Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-02-26

WIZ Via . lNbblil0bil dIu plblHcn JOlltS.-
Their position and standing among the young
men OF the village seemed to put all others in
the background. Charles, whose father was
wealthy, had every advantage which money could
procure. But Stephen. though poor, had de-
cidedly the advantage over Charles in personal
recommendations. He had more talent, was
more sprghtly and intelligent and more pleas
ing in his address. From the evening of the
sail on the pond, thcy"had both watched every
movement Of Miss Brown with the most intense
interest and, as nothing can deceive a lover,
each had, with an interest no less intent, watch
ed every movement of the other. They had
ceased to speak to each other about her and if
her name was mentioned in their presence, both
were observed to color.
The second week after her arrival, through
the influence Of Squire Johnson, the district
school was offered to Miss Brown on the other
side Of the pond, which offer was accepted, and
She went Immediately to take charge Of it. This
announcement at first threw something of Il
damper upon the spirits Of the young people of
Pond village. But when Il was understood the
school would continue but a mile and a half dis
tant, and Miss Brown would come home every
sabbath, it was not very difficult to be recon-
clcd to the temporary arrangement. The week
wore away heavily, especially to Charles Robin
son and Stephen Jones' They counted the DAYS
impatienty till Saturday. 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 with
cut making direct proposals to Miss Brown.
stephen Jones was too carly ariscr for Charles
Robinson, and. in any enterprise where both
were concerned, was pretty sure to take the lead,
except where money could carry the palm, and
ha of "a ,al,,s 1
Charles. As Miss Lucy had been absent most
of the week, and was to be at home that after
noon, Charles Robinson had made an arrange
ment with his mother and sisters to have a lit
tie tea-party in the evening and them 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
hls movements. lie had got wind of the pro-
posed tca-par,y, although himself and sister, for
obvious reasons, had not been invited, and he
resolved not to risk the arrival of Miss Brown,
and her visit to Mr.. Rnbinsuns, before he could
see her. She would dismiss her school at noon.
and come the distance of a mile and halfround
the pond home. His mind was al once made
up lie would 90 round and meet her at the
school-house, and accompany her on her walk
home. There, in that winding road around
those delightful waters, with the tall and shady
trees overhead, and the wild grape-vines twin
ing round their trunks, and climbing TO the
branches, while the bird, were singing through
the woods and the wild ducks PLAYING in the
covcs along the shore, surely there, if anywhere
IN the world, could man bring his mind up to
the point of speaking Of love.
Accordingly, little before noon, Stephen
washed and brushed himself up. and put on his
Sunday clothes, and started on his expedition
In order to avoid obscr, r,aiion. he took a back
route across field. intending to come into the
road b! the pond. little out of the village. As
Ill luck would have it, Charles Robinson had
been out in the same direction. and was return
lng with an armiul of green boughs and wild
I9"ers' to ornament the parlor for the evening
Il, 'ts saw saw St.ephsn and niGfh fht 6ica smdted
the whole business. His first impulse was to
rush upon him and collar him. and demand that
he should return back. But then he recolect-
ed that in the last scratch he had with Stephen,
two or three wears before, he had little the
worst of IT, and he instinctivcly stood still, while
Stephen passed on without seeing him. II flash
ed upon his mind at once that the question must
now be reduced To game of speed. If he could
10y any means gain tine schou-house first, and
engage Miss Lucy to walk home with him. he
should consider himself safe. But if Stephen
should reach the school-housc first, he should
Qucnccs. Stephen was walking, lcisurey and
unconscious that he was in any danger of a COM
peti'or on the course, and it was important that
his suspicious shoudnot be awakened. Charles
therefore remained perfectly quiet till Stephen
had got little out Of hearing, and then he threw
down hi, bushes and flowers, and ran to the
wharf below the store with the utmost Specd.-
lie had one advantage over Stephen. lie was
ready at moments warning to start on an ex-
pedition of this kind, for SUNDAY clothes were
an everyday affair with him. There was light
canoe belonging to his father lying at the warf
and couple of stout boys were there fishing
Charles hailed them, and told them if they would
row him across the pond as quick as they pos
sibly could, he would give them quarter of a
dollar apiece. This, in their view, was splen-
did offer for their services, and they jumped on
board with alacrity and manned the oars
Charles took paddle and stood in the stern
to steer the boat, and help propcl her ahead
The distance by water was a little less than by
land, and although Stephen had considerably
the start of him, he believed he should be able
TO reach the schoo-housc first, especially if Ste
phen should not see him and quicken his pace
In one minute after he arrived at the wharf the
boat was under full way. The boys laid down
to the oars with right good will, and Charles
put out all his strength upon the paddle. They
We're shooting over the water twice as fast as a
man could walk, and Charles already felt sure
of the victory. But when they had gone about
half mile, they came in range of little open
ing in the trees on the shore, where the road
was exposed to view, and there, at that critical
moment, was Stephen pursuing his easy walk.
Charles's heart was in his mouth. Still it was
possible Stephen might not see them, for he had
not yet looked around. Lest the sound of the
oars might attract his attention, Charles had in
stantly, on coming in sight, ordered the boys to
stoprowing, and he grasped his paddle with
breathless anxiety, and waited for Stephen again
to disappear But just as he was upon the point
Of passing behind some trees, where the boat
would be out of his sight, Stephen turned his
head and looked round He stopped short,
turned square round, and stood for the space of
a minute looking steadily at the boat Then
lifting his hand, and shaking his fist resolutcly
at Charles, as much as to say understand YOU,
he started into quick run.
"Now, boys" said Charles, "buckle to your
oars for your lives, and if you can get to the
shore so ! can reach the school-house before
Stephen does, I'll give you half dollar apiece"
This of course, added new life to the boys,
and increased speed to the boat. Their little
canoe flew over the water almost like bird,
carrying white bone in her mouth, and leav-