Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-06-07

not sympathze with Mrs. Rector, there seeming
to me to be q deal of solemn ceremony in that
rite. The few minutes before midnight, passed
kneeling and in silence, whilst the clock ticks
audibly in the hushed chapel, as if it were the
heart of the dying year fast fastening to its
final throb, struck me, when oncef witnessed
the service, as being about the most thrilling
time l ever spent.
Leap-year is not three days old, when, in
company with Mrs. Squills, Aunt Rhoda pre-
sonted herself at the gate Of Holly Lodge, and
requests to be ushered in to the presence of its
owner. In vain does wondering John, the jan
itor, inform her that {" Master don 'tsee nobody
miss. , He must zee her, as she has come on
business. But when they are seated in the
drawing room, comes q request for the ladies to
send in their message, as Mr.. Phillips is too un-
Welt leave the library. Every well, then,
we'lFgo to him, John, " says the unaaunted lit
tie woman and go she does, dragging her COM
panion with her. Mr.. Phillips, i tall, pale
faced man, with twichihg lips and quivering
fingers, starts from his chair at theapparition.
Since they haze bearded him in his den-caught
him sitting on his form, perhaps. would be
more appropriate fgure-he tries hard to be po-
lite, kicks over the coal-skuttle in nervous at
tempt to hand them seats, and starnmers out
welcome, to which, however, his Startled eyes
gave decided contradiction. He lookt little
relieved when he finds that the intruders have
come for no more formidable purpose than to So
lcit subscription to their coal and blanket
fund, and permits them to put his name down
for munfcent sum, evidently hoping to bride
them to speedy departure but still Aunt
Rhoda stays, rattling on about the weather, and
the neighborhood, and general news until his
look of pain changes into look of puzzle, and
eventually into one of semi-pleasure. Tt is a
novel and not altogether disagreeable sensation
to have the Stagnant waters of biz existence
stirred. Women, he fin1aun.iianatl...r ...r .repatad
monsters, are not
scanned he can
tering and blushing; $seis !1.lslysB iss5SsaL
escorts them not only to the hall-door, but also
to the garden-gate.
Other local charities afford pretexts for other
calls. Ruthlessly does little Rhoda bleed his
purse, affirming that she ought to exact heavy
fees for the good that she has done him. And,
indeed, he is marvelously improved. He no lon
ger denies himself to the village ladies, all of
whom Rhoda introduces to him in turn. He
ventures outside of his gate on week days he
joins the Book Club, and attends its meetings.
at trst indeed, with the sacred look of shared
thing, but he gets used in time to hearing his
own voice in company, and proves valuable
acquisition to the society, not only by his sug-
gestions as to the selection of their literature,
but also from the interesting nature of his con-
versation. His front curtain at church is now
undrawn, and runner says that he looks q good
leal more at Rhoda than at the rector. Belinda
Brown, who is rather an old young lady, adds
that it is really immodest for Miss Rhoda Phipps
- she doesn't aunt her now to call so often
at his honse but she supposes that her age pro-
tects her.
At this spite and tatte, Aunt Rhoda only
laughs. In all honesty of purpose, she simply
tried to win fresh patron for her poor clients,
and to convert a sullen recluse into an agreea-
BILE neighbos. She has succeeded, so let rumor
and Belinda Brown say what they please 1t
must be owned, however, that she takes a great
interest in her prOiege, and champions him on
all occasions against Harriet, who, now that
her love theory has proved false, and he lives
like commonplace gentleman instead of ro
mantle hermit, is rather apt-with most mild
malgnity, however-to deprecate him.
New years eve has come again; and little
after eleven the sisters are sittng-this time
without company-in their little parlor, when
they hear knock at the front door Rhoda,
much astonished, runs to open it, and is still
more surprised when Mr. Phillips enters tie
has had a sad relapse-his mauuaise hOnte has
come back as bad as ever. He can hardly be
persuaded to be seated, he 1dgets with his hat;
he looks askance at Miss Harriet, us II annoyed
by her presence, but turns pale tn fear when
by chance she rises, as if about to leave the
room; he hens and haws he begins sentences,
and never ends them. Deeply grateful to Miss
Rhoda '-' object for existence -" not let the
year close, are the only ineligible portions
and these but partially intelligible-of his lrag-
mentary utterances Miss Rhoda understands
him, however, and cheeriy exclaimS :" ] know
what you mean, Mr.. Phillips; but you IL never
say 1T, If don't help you, for we can't serd
-IIArriet LIN lnIn thn hndrnn... LLis cnl uirht !.