Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-11-28
Alistfllallp.
Tirst and Last A Retrospect.

felt very tired Of my lot in life, that long
June afternoon which | remember so we'll l
remember it, because, on looking back, il always
seems a. if that afternoon were the beginning OF
all actual experience for me. Before that had
been con,ented enough with every day as 1t came.
| hardly know why such o mood OF restless dis
satisfaction took possession of me then. Perhaps
II was because had heard that Squire Esterleys
family had just come to town. They had been
good while in Europe. had not seen them
since was fourteen. When we parted May
E,terley and had kissed each other good-by like
sisters Bu, thought II would all be different
now. An unexpected fortune had descended to
them from some English relative, Just before they
went away, making them very reh. Naturally
they had gone abroad to see about their new
possessions and being there had fingered on ior
three years, until pretty May Esterley and her
sisters we're young ladies. We bad heard oil
them back again la,t iall-essbllshed in a hand
some house in New York-snd all the spring
past workmen had been busy making OF the cid
Esterley place a summer residence befttlng the
present grandeur OF the family fortunes.
From my western window, where sat screened
by green vines from the hot afternoon sun,
could look over to the great house on the hill.
II had been good, roomy, old fashioned house
before but now wing had been thrown out
here and piszz, there, and it looked very state
ly and imposing. Up TO it led broad circular
carriage drive, strewn With some sort OF glitter
ing white gravel, and flashing in the sunshine
The field east Of the house had been turned into
a green lawn, dotted here and there with round
beds of glyly-colored flowers. Under the trees
hammocks were swung; rustic seats here and
there, invited you to resti the whole place was
so evidently fitted up for ease and elegance and
luxurious pleasure, that, | suppose, the contrast
it offered to the plain and homely details OF farm
life. with which | had always been surrounded,
was too much for me.
| could have borne il better, perhaps, il while
| watched handsome open carriage had not
bowed by containing the three Miss Esterleys
and their brother Tom. The girls wsre dressed
in delicate mu,ins, with bright ribbons and soft
aces, dalnty goyed hands, and such oonne,s as
Sayyille had never looked upon tefore. lhey
drove home and after the carriage had been sent
away | could see them walking about, Their lght
dresses auttering here and there in the grounds.
Middle.aeed woman as | sm now-knowlng
well how short this travel Of life is-teelng that
our great concern is with the end OF the Journey
not with the thorns or the flowers that grow along
the hiphway-I look back with strange pity al
my eighteen-years-old self and the hot disgust
that swept over my soul that summer afternoon ~
at my lot. got up, ! remember, and lookea IN
the little glass when hung over my tolet-Iaele'
The hos | saw there was certainly beautiful
There is no vanity, am sure, IN rememoering-
now that the bright tints have all iaded, now 'hs'
my eyes are dim, and my hair is ilecked WIN Sill
yer instead Of gold-a that young wealth o.
bloom and briance. hold that beauty Is one
Of Gods good gifts, which We are as much bound
% recognize and be thankful ior as Tor oar aallj