Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-05-24
THE FIRST LOVE.

CdI anu tuIte hIttcuS DhahSu III wv
warmth, and decrepid yellow dog lyini
full in the reflection of the blaze, wink
led bis black nose approvingly, and hc
turned his hind feet where his fore fee
had been.
Over the chimney hung several fine
hams and pieces of dried beef. Apple:
were festooned along the ceiling, and
crook-necked squashes wed with red pep
pers and slips Of dried pumpkin in gar
nishing each window frame. There were
plants, too, on the window ledges horse
shoe geraniums, aud dew plants, and a
monthly rose just budding, to say nothing
of pot Of violets that perfumed the
whole place whenever they took it into
their purple heads to bloom.
The floor was carefully swept,-the
chairs had not a speck Of dust upon lee
or round--the long settee near the fire.
place shone as if it had just been varnish,
ed--and the eigbt-day clock in the cor
ner had lis white face newly washed, and
seemed determined to tick the louder for
it. Two arm chairs were drawn up at a
cozy distance from the hearth and each
other; a candle, newspaper, pair of
spectacles, a dish Of red-cheeked apples.
and a pitcher of cider filed little table
between them.
In one Of these chairs sat a comfortable
looking woman Of forty-fye, with cheeks
as red as the apples, and eyes as dark and
bright as they had ever been, resting her
elbow on the table, and looking thought
fully into the fire. This was widow Cobb,
"elict" OF Deacon Levi Cobb. who had
been mouIderng into dust in the Bytown
churehyard for more than seven years.
She was thinking Of her dead husband,
possibly because-al her work being
done aud the servants gone to bed-the
sight Of his empty chair at the side of
the table, and the stiffness Of the room
made her a littIe lonely.
Seven years, so the widows reverie
ran, 1t seems as if it were more than
fdy. and yet l don't look so very old Ell
ther. Perhaps its not having any chill
dren to bother my life out as otherpeo-
pie have. They may say what they ike,
children are more plague than profit,
that's my opinion. Look at my sister
Jerusda with her six boys. She's worn
to shadow, and Imsure they have done
it, though she never will own i!.'
The widow took an apple from the dish
and began to peel it;
How dreadful fond Mr. Cobb used to
be Of these gratis. He never will eat
any more Of them, poor fellow, for l don't
suppose they have apples where he has
gone to. Hegho! I remember very
well how used to throw apple psrings
over my head when | was a girl to see
whom ! was going to marry
Mrs. Cobb stopped short and blushed. /
In those days she did not know Mr.. Cobb (
and was always looking to see if the peel
had formed capital s. Her meditation
took a new turn.
'How handsome Sam Psyson was, and
how much used to care about him /
wonder what has become of him Jeru-
sha says he went away from our village
just after / did and no one has ever heard
of him since. And what a silly thing
that quarrel was If it had not been for
that -
Here came a very long pause, during
which the widow looked very steadfastly
at the empty arm chair Of Levi Cobb,
deceased. Her fingers played carelessly
with the apple pairing; she drew it safely
toward her and looked around the room.
Upon my word, it is very ridiculous,
and | don't know what the neghbors
would say if they saw me-.
Sill the plump fingers drew the peel
nearer.
But then, they cant see me, that's a
comfort, and the cat and old Bowse new
er will know what it means. OF course
don't believe anything about it.
The pairing hung gracefully from her
hand
But still should like to try tit
would seem so much ike old times, and
Over her head it went and curled quiz
city on the floor at a little distance Old
Bowse, who always slept with one eye
open, saw it fall, and marched deliber-
liely up to smell of it.
'Bowse, Bowse, don't touch it ? cried I
his mistress, and bending over it with a
)eating heart, she turned as red as fire. I
There was as handsome a capital S as
my one would wish to see t
a great knock came suddenly at the t
- II ,