The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-03-15
A New England Tragedy.

AOH On6Auhu AAuOVuJ'
You would have thought it the very las
place for tragedy, that little Vermont vii
Iage, shut in among the quiet hills, where
passed the summer of 1859. 1t was pIac,
absolutely, as it seemed, set apart from the
outside world by those green submits
which circled round it so protectingly; SUN
mits which caught the first sunbeams, ant
said of eacif new day, lit is good, whilc
yet the valley where the little village clus
tered was dusSy in the shadowy morning
twilight had gone there just because II
was one of those restful spots where a yeal
seems twice as long as elsewhere l was
tired with the fever and turmoil of life, ano
wanted a little space in which to pause ano
gather strength for the coming time.
took up my abode with Mrs. Payne, wild
ow, and good, kind, Inotherly soul
She had lived alone in her little vine-sha-
ded cottage for the two years since her
husband died; and she was heartily glad
of another inmate to share her solitary
meals, and enliven her life with little con-
versation now and then. She was the very
kindest and gentlest of gossips-that is, she
knew all her neighbors affairs as well as
they themselves did, and liked to talk them
er misjudged any onfs aud was the most
merciful OF critics
so you're goin' to walk to the post-office,
are you p she said one night, as put on
any shawl aud bonnet after an early tea
We'll, wish you'd take notice who waits
on you-there's two of 'em there.
1t was half a mile. l had never taken
the walk before, neighbor's boy having
always brought my letters But | was
getting strong III the mountain air, and felt
quite able to go. besides had an errand to
do. AS walked on, under the apple trees
all in bloom, my thoughts grew so busy
with far away things that had forgotten
Mrs. Paynes remark until it was recalled
to my miBd by the excessive polite eager
ness with which young man came forward
as | entered the nondescript establishment
which combined in itself post office, dry
goods shop and grocery store, after the
ananner of little New England villages -
This young man displayed. in.eyeY one OF
his words and movements such thorough
self-satisfaction that you were at once
tempted to search for the secret Of sosbonhb
less content. He was just the%fallo9 to
be the gallant of country village. and
turn the heads of all the .gillysglrS whose
ideas of q gentleman had been formedi BIZ
fifth-rate novels, his hands were white
and soft and we'll keptG his dark, curly
hair was shiny with pomatum his figure
was tall and slender; bis eyes black; with a
certain bead like brightness about them. his
complexion delicate as girls with fresh
bloom in the cheeks. lie looked like wax
figure i'll shop window, or fashion-plate
in the front of a magazine of modes
knew enough of just such country places as
Greendale to imagine that there he was
considered the greatest OF fine gentlemaen,
and carried on matters with a high hand
though there was probably not Manifested
Young farmer in the place who had not five
times much information, good sense, anc
genuine manliness.
L just glanced at the person who stood
behind the other counter-a lumpish, mid
dIe-aged man, who looked as if he was sub
iect to hypochondria and afflicted with jaun
dice. Clearly, it was my red checked,
white-handed hero whom Mrs. Payne want
ed the to notice. | bought of him some
thread, and some cambrick which required
for dress facing received my letters a
his hands, and went my way.
Well Mrs. Payne suggested, as | wen
The young man waited on me, | said
Philip, think, they call him.
yes, Phil. Gleason | supposed HI
wouhG. He generally does attend to the
ladies, unless they're old, Do you think
he is facinating?
[ smiled at the seriousness with which
she asked the question.
q don't think | should hnd him SO, | an
swered but can imagine some peopI
might -
Yes, some people do ! she said, signif
cantly; and then sat there shaking her hea'
waiting for me to ask further questions
:as her manner was when she had a story t
tell.
Not you, trust, Mrs. Payne !? inquiries
prayely, with the malicious intention O
leasing her, which tailed, as it deserved tC
No, not me. Thank heaven, I've gone b.
A. DAYS when white hand and re
ehool, would carry me away, if was eve
49, " fooI;s b; but Phil Gleason has it prett
ob HI, own fashion among the girls here
Hes eugag> I'd, to be sure; but my doubt
,nbether he means to keep bis word 1t
nv belief that promises don't mean niue
With such chaps as he when anything nal
,,ans to make eel u want 10 change the
minds. ..;h L,o
" Yes has or will. Do you remember thu
o;rI YOU noticed in tire singers seat la
7 did remember her we'll, for she had tt
ssSSeetost face had seen in many day
Not a strong face--you could imagine h'
do;ng weak and foolish things-bnt fa'
o ~ ;n1ocent eff evil as child's and exqui
;tsIv lovely with delicate, fower-ike graz
and bloom. ce,L cho,s
nretty little thing-the prettiest girl here
and loving, trusting creature as you ev
saw in YOUR life. She's silly in some thing
- he sIre-if she wasn't she wouldn't
ENGAGED to Phil Gleason, as she has be-
for more than year. Her mother is
widow, and poor, only she's got this CIR
and declare to you, Pve thought many
time that I'd give all the money Deac
PAYNE left me, and work good deal hard
than even Miss Scoheld has had to, II on