The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-06-27
MISCELLANY.
THE PROPOSAL.

certainly thought he was ''out Of his
head" lie had such peculiar ways, and
said such peculiar things; and he went
about as if he was in somnambuic state
almost that is, | don't quite mean that
but he never seemed 10 take the same
notice Of what happened about him that
other men do. And, as TO his ever being
surprised at anything, | never knew him
TO show surprise on but one occasion in
his life. What that occasion was, shall
naturally mention before | am done
His name was Joseph Harrison, and
he was student at the academy in Sand
iord-onc of the style of academies that
seem TO have nearly gone out Of date now,
where both sexes were taught under the
same roof. | attended the Sandford
school. The Principals house was on
the corner across the way from the acad-
envy, and he boarded a dozen or SO OF the
students. | was one Of these boardcrs.
shall never forget the day Mr.. lar
rison came to the house to board. | was
sitting on the second floor piazza, study
ing. 1t was late IN summer afternoon.
As he entered the gate | leaned over to
look at him, and when he was just under
meath, Glanced TO drop my book. 1t
struck him on the shoulder, and fell
thence TO the ground. He turned and
looked at it quietly, and then poked it
aside with his big cane.
What docs he carry that big cane for +?
thought | and why don't hc pick up
my book, Or look up at me, or do any
other thing that 4 rational being would /!
lie rung the bell, and | saw no more
of him till tea time lie sat directly op-
positc me at the table. Woull you be-
lievc it, he never looked at me once
nor, indeed, at any one else, it sccmcl-
which was the reason, perhaps, why
looked at him more than | ever did at
amy other young man in my lile-in tic
same length of time.
Attcr tea, we gathered in the parlor,
rs we were in the habit of doing, and he
was Introduced to me. lie bowed, and
then, for the first time, looked at me--or
rather, he looked MroHgi mc-as if he
saw something behind me, and my head
was as transparent as glass. Then he
smiled, and turned away.
confess ! was provoked at the manner
OF The young man. What amused him.
| should like TO know. When Belle lar
ris'n asked me, attcrwarl, how liked
her cousin, | said diln't like him mt all.
She only laughed, and said She believed
nobody ever dill like him at first.
$ mc5ody asked me to sing. | scatc
myself at the piano, and gave a song in
my best mannar- which | had bacn
taught TO believe was not an inferior
manner, 10y amy means. My voice i,
good, and | had received the best musical
culture. What mysterious influence was
at work upon me | did not know for if
ever thoroughly di-likcd person in my
life, | certainly di,likcd this Mr. Harris
on but it Is true, notwithstanding, that
I S@og jo, h'm; and when | turned awav
from the piano, it was with some special
curiosity | anticipated his comments, il
hc chose to make any. Or his manner and
It's meaning, he chose to hold his tongue
lfyou will believe it, the man wa,
looking at a painting on the wall-lool-
ing at it standing up, with his hands
claSped behind him, and his back to til,
company. Was there ever such a clown
"Wh is the name of that beautiful
song - asked Oryille Redwav. a young
man from the village, who had been in
vitcd to tea, and now sat with us in thc
pmlor.
| told him it.
81 must have it," said he; SIT is cx.
! qn>lc." And he tool; out his lcad-pcn-
Gil TO write on Il card the name of the
piece. lie broke his peLcil-lcad. "Wil
some one lend me knife ?" he asked
81 have left mine"
Mr.. Harrison heard the question, though
he was still looking at the painting, and
produced Il large pocket-kniie, which he
handed TO Mr.. Rcdway.
cts very sharp" said he; she care
full.
The first thing Rcdway did was to cut
his hand. The blood spirited out in i Is.
lie turned pretty white, but Just gathered
his hand in his handkerchief and said it
was "a mere Scratch" of no conse-
qucnce."
beg your pardon, sir" Mr. Harrison
spoke; Its of some consequence. You
will lose your life, if you don't look out.
I'll fix you"
lie took his own handkerchief and tied
it loosely around Redway's arm. Then
he took his knife, shut it carefully, put
it under the handkerchief next to the
arm, and began to twist it about. As
the handkerchief tightcncd on the arm,
the blood ceased t. flow.
''Send for a Doctor" said Mr. Harris
on.
"a doctor!" uttered Redway. "Isn't
this good deal of fuss over a little cut :"
"a little cut" said Mr.. Harrison,
''when-you cut an artery, is big cut"
DR.. Miner was three doors off, and he
came in a few minutes, lie expressed
great approbation of young IIarrison's
conduct.
Young Harrison, as unconcerned as a
post, had returned to his inspection of the
painting he seemed TO admire so much