The Portland daily press., 1863-01-30
MISCELLANY.
Aunt Miriam,s Adventure.

sunset IRE mad poured us ndihihS tiuco lohS
since into the great unseen chalice of splendor
that lies hidden somewhere beyond the west
ern horizon line the monumental urn where
rest untombed alike, the days crowned with ro-
ses, and those baptized with tears. There was
no sound without, save the branches of the
huge sycamore tree chatting uneasily against
the moss-enameled roof and the planning wind
among the brown and scarlet drifts of leaves
that carpeted every dingle of the woods.
Within, the red bricks of the hearth had been
swept until they shone as if carved in coral,
and the many tongues of flame danced and
cracked among the gigantic logs like band
of elfn spirits. The cricket that harbored
somewhere in the chimney corner had COM
nenced his yespers, and Aunt Miriam Fenners
brisk knitting needles shone and glanced in
the freight as she sat there In an old-fash-
toned cap border and spectacles, looking al
most as pretty--so Uncle Peter thoughts
she used to look in the days when he came
sparkling, and was wont to contemplate the ey-
olutions of her cleaning needles while he con-
sidered what was best to say next!
Nobody would have suspected Peter of any
such romantic meditation, as he sat there sort
ing out seed corn and packages OF blue beans
ON his round table, and labelling them with
portentous elaboration! so little do we know
what is passing in one another's minds!
There was third person sitting in the red
hearth-glow however; young man of about
twenty-lour years of age, with dark brown
hair, and eyes TO correspond. who amused
himself by tantalizing Aunt Miriam's kitten
with the good old lady's ball of yarn-the ami
NAL like all the rest of her sex, becoming
more and more anxious for the woolly sphere
the higher it was held.
$50 you've really made up your mind TO
get married, James-do stop teasing that kit
TEMP said the old lady with constrained
voice.
There was a silence again. james Arnett
wound and unwound his yarn very unnecessa-
rily: Uncle Peter eyed his seed peas thought
fully, and Mrs. Fenner knit energeticay on,
with pursed up lips, and a scarcely percep,i-
Bile shrug of the shoulders. "Aunt Miriam, l
wish you could see Millicent," said the young
man at length.
~ can't say have any desire to see your
city young ladies, James," said Aunt Miriam,
coldly; "they're too fine spun for an old wo-
man like me. White hands and piano playin'
may be very grand-I dare say it is-but it
don't suit my TASTE
"But, Aunty, am sure you would like her.
Come, now. do be reasonable, and go over 10
SQUIRE Brownel's with me tonight; she is
spending week at her grandfather's, and she
would be so much gratified TO see you"
"Thank you, amt curious on the subject,
responded Aunt Miriam, primly. "Only /
heerd that Miss Brownell had a bad stroke of
the rheumatic, and / don't see how she gets
along to wait on her new-fangled grand-dar-
ter
Il can't understand why you are preudiced
against poor Millicent, Aunt Miriam" said the
young man, earnestly. Il won't disguise from
you that il makes me very unhappy to think
of marrying without the approval of one who
has been mother to me, and yet"
"And yet you're determined to 60 your
own gait; that's the plain English oft, James,
said Aunt Miriam. "Well, s'pose you can
do without my consent; you'll never get it,
anyhow" Aud she poked the fire vigorously
as the old clock began to strike.
"Seven O'clock" calculated James, starting
up, sand promised to be at the post Office by
this time. There's to be a meeting about the
minister's Thanksgiving dontaron party, you
know, Uncle Peter! Bless me, didn't mag
inc how late it was'
And. with a gay parting nod to his aunt, he
disappeared.
"There he goes, as good boy as ever lived"
said Uncle Peter; "but guess afore the eve
ming comes to an end, he'll contrive to get
round to Squire Brownells Miriam, you
may as well say yes to tibet affair at once; he's
determined to marry the gal, rings, and city
fashions, aud ALL"
81 wish we'd never sent him to college nor
New York; sighed Mrs. Fenner; then he
would not have come across this city sweet
heart"
"Then he ha come across somebody else;
so it's broad as it is long," remarked Uncle
Peter, philosophically.
"Yes, but it might have been a smart, stirr-
ing gal who knew how to keep house, not a
needless toy, good for nothin' but to hang gay
clothes on. tell you, Peter, can't approve
of it, nohow.'
Uncle Peter whistled shark from the tombs
doleful sound,' and returned once more to
the contemplation of his melon seeds and corn
kernels.
Nine o'clock; the FIRE covered with mound
of brown ashes; the cricket chirping drowsiy
and Uncle Peter snoring melodiousy from
an inner room, still Mrs. Fenner sat mechanic
ally playing her knitting needles; yet uncon-
scions that the kitten was frolicking about, and
hopeessly, entangling her precious ball Of
home spun yarn-deaf and dumb and blind to
everything but her own thoughts.
Il wonder" she began, and then stopped
"After all, " she mentally resumed the next min
ute, "there can't be any harm in it, if just
slip on my hood and shawl and go through the
orchard path, across to Squire Brownell's. Not
Not that I'd go in--not a bit of it: but I'd
merely peep in at the window as l went past
would like to see what sort of a face it is.
that has bewitched James so completely; but
he must never be any the wiser for To"
She pondered a second or two longer, then
rose hurriedly. extinguished the little candle
that stood in shining brass candle-stick on
the mantel, listened moment TO the unbroken
monotony of Uncle Peters snores, and muffling
shawl around her head, withdrew the bolt of
the kitchen door and crept out into the star
less gloom of the November night!
1t was but short distance, under the leafess
branches of the gnarled old apple trees and
into turnpike road. Aunt Miriam felt little
conscience stricken as she lifted the wicket of
Squire Brownels gate, and stole noiselessly
up the chrysanthemum bordered walk she
couldn't help wondering what Elder Oliver
would say If he were to become aware that
she, the sagest old lady in the congregation,
were prowling about like thief in the night
ats all for james sake" said the venerable
dame, under BREATH as she pushed aside the
great sweet brier that hung over the panes,
and peeped slyly into the window.
Mrs Browne sat in a big armchair by the
fire, her feet swathed in flannel; the squire was
smoking pipe over three days old ne wspaper;
and before pine table, at the other end of
the ROOM stood a rosy-cheeked girl of perhaps
seventeen the sleeves of her merino dress rolled
up above pair of exquisitely dimped elbows
and her hands buried in wooden tray of -four
engaged, in fact, in the operation which
housekeepers call setting a sponge" So
much at home did she seem in the culinary art,
that Aunt Miriam said TO hersefv very decidedly
This can't be the city visitor Il wonder where
she Is = when her doubts were all dispelled by
Mrs. Brownell's voice:
"Millcent, wish you'd write out the recent
for that cake you made for teal don't see
where you learned 20 be so handy about the
housew 4G
9Nhy prandmamma y said tna yo,....-