Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-01-10

"Pardon me-" said a voice that instantly
reassured her, for it was too gentle to
come from any but a gentleman, ''but [
am 1fot certain that [ have not lost my
way. Is this the Eden road [ was
| waiting for some one to come and direct
me-"
| This is Eden road, said Jessie, all
uncoffscious that the last CLEANS of the
fading sunset were tightening up her fair,
innocent face With an almost angelic
beauty, as she stood there among the fall
en- leaves.
"And can you tell me the shortest foot
path to Hardwiche Hall? have not
been in the neighborhood since [ was a
little child, and am completely at fault"
Jessie hesitated moment. 81 could
show you better than 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 garlanded trees and hollows,
sweet with aromatic incense of dying
leaves. Jessie could not help admiring
the chivalric manners and polished cour-
| tesy Of her companion, and he was more
| than pleased with the blooming loyeliness
and girlish dignity of his young guide. A
few adroit questions respecting Hardwiche
Hall and its neighborhood, sufiiced to
draw forth a spirited abstract of the char
acter of the Hardwiche agent, and the inn
positions he was won't to practice upon
the tenants and neighbOrs, as we'll as an
arch description of most of the - charac-
ters' thereabouts. Then he continued TO
learn all about .JeSsie's little school, and
her ailing mother, and he smiled 10 him
self, in the twilight, to observe the pride
of her mein. when she alluded 10 the high
position from which unforeseen reverses
had compelled her mother TO descend.
''Th,n," she said, suddenly pau>ing with
feeling as if she had been too commune
cative, IF we could only cross yOnder
lawn, the gates are close by, but we shall
have to go a quarter of a mile round"
"Why:" asked the stranger.
Mr. Talcott will not allow travellers
to cross here-he says it is private prop
crtv.''
Il fancy l shall dare Mr.. Talcott'>
wrath said the gentleman, laughing, "a
he pushed open the wine gate that defend
ed the forbidden space. 1T is perfectly
absurd to make people 60 quarter OF a
mile out of their way for mere whim."
They had scarcely entered the encloS-
ure when they met an unlooked-tor obsta-
Gle, Tacott himself who was prowling
over the grounds on the quj ,ire for tres
pasacrs.
Halo, here" growled he just turn
back ii you please. This isn't the public
thoronghtare"
The stranger held Jessic's arm under
hi, own little tighter, as if to repress her
evident inclination to - beat retreat. -
He was disposed to maintain hi, position.
Il don't see any reasoable cause why
we shouldn't 90 ahead" he said, pertina-
ciously There is a path here and sup
pose it was made to walk on"
Not for you," said the agent, contempt
uoualy, $50 90 back as fast as you can"
is it possible that people are made to
travel circuitous and unpleasant route,
for no other earthly reason than your ca
prices sir:" asked the gentleman, looking
down at the little man, from the altitude
of his six feet, with a kind of laughing
scorn. Did it ever occur to you, my
good friend, that others had rights and
conveniences as we'll as yourself!"
Cant help their rights-nothing to
me-" snarled the agent, planting himself
obstinately in the path. [ forbid all pass
ing here -
But l suppose Everard Hardwiche
may have the privilege of crossing his own
land ?" persisted the stranger, still present
ing the half contemptuous smile that had
from the beginning made the agent so un-
comfortable.
Talcott grew, not exactly pale, hut yell
low with CONSERVATION.
Mr.. Hardwiche-sir, did not know
we did not expect"
''No-I know you didn't, my good man.
Be so good as to step aside and allow me
to pass with the lady Miss Jessie, don't
forget that l need your services few
minutes yet. When we reach the house,
prolong my walk to your cottage. Nay,
don't shrink away from me-are we not
to be very good friends z"
The prettiest girl ! ever saw in my
life" was his internal comment, as he at
length parted from her at the little gate,
where burning bushes" and dark green
ivy were trained together with all wo-
mans taste.
The Christmas SHOWS lay white and
| Joo,, ~, fba aaUoc-tba Christ