Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-01-14

nad before assumed
81 am your cousin, Lorin Lee, from Kicker
Mountain" Quietly measuring the tall dark
gentleman with my eye replied candidly, as l
again glanced forward in search of the light
vested stranger had Scent
81 don't know but you are but don't be-
lieve it."
In the most perfectly business like way, he
drew, from his vest pocket, the letter we had
written a little time before, and, opening it,
asked if | would acknowledge my hand writing
but he could not watch the expression of won
der, which came in my face, without the old
laughs appearing in his eyes. aud then--I knew
him My first inquiries were for Helen, whose
motherly feeling had led her to remain at home
willingly as they could not well bring both the
children.
We had a bit of laugh, as we walked from
the depot, over my second blunder and | tried,
unsuccessfuly to have my husband make sim
liar one. Then both the gentlemen rallied me
upon forgetting my friends so readily that, after
a separation of less than three months, cousin
must present his credentials, to get shake of
the hand or a chance at the supper table. Oc-
casoaaly, to this day. Lorn tells me of my not
recognising him, as though he had not deliber-
ately Flanned to puzzle me. Only this morn
ing, at the breakfast table, he assured us ALL
that he began to think that he should have to
take the return train, when he was so lucky as
to think of that letter. Lucky Don't know
that he put it in that pocket, on purpose to call
it credentials? We might have stood there
disputing till the crowd had so far dispersed, |
would not have staid longer with him, if he had
possessed no better proof of his identity, than
paper, such low browed man might have
stolen. Pushing up his hat some inches would
have answered his purpose, if he had cared for
ever, he knows that | don't object to peoples
laughing at me, if can enjoy laughing with
them. My first mistake taught me to look out
not to shake hands with man, merely because
he seems willing, and, from my second, learn
ed that, when | find gentleman beardless at
midsummer, | am not, from that, to conclude
that he cannot raise handsome whiskeis.
Lorins visit at our house was very pleasant
one; but | need not dwell upon it. Among
the many new acquaintances, to whom we in
troduced him, he naturally laid aside all boyish
sportiveness and, with unaffected manly digni-
ty, Joined us in repeated visits to the Fair
Ground, as well as to places of more permanent
interest, in our pleasant village.
Then followed years, when our intercourse
was again confined to correspondence. Helen's
family cares increased, and my health failed so
that we did not even write as often as had been
our WOnl; Dul We ulu WTltc OCctSlOudllNs Inc
cheerful, lively letters, which Lorin sent ever
wakening responsive, mirthful notes in my ma
ture, the heartfelt sympathy in my repeated be-
reavements, and loving appreciation Of my ev-
cry word for the public ear, which llelen's pen
expressed, and my replies to both, kept the
chain of affection, which united us, bright and
strong for use.
Something more than three months ago, my
physician very decidedly recommended some
change of scene, as likely to conduce to my
restoration to health. knew that Lorin's fam
lily was large and Heens domestic cares heavy
SO that was not certain they could well ac
commodate an invalid and child, for any long
| period. but was very sure that, if they coult
not, there would be no other more Cheerful
mental influence for me, than that of the moth
er, from whom Lorin inherited his buoyant
! ia'"'htnl nature. fhnreforn came IN her. ~ ~
same time writing to cousins, that should
make them a short visit, at least, so soon as
should be able
Lorin came Immediately to assure me, tina
! Helen and himself would take no denial, t
their request that their home should be mine
so long as should be willing to stay away from
my own. His strong, cheerful companonshil
was like cordial to me, when | was so weak ant
unnerved; and readily promised that if h
would come again, when l should have spent
fortnight at the homes of his father and tn
brother who lived near, would go home witt
him. | did not know, until his mother told me
after he was on his way home, that he had hop
ed that would accompany him then, and ha'
only been prevented from insisting upon my 81
doing, by fears that the ride would be too muc
for me, until had more fully recovered, iron
the effects of my journey in the cars. He cam
again, some days before the appointed time, be
ing prompted by Helens impatience to see me
and fear that the weather would soon be cold
| er.
We enjoyed the ride, of twenty miles, on on
of the very brightest days of this years Octo
Der, and Helen's kindly, cordial welcome wa
all my heart could have desired The house
and its surroundings, are pleasanter than wa
the home, where visited my cousins, five year
ago, and they too grow stronger and better, q
they advance towards middle life. They ar
more enthusiastically glad to have me with then
and more anxious to do all that is possible fo
my recovery than | had thought to find then
Strong, kind-hearted Helen would gladly cor
vince me that our presence makes no apprecia
BILE addition to her cares, while she looks throug
the morbid self-distrust, which is nearly insepi
rable from physical weakness, and assures m
that | am vet ever SO far from uselessness. Th
children too, of whom there are now four, cor
slider my little, noisy boy as quite one of then
selves, and if they occasionally have a bit
difficulty, over a confusion of mine and thin
Heens gentle remonstrance, or Lorin's goo
humored proposal to "organise" them, speedil
sets all to rights. Pleasant, conscientious litt
Ruth, also, our faithful maid of all work, is eve
ready to do all in her power, and that is no tr
he, to make my stay here pleasant one.
And now, my good friends, if would avoi
objectionable egotism, must close my sketc
, Many of you would be interested in such O
account, as l should enjoy writing for you,
, our Merry Christmas and exhilarating sleigl
, rides. have certainly written, with my though
lingering upon these friends but to those wi
have read, and judged, my words as stranger
let me say that, most likely there are few amor
! you who do not know and esteem some on
+ whom l also know and love, or respect al
such may let the natural sceneny about you, u
ON which my memory loves to linger, form
g chord of sympathy between us, sufficient to a
3 quit me of any charge of unwomanly boldnes
! in supposing you have found my little sketc
! none the less interesting, for its truth.
Dec. 20, 1859.
a A VALUABLE TABLE.-The following tab
will be found very valuable to many of o.
readers;
g A box "a inches by l6 inches square and