Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-02-10

and they filed my souls soil [ull of singing
brooks.
When | reached the lawn before the door,
Mr.. Ames came out to see me,--so glad to
meet that he held my hand and drew me in,
asking two or three times how ] was and if
were glad 10 see him. He had called at the
house and seen Cousin Mary, on his way over,
he sad,-for he was hungering for sight Of
us. He was not looking as well as when he
left in the autumn,-thinner, paler, and with
more anxious expression when he was not
speaking; but when began to talk with him.
he frightened up,and seemed like his old self
He had two or three workmen already tearing
down portions of the finishing, and after a
few moments asked me to go round and see
what improvements he was to make We
stopped at last at his chamber, room that
looked through the foliage towards my house.
This is my lounging-place, he said, point
ing to the sofa beneath the window. Il shall
sit here with my cigar and watch you this
summer; so be circumspectl But are you
sure that you are glad to see me ?
TO be sure. Do you take me for heath
en- = said But what are you making such
a change for; Couldn't the old house con-
tent you
1T satisfies me well enough but | expect
visitors this summer who are quite fastidious'
and this old worm-eaten woodwork wouldnt t
do for them. What makes you look so dark I
Don't you like the notion of my lady VISITORS;
i didn't know that they were to be ladies
until you told me, said 'and it's none of
my business whom you entertain, Mr.. Ames.
There wasn't much of welcome for them
in your face at any rate, he answered. And
to tell the truth, | am not much pleased with
the arrangement myself. But they took a
sudden fancy for coming, and no amount OF
persuasion could induce them to change their
minds. It's hardly a suitable place for ladies;
but if they will come, the must make the best
of it,
How came you ever to take fancy to this
place and what makes you spend so much
money on it;' l asked.
You don't like to see the money thrown
away he said, laughing. 'Tho truth is, that
We got skviss-.', i.A- -..@ay @aethor man.
and I've been trying these two years to get
away from it. The first time | stopped to
rest under this tree, felt light-hearted. |
don't know why, except it was some mystic
rious influence; but l loved the place, and
love 1t no less now, although my skeleton has
found lodging-place here too.
OF course, | said, and very appropriately
The house was haunted before you came
1T was haunted for me afterward,' he said
softly, more to himself than to me sweet,
shadowy visions should be glad to call up
now And he turned away and swallowed a
sigh
pitied him all the way home, and sat up
to pity him, looking through the soft May
starlight to see the lamp burning steadily at
his window until after midnight. From that
time | seemed to have a trouble, e,-thongh !
could scarcely have named or owned it, it was
so indefinite.
/ He came to see me few days afterward
aud sat quite dull and distracted until
warmed him up with a little lively opposition
| vexed him first, and then, when | saw he
was interested enough to talk, | let him have
a chance and had never seen him so inter
esting. He showed phase of his
character, and | listened, and answered him
in as few words possible, that might lose
nothing of his revelations. When he got up
TO 90 away, asked him where he had been
to learn and think so much since the last au.
tumn. He began to be, thought and hoped,
what sterner teacher might have made him
before
He seemed little embarrassed said no
one else had discovered any change in him,
and he thought it must be only a reflected
light. He had observed that | had "a re-
markable faculty for drawing people ont
What was my witchcraft y
dsclaimed all witchcrait. and told him it
was only because | quarrelled with people.
A little wholesome opposition had warmed
him into quite fight Of fancy.
= II could only, - he began hurriedly /;
but took out his watch said it time for
him to go, and went off quite hastily. 1t was
very weak in me, but / wished very much to
know what he would have said.
The next time, he called a few moments to
tell me that his lady-visitors, with a friend of
theirs, had come, and had expressed a wish
to make my acquaintance. He promised
them that be would call and let me know
though he hoped would not come, unless
felt inclined. He was very absent-minded,
and went off the moment | asked him where
he had left his good spirits. This made me
a little cold to him when | called on the la
dies, for found them all sitting after tea out
at the door. 1t was a miserably constrained
affair, though we all tried to be civil,--for
could see that both ladies were taking, or try
ing to take, my measure, and it did not set
me at ease in the least. But in the mean
time had measured them and as expert
ence has confirmed that first impression,
may as well sketch them here. | protest, in
the first place, against any imputation OF pre-
judice or jealousy. | thought much more
charitably of them than others did.
Mrs. Winslow was one of these pleasant,
well-bred ladies, who can look at you until
you are obliged to look away, contradict you
fatty, and say the most grossly impertinent
things in the mildest voice and choicest words |