Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-11-23

/ annoyed expression which had overspread
his face when she alluded to the mortgage.
Come long in, Jessie,my gal !" he added
cheerily, as a light touch sounded on the
door-latch. "Here's the basket, all right,
and some o them golden pippins tucked in
to t. May be they'll tempt your mothers
appetite"
Jessie Moret)n was slender, graceful
/ girl of about Sc senteen, with satin-smooth
bands Of chestnut hair, parted above low,
sunny forehead, large liquid eyes,and checks
which Farmer Woodbridge always declared
'sot him to thinkin' of them velvet-look-
ing Jarsey peaches, that grew on the tree
down in the south medder I''-She took up
the little basket, with grateful smile.that
went even to the thrifty heart Of Mrs.
Keturah.
80, Mr. Woodbridge, how kind you al
ways are to us! III were only rich-ifl |
only could make some return"
Don't you say word about that are"
said the farmer, rubbing his nose very
hard. jest you run home, as fast rs ev-
er you can put, for its gettin' rost dark,
end the November wind amt no WAYS
healthy as | ever heerd on. And | say,
Jessie, If II rains to morrow so you can't
get to school handy, just you stop here,
aud Ill give You lift in my waggin."
Dear old Mr.. Woodbridge soliloquized
Jessie Moreton to herself, as her light
footsteps pattored along on the fallen leav-
as, ''how many, many times ] have had
cause to thank his generous heart. And
to think that he should be so distressed
about that mortgage by the agent at Hard
wiche Hall"
She paused for a moment to look up to
where the stately roofs and gables of the
Hall rose darkly outlined against the
crimson that still burned stormily in the
sky. On a commanding height, and near
ly hidden in trees, many Of whom still re-
tanned their brilliant autumn foliage, it
seemed almost like an old baronial castle.
There it stands" she unused, "shut up
and silent year after year, its magnificent
rooms untenanted, the flowers blossoming
ungatheled in its conseryatories. Since
Mrs. iardwiche dIed-twenty years since,
mamma says-the family have been abroad
and now the only surv wing heir is travel
ing, no one knows wlere | wonder if be
know how grasping and cruel his agent Is?
y dear, she added softly, 'money does
not always come where it is most needed.
Ii l were the mistress Of Hardwiche Hall!'
She started with a slight scream the
next Instant, as a tall figure rose up from
a mossy boulder by the roadside, directly
in front Of her.
Pardon me" said a voice ,hat instant
y reassured for, but it was too gentle to
come from any but a gentleman, "but
am not certain that | have not lost my
way. Is this the Eldon road was
waiting for some one to come along and
direct me"
This is the Eidon road" said Jessie,
all unconscious that the last CLEANS Of the
fading sunset were lighting up her fair.
innocent face with an almost angelic beau
ty, as she stood there among the fallen
leaves.
And can you tell me the shortest foot
path TO EIardwiche Hall | have not !
been in this neighborhood since | was a
little child and l am completely at fault"
Jessie hesitated moment 81 could
show you better than l can tell you, for it
is rather a complicated road, she said,
'and if you will accept my services as
guide, it will not be much out of my way
Il shall feel very much honored," said
the stranger. Meantime let me carry
your basket"
1t was a wild and lovely walk, winding
among moss-gaglanded trees and hollows,
sweet with the aromatic incense Of dying
leaves. Jessy could not help admiring
the chivalric manners and polished cour-
tesy Of her companion, and he was more
than pleased with the blooming lovemoss
and girlish dignity Of his young guide. a
few adroit questions respecting Hardwiche
Hall and It's neigborhood, sutficed to draw
from Jessie a spirited abstract Of the cha
racter of the Hardwiche agent, aud the
impOsitiOns he was wont 10 practice upon
the tenants and neighbo.s, as well as an
arch description OF most OF the ''charact-
els" thereabouts. Then he continued to
earn all about Jessle's little school, and
her aiing mother, and he smiled to him.
self, in the twilight, to observe the pride
Of her mien, when she alluded to the nigh
position from which unforeseen reverses
nod compelled her mother to descend.
Then" she said, suddenly pausingwith
q feeling as if she had been almost too
communicative, ''if VIC could only cross
yonder lawn, the gates are close by, but
we shall have to 20 quarter Of mile
round"
why p asked the stranger.
"Mr. Talcott will not allow travellers TO
cross here-he says it is private property"
81 fancy 1 shall dare Mr.. Talcott's
wrath" said the gentleman, laughing. as
he pushed open the wire gate that defended
the forbidden space. at is perfectly ab-
surd to make people 60 quarter ola mile
out Of their way for (: mere whim.'
They had scarcely entered the enclosure,
when an unlooked-for obstacle presented
itselfin the shape fthe redoubtable Talcott
himself,who was prowling over the grounds,
on the qua viUe for trespassers.
"Hallo, here" growled he; "just turn
back, if you please. This isn't the public
thoroughfare."
The stranger held Jessie's arm under
his own little tighter, as if to repress her
evident inclination to cheat a retreat" He
was disposed to maintain his position.
81 don't see any reasonable cause why
we shouldn't go ahead" he said, pertinaci-
ously.-"There is path here, and | sup
pose it is made to walk on"
"Not for yOu," said the agent contempt
uously, $50 60 back as fast as you can"
"Is it possible that people are made to
travel circuitous and unpleasant route,
for 10 other earthly reason than your
caprices, sir?" asked the gentleman, look
ing down at the shrivelled little man, from
The altitude of his six feet, with kind OF
laughing scorn. "Did it ever occur to you'
my friena, that others had rights and cen
venlenees as well as yourself?"
tlNonit Ill, IN