The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-11-11

n"i - rs IL ne feared any reminiscence
OF the past. SO every effort of the
young girl to combat this species of
hatred had hitherto proved useless
but hers was one of those gentle and
courageous hearts which never weary
in trying to do good.
Meanwhile, the day appointed for
the marriage of Dorothy and William
had arrived. According to the custom
of the place, the marriage ceremony
was otto take place till after midnight,
in the protestant church; but the
friends of the family had been invited
to meet earlier for the wedding sup
per
They arrived before the close Of the
day and We're received by William and
Dorothy. When they We're all assem-
bled, Lollen wished to leave them, to
see if all the arrangements were
complete. Dorothy objected
a thousand pardons, my father,
she said, putting her arms around his
neck; "hut l forbid you to leave us.
"And why SO? demanded the Major,
smiling.
Because this day you have no right
to command here"
'How so 2"
q am sole mistress"
"She is right" cried Counsellor
Hortman, laughing
but l do not understand-"
This is ST. Leonard's Dayl"
Good Heaven, l had forgotten it
cried Lo6en.
1T is St. Leonard's Day repeated
all voices; you are not master in your
own house, Major"
St Leonards Day, which is through
all Bavaria day Of rejoicing, is cele-
braled at Hof in a very peculiar man
ner An ancient custom orduins that
the natural order established in fami-
lies be reversed on that day and that
the authority exercised by the parents
pass entirely into the hands of their
children. 1t is sort Of Christian
transformation of the Saturnalia Of
Rome, when the slaves regained for
some hours their liberty, and in their
turn were served by their masters.
The Major, who had always scrupu-
lousy conformed to tho old custom,
smilingly answered his daughter that
he should leave to her and to William
the management Of everything.
Then, said Dorothy 'it is under
stood that you submit to the laws Of
St Leonards Day"
Certainly"
"And you promise, on your honor to
accept in all things, your children for
masters
Il pledge my honor to it; but we
shall see what use you viii make Of
your power"
"Our friends shall be the judges Of
that, said Dorothy turning toward the
guests.
q shall have, however, an adviser. -
"Who shall it be-"
"a lady with whom / became ac-
quaintod on my last visit to the Presi-
dents daughter"
you did not mention it to me"
no; but she arrived this morning
at HoA met her accidentally as l
was returning from church, and have
invited her here this evening"
without consulting me?" said the
Major, astonished.
at is St Leonard's Day, father" OBJ
served Dorothy.
Loffen could not restrain gesture
Of displeasure,
"And might l ask, at least, the name
Of this unknown" said he.
Here she comes, interrupted VIII
liam.
Dorothy and he ran to meet her.
The Major, who was seated near a
window, rose quietly, leaned over the
balcony and recognized Charlotte.
1t would be difficult to describe what
passed in the soul OF Loffen on seeing
her 1t was at first mixture of sur
prise, of confusion, and of anger; but
the latter feeling soon gained the mas
terry. 1t was evident that all had been
arranged between Dorothy and her
mother; reconciliation was what they
wanted, and, to force it upon him, they
had counted upon his establishment,
his embarrassment, his weakness, per
haps This last idea reused his indig-
nation. Age had not SO Gained his
spirit but that vexation could still with
him, be easily changed into anger. His
first impulse was to repulse both moth
er and daughter, and to shut himself
in his room; but the presence of his
ollests restrained him