The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-11-18

was wishing Donald at the bottom of
the sea-" Being naturally impetuous,
burst out with
eye need ma hand sac gingerly,
Helen, as if we feared ia. | can aye
carry We lighter than Donald can half
of ye"
Surprised at the vehemence of my
tone, our queen interposed with an adj
mission that we were both strong, and
that she had no idea of sparing my
powers But Donald's ire was kindled,
and he utterly denied that l was at all
qualified to compete with him in feats
Of moral courage. On such topics
boys are generally emulous, and by
the time we reached the opposite bank,
it was settled that the point should be
determined by our singly carrying
Helen across the ford in our arms.
Helen was to determine who had
carried her most easily, and l settled
with myself privately in advance, that
the one who had obtained the prefer
ence would really be the person who
stood highest in her affections. The
reflection stimulated me to exert every
effort and / verify believe to this day,
that / could have carried Donald and
Helen on either arm like feathers.
But / must not anticipate.
We suffered all the rest of the party
to pass quietly along, and then re-
turned to the ford. / lifted Helen
with the utmost ease, and carried her
like an infant to the middle of the wa
ter Jealousy had inspired a warmer
love, and it was with feelings unknown
before that l embraced her beautiful
form and felt the presence of her check
against mine All went swimmingly,
or rather wadingly, for minute. But
alas, in the very deepest part of the
ford, / trod on treacherous bit of
wood which rested, l suppose, on a
smooth stone. Over | rolled, bearing
Helen with me, nor did we rise until
fairly soaked from head to foot
l need not describe the taunts of
Donald, or the more accusing silence
of Helen. Both believed that l had
fallen from mere weakness, and my RI
val demonstrated his superior ability,
by bearing her in his arms for a long
distance on our homeward path As
we approached the house, Helen, feel
ing dry and better humored, attempt
ed to conciliate me. But l preserved
silence. l was mortified beyond re-
dress.
That night packed up q few thing
and ran away. My boyish MUD, sensi-
tive and irritated, exaggerated the eu-
cation which it had received, and
prompted me to a course which fortu-
nately led me to better results than
usually attend such irregularities.
went to Edinburgh, where l found al
uncle, kind-hearted, childless man
who gladly gave me place in bust
ness Wealth flowed in upon him.
became his partner-went aboard
resided four years on the continent
and finally returned TO Scotland, rich
educated, in short, everything, bu
married.
One evening, while at a ball in Glas
gov, was struck by Young lady o
unpretending appearance, but whose
remarkable beauty end heightened ex
preston indicated mind of more thai
ordinary power. was introduced
but the Scottish names had long beei
unfamiliar to my ear, and | could no
catch hers. 1t was Helen something
and there was something in the face
too, that seemed something
suggestive of pleasure and pain.
But we became well acquain ed tina
evening l learned without difficult,
her history. She was from the coun-
} try, had been educated, her parents
had lost their property, and she wa
} now a governess in family of the city
was fascinated with her converse
ton and was continually reminded, b.
| her grace and refinement of manner
! that she was capable of moving Will
distinguished success in far highe
sphere than that which fortune seemed
to have allotted her. l am neithe
: laxative nor prone to confidence; bu
there was that in this young lad,
which inspired both, and l converse'
with her as had never conyersed witt
any. Her questions of the variou
, countries with which was familiar
indicated a remarkable knowledge O
literature, and an incredible store G
| information.
We progressed in the intimacy, an
a l.. 4 Il.