Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-04

Miss Brown would come home every L
it was not very difficult to be
to the temporary arrangement.
The week wore away heavily, especially I
to Charles Robinson and Stephen Jones.
They counted the days impatiently till
and on Saturday they counted
the long and tagging hours till noon
They had both made up their minds that
it would be dangerous to wait longer, and
they had both resolved not to let another.
Sabbath pass without making direct pro-
posols to Miss Brown.
Stephen Jones was too early a riser
for Charles Robinson, and, in any enter
prise where both were concerned, was
pretty sure to take the lead,except where
money could carry the palm, and then of
course, it was always borne away by
Charles. As Miss Lucy had been alb
sent most of the week, and was TO be at
home that afternoon, Charles Robinson
had made arrangements with his mother
and sisters to have little tea-party in the
evening and then of course, would be
good opportunity to break the ice, and
make known to her his feelings and
wishes. Stephen Jones, however, was
more prompt in his movements. He
had got wind Of the proposed te&-party,
although himself and sister, for obvious
reasons, had not been invited, and he re-
solved not 10 risk the arrival of Miss
Brown, and her visit to Mr. Robinsons
before he could see her. She would dis
miss her school at noon, and come the
distance Of a mile and half round the
pond home. His mind was at once made
up. He would 60 round and meet her
at the school-house, and accompany her
on her walk home. There, in that wind
ing road, around those delightful waters,
with the tall and shady trees overhead,
and the wild grape-vines twining round
their trunks, and climbing to the branch
es, while the birds were singing through
the woods and the wild ducks playing in
the coves along the shore, surely there,
if anywhere in the world, could a man
bring his mind up to the point of speak
ing love.
Accordingly, little before noon, Ste
phen washed and brushed himself up,
and put on his Sunday clothes, and start
ed on his expedition. In order to avoid
observation, he took back route across
, field, intending to come into the road
= by the pond, little out Of the village
: As i'll luck would have it, Charles Robin.
: son had been out in the same direction
t and was returning with an armful O
2 green boughs and wild flowers, to orna
, ment the parlor for the evening. Ht
/, saw Stephen, and noticed his dress, anC
!, the direction he was going, and he a
: once smoked the whole business. Hi
i first impulse was to rush upon him ant
0 collar him, and demand that he shoulc
e return back. But then he recollecte,
that in the last scratch he had with Ste
g phen, two or three years before, he haJ
n a little the worst of it, and he instructive
IS ly stood still, while Stephen passed ol
II without seeing him. 1t flashed upon hi
II mind at once that the question mus
n now be reduced to game of speed
If IF he could by any means gain til
= school-house first, and engage Miss Luc
d to walk home with him, he shoul
of consider himself safe. But if Stephe
a should reach he school-house frs
y he should feel a good deal Of uneas
e ness for the consequences. Stephe
} was walking, leisurely, and unconsc
IS Gus that he was in any danger Of a con
n petitor on the course, and it was impor
d ant that his suspicious should not be aw:
le kened. Charles therefore remained pc
le fectly quiet till Stephen had got lit
as out Of hearing, and then he threw dow
n his bushes and flowers, and ran to Il
n, wharf below the store with the utmo
It. speed. He had one advantage ovt
D. Stephen. He was ready at moment
re warning to start on an expenition Of til
IS kind, for Sunday clothes were an ever
90 day affair with him. There was lig
th canoe belonging to his father lying at Il
yn wharf, and couple Of stout boys we
as there fishing. Charles hailed them, al
ID, told them if they would row him aero
ed the 9ond as quick as they possibly couI
ey he would give them a quarter Of a doll
ut apiece. This, in their view was a sple
in did offer for their services, and they 2
to on board with alacrity and manned t
oars. Charles took paddle, and sto
al, in the stern to steer the boat, and be
IN, propel her ahead.
iss The distance by water was a little j
- II