Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-04-11
HOW LOST MY LOVER.
BY NELL PiTTs1NGER.

"Be careful of the fire, Nelly" was the last
injunction of a thousand that my parents gave
me, as they started off on a visit to some rela-
tives residing eastward, beyond the White
Mountains. They were to remain absent about
fortnight; and / was to be commander-in-
chief of rows of shining milk pans, potts. ket-
ties, and household affairs in general and in
particular
Farmers wives know that this is a post of
considerable importance, one of hard duty and
constant watchfulness. / was so thoroughly
convinced Of my competency as as housewife
that | was sorely rritated when my good mother
implied doubts of it, by her countless and re-
peated charges.
Now, thought, 81 am in my glory" as
sat down to recover the breath and patience
had lost in racing after collars, gloves, pins and
neck ties and in order to prepare for COM
moncing operations, which l resolved should
astonish my unbeeving parents and show them
what treasure Of daughter they unwittingly
possessed, glanced around. The rooms were
in woeful confusion. Band-boxes, boots, coats
pants, and cast off shirts, were scattered over
the floor and chairs cobwebs hung from the
ceiling and windows on the table lay a huge
pile of unwashed dishes and the half opened
doors revealed tumbled beds and mussy toilet
stands. This accumulation of disorder would
have driven Lord Chesterfield distracted; and
no wonder that the mirror opposite reflected a
heated and impatient face. | was no longer to
be daunted, however, Tor had a notion to try
what pair of spry feet and hands could ac-
complish. At that instant, the old clock in the
sitting-room pealed forth one, two three, four,
five; the morning was yet young, and | arose
with quick step and a light heart. Broom,
brush, dishcloths, and persevering labor, got the
mastery; and | shortly surveyed with proud
satisfaction, the beautiful order | had brought
about. Something still was wanting, and
snatching my broad brimmed hat from its ac-
customed nail with eager footsteps l sought my
flower garden. Selecting choice roses, pansies
and verbenas, | transferred them to our cosy
parlor, very angels of fragrance and beauty.
Nor was this all. determined to get dinner
that would shed honor upon me; so, barring my
arms was soon deep in Aunt Dnah's myster-
les, thought busy, and, as the sequel will prove
though wondering.
Through the tender care OF the novelist 9
heroine retains the immaculate whiteness of the
robes even though she should wade through Q
mud puddle. He knows it would never do &c
introduce her washing, with bed raggled and
bespattered skirts it would sound unromantic
Well, | was once simple enough to believe al
his fibs, and inclined to initiate his lady Angea'
in dress; so | donned my daintiest white mus
lin While stood before the glass, | coulc
not help feeling good deal of natural, feminine
vanity for was looking my very best. True
, my figure was rather too Short and its proper
ton was of too healthy fullness for elegance
and, according to the American type of beauty
! my check was of too rich color; but | wa
pretty-there was no gainsaying it. My short
thick curls, and bright black eyes were attrac
tive and l knew that l was a vain puss then
petted, half-spoilt only daughter, and heires
to broad acres. You'll ask for whom were nj
, these preparations? Certainly not for lon
me.
Who ever heard of girl of eighteen work
ing and puttering at such a rate, when sh
does expect beauP You see knew, intutivc
~, that Philip Dean would come-you knoN
Philip? There had been little kindness grow
ing up between us two from mere babyhooC
: He had carried my dinner basket night an
K morning, during all our school days, and a
n ways insisted that | was much handsomer an
e better than a rival belle, sweet Jenny Wheeler
Besides, he won my girlish gratitude, by sill
working ou for me the long, hard sums in III
old arithmetic-no wonder he was undispute
! owner of a large share of my affections.
; Since had donned large frocks, had bee
o almost invariably his company to all the singin
+ schools, picncs, sleigh rides, and boating e,
if
evenings of the week at our house; yet, wit
all this attention, he had never spoken wor
of love- Somehow, | had presentiment, Cyo
i. girls understand this,) that declaration woul
" soon be made. | was not mistaken. 1t wa
q not long ere heard step on the gravelled wal
% % that could belong to no other but himsel
ID Looking backward over the train OF years,
seemed strange what fntter, futter, there WI
about my heart. Philips CHEEKY good morl
= ing in no wise tended to allay my perturbatio
His hazel eyes had never appeared so handson
q and impassionate before; nor had he been Ina
so entertaining-Oh! | was proud Of hir
ne We set near each Others so near that he toyt
Al with my hand. 1t was way Philip had, and
thought nothing of it.
al "Iiow charmingly you are looking, Nelly
he said, moving a degree nearer.
H. Now, don't believe that person lives wi
does not like little fiottery, given in the rig
u manner, time and place, in spite Of what wis
g lngs say, or may have said to the contrary
Our sex is said to be most pleased with it, al
in its name, plead guilty to the weakness
= Freely do own that have liked it from n
pinafores and, surely, under such circumsta
- ces, il must have been agreeable The col
l. pimentary speech recorded above, was iC
o, lowed by very awkward pause, during viii
time we blushed to the rims Of our ears.
= "Nelly," he continued, you know | have
- sister. Sometimes | am very lonely. n