselves to the as
siduous study of Nature, they failed to exactly
interpret certain omcns which might otherwise
have interfered with their innocent enthusiasm
OF course neither had noticed, the night before,
the broad circle of luminous haze that surround
ed the moon, giving warning of approaching
disorder above. OF course neither considered,
as they dashed along needing only their own
pleasant fancies, the light clouds which, rapidly
rising, soon overspread the southern heaven,
and gradually threatened to obscure the declin-
ing sun. What need had they to anticipate the
possible interruption of their sport?
None certainly. Their aim was pleasure.
Lucy Brandon, nineteen, daintly beautiful
and coquettish by unconquerable femenne in
stinct, filled the hearts Of the youth of Winston,
and above all, those hearts gathered within the
institution for the wholesale manufacture of
clergymen for which Winston is celebrated,
with fine frenzies.
The secular youth swore she was an angel
The students, whose destiny was theological.
did not swear, but, after investigating the sub
ject, and finding that angels were sometimes
imperfect and falible, proclaimed her divine,
and in their orsons remembered her
In this way they satisfied all the conditions
of their college life. Inside the walls they were
divinity students outside they were students
of divinity.
In confidence it may be revealed that Miss
Lucy's highest attributes were in fact of NOR
tai order. She was not bit of an angel but
she was what is much better for the purposes OF
this world-a charming girl, with beauty enough
to wind golden chains around susceptible young
hearts, and wit enough to fasten them with
glisenng clasps, whenever she chose At the
same time, she was as amabe as could fairly
be expected of a spirited young woman who
ruled subservient seminary with a rod more
rigid than any the professors could WELD; sht
was, with all her froicsome coquetry, as dis
Greet as dowager and she was not destitute
of good sense, powerful proof of which was
that she never wrote her name Lucie. Never
theless, it is a melancholy truth that many o.
the maidens of Winston persistently refused tc
recognize those nfatuating qualities which by
the ruder creatures were unanimously accorded
her.
After a considerable period of supreme sway
Miss Brandon at length sighed, Alexanderwise
for something new to conquer.
She fell in with Mr. Henry $50 christened, bu
popularly denominatcd Harry Langford, fint
young fellow with no theological aspirations
who had come up to Winston to look after som,
long neglected relations. Clever and wei
| dressed, and with heavenly curl to his hair
| he interested Miss Brandon, who forthwith
smiled upon him, and baited her hirtation- hook
with most delicate tascinations. With a shade
of surprise, she observed that her intended vic
tim succeeded in reaping the full benefit of tn,
bats, and yet refused to be caught. Upon this
she became shy, and he commenced promis
cuous assault upon the affections of every avail
able young woman he encountered. AS sooi
as it was evident that they understood each 9th
er, they began to laugh. Consultation follow
ed. From laughing at one another they turn
|
plant admirers. am sorry to say that tn
young lady betrayed confidence She told hin
how one especially devout adorer was continu
ally quoting Scriptural puifs to her; and no,
another, Of chronological turn of mind, woult
insist on comparing her to new and exquisit
specimens of bugs. Then he told her, quit
malicously, how precarious her rule was, an,
cruelty likened her position to that of keepe
in lunatic asylum, whose strength lies in hi
confidence that his subordinates, having los
their wits, possess no power of combination
among themselves to defeat his plans. Occa
sonaly Miss Brandon was little tart some
times Mr. Langtord was little rude; but the
usually kept within amicabe bounds, and wer
understood to be excellent friends-nothin
more!
Not one of Miss Lucy's devotees ever though
it worth while to look upon Harry Langfor
with eyes of green Indignation. He was in n
degree rapturous about her; she often snubbe
him. An infnitesimal quarrel between ther
had once been detected. Besides, he was nc
resident, only visitor, whose opportunitis