Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-12-28
RACY STORY.

In mountain valley, snngly sheltered from
northern winds, stood the little cottage OF
Gabriel Heath. Its occupant---and old bear
hunter---had been a wandorer among the OF
tawas Without society, except their ooca-
sional companionship, and wholly welded 10
a wild life, yet as age came upon him, be pin
ed TO return to his kind and wear social fot-
ters.
Helen Heath inherited from her mother
the daughter Of Canadian huntor---boih her
name aud the roaming spirit Of her race.
From the days Of earliest recollection she had
been at her fathers side on the wild prairie,
or ranging over the mountains.
The old hunter delighted in nothing more
than predatory skirmishes with the Indians,
who were want to acknowledge the debt with
interest. Once with only two comrades he
was surrounded in bis trapping lodge, and for
ced to stand week S siege. Then the fearless
conduct of bis daughters child as she was.
won from him hunters praise and latherly
pride.
IL was a singular training that she received I;
wandering over an uninhabited country with a
rude hunter, shut out from education, and
only taught TO read and write by an acclden-
tai visit for few weeks at a missionary sta
tion-without means of refinement. and hdv-
ing for the language of her mind only what
could be learned from the voice of nature IN
her deepest secusion She loved the green
woods, the mighty forest, for there her soul
could live beyond the rough influence OF the
only life she had ever known.
Such was the character of our heroine.
when old Gabriel Heath exchanged his wan
Icring life for a residence in the little cottage
on the hill Here a few acres supplied him
with many of the necessities of life. aud he
had opportunity 20 follow at his pleasure.
the business of his youth and comfort seem
ed TO circle round the cottage home, whose
exterior was rendered somewhat picturesque
by the natural taste Of the daughter.
I'm fine days old Heath titled bis ground, or
hunted among the neighboring hill and by
The side OF the streams; and in upleasant
weather hc sat by the frcside, smoked his
pipe, and told huge stories Of old adventures.
A thriving village lay just behind the
range of hills among which the cottage WAS
nestled, though the cottagers formed but lit
tie society with its inhabitants
Long exposure TO the sun had yeiled but
not hidden Helen Heath's fair complexion with
a rich olive, and added to her charms Con-
stant exposure had given frmncs- and elas-
ticity TO her limbs No wonder. then. that
though not seldom seen, and still more rare
y addressed, she was deemed the belle Of the
surrounding country. Ramblers among the
hills had noticed the fair cottager, and be-
come infatuated with her beauty and naivete,
and even become suffers for her hand but
they had all been repulsed. The bold and
adventurous she instnctively disliked for the
coarseness which generally charactized them
The few of a different character who occasion
ally visited her, she did not trouble herself to
notice. OF this latter number the most prom
incnt was Thomas Clifford, young lawyer.
who had opened his office In the village
Educated in an Eastern university, and nat
urally of retired cast Of mind, Clifford had
always avoided the world, and lived only
with his books and consequently, but part
of his character had as vet been developed
In his eyes, the beautiful young cottager was
the type of what philosopher had long sought
TO find, and be determined to obtain the re-
atty of the child's freshness, while they could
only conceive the ideal, He therefore re-
solved to amend his deficiencies in her eyes,
and his sanguine nature hoped the rest.
Ola Heath looked upon marriage as a nee
essary evil, which all ought to endure some
tme and be was determined that none but a
man after his own heart should posses his
daughter, and the qualifications necessary in
his view. were strength and agility in manly
sports. lie took no pains 70 conceal his de-
termin"tien. and il was surprising how sud
denly such games rose in favor with the
young villagers.
Time passed and among those who had
gained the applause of the old hunter. was a
sturdy pioneer named Alexander Wilson.
though as yet he had never shown any pref
g. - D
brought the heart of the young lawyer to the
feet of the beautiful young cottage girl, while
to her his breathing Of heart attachment had
become an episode well cherished
We have forgotten TO mention that over the
range of hills that formed the picturesque
landscape about the mountain home, noble
river spread its liquid waters. Clifford had
always enjoyed all the sports that can be
gathered from life of rural freedom.
Strong at the oar, unearing in the aim at
the target-shot, and sinewy in the leaping wa
ger. he had become quite favorite, as well
as the envy Of his cotempororos.
In all of his manly feats. Helen Heath was
the first to praise and while her pride Of his
masculine requirements was increasing, she
could not but also feel admiration for his
mental attainments, which after all, found a
something hluulth anu touEtlidl Nltulh NtI
own bosom.
One afternoon, as young Clifford was stroll
ling along the shores of the stream above
mentioned. he saw the iavorite of old Heath,
the trapper Wilson, push off in "A skif. Hav-
ing frequently been brought in contact with
him, while pursuing their tavorite feats of
strength Clifford out OF friendship walked to
the water edge. and wished him pleasant
voyage,
" 1t cannot but be pleasant such a day as
this. Come, try hand with us at an oar this
splended weather, returned Wilson.
The temptation was too great TO be with
stood. and Clifford stepped into the boat,
which in a moment shot out upon the water,
rising and falling with the waves, and Yield
ing to the pressure Of the sturdy oars. For
long time the skif continued to move out
upon the stream at last the breeze stiffened,
and the two companions rested upon their
oars, to enjoy the movement o the boat. as
it tossed to and fro. The sun was sinking
slowly in the west, and darting his horizon
tai rays across the troubled waters. At last,
Wilson said, with a smile,
" 1t is now sunset and even tide. / have
an engagement-let us return to land"
" Certainly replied his friend, especial
ly if your rendezvous be Of an interesting ma
ture perchance with lady-love,"