Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-07-31
SELECT CaIr.
"a LII IN THE FAMILY"
BY j. y. THOMAS.
From the Philadelphia Home Weekly


OUR ADVANCE.
Howell Braman and had been classmates
in the village school aud afterwards in the semi
nary at Rockville. We had nearly completed our
studies at the latter institution when like wild-fre
the startling intelligence spread over the entire
North, that the rebels had fred on Fort Sumter.
Then came the call for three months men, soon fol-
lowed by the second call for three years men.
/ Our iellow-stI1ents were leaving daily. Braman
and were not slow 20 catch the fever French
and Latin soon lost their charms in the gathering
excitement. One night, after a brief discussion
Of the Presidents second proclamation, we decided
that the little might lose in yielding up the
naming month Of our academic course was moth
ing ia comparison with the great need our country
had Of our services, and we resolved to enlist
So The next morning found rs at the recruiting
office, where we were accepted and sent 90 camp
at the neighboring village Of Hopedale, to await
the filling up of the regiment
Our brief stay in the home camp pleasant
one In few DAYS were allowed a iuriough
in which to visit our parents On our return, we
were daily put through the usual drill bnt this
before the adoption OF that thorough discipline
which was afterwards found necessary, our camp
was often the scene of the largest liberty and the
most hilarious mirth. Coming from district
which largely rural, and where little heed had
ever been given TO the usual social distinctions,
officers and privates as matter OF course, carried
their notions Of equality with them; and it would
seem that we went through with the routine Of the
daily drill more for necessary physical exercise
amusement than to fulfill the requirements OF the
army regulations.
Through some Of our fellow volunteers Howell
and | soon made the acquaintance Of Cora and
Kate Munroe, the step-diughters Of a farmer liv-
ing near our camp; and whenever we could OBJ
tain brief leave Of absence, we repaired at once
to the Valley Farm" where were always
welcomed by the old folks as well as the girls. 1t
wa M bpfo mv en- de an n
fection for the bue-eyed Kate while was equal
ly enamored OF the hazel-eyed Cora.
The home OF these girls an interesting house
hold, and ! gradually learned the family history
from Cora About two years previous. the widow
Munroe, who was n native of Hopedale, but who.
after her marriage, had removed to a distant part
Of the State, had eturned With her two daughters
10 the scenes Of her youth after absence Of some
fifteen years. Farmer Dix had been a wdower
for a long period--ever-suce his two grown-up
sons were mere iniants-and had manifested no
disposition TO seek a second wife: but when his
former clissmate in the district school Mrs Mon
roe returned still fair and possessing much Of her
grlish viyacity and attractlyeness, he began to
think that his domestic affairs required a more at
teuiiye housekeeper than old Mrs Quihbles, who
had become exceedingly careless. Besides, Jo-
seph and Frederick spent their evenings and rainy
day, in the village. which added not a little to
their fathers loneliness. So after a few neigh
borly visits to the widow, (who had taken cot
tage close by his iarm), during which the friends
enjoyed free interchange Of sentiments. they de
cided TO unite their households and fortunes, and
spend the remainder Of their days under the same
roof.
Kate laughing. vivacious creature, full life
and fun, was about nineteen She made sport Of
beaus and bellies spoke of marriage 10 a decided
" cynical tone, and declared that she Intended to
live a quiet old maids life, when her sisters and
brothers forsook her for other companions.
two he
antipode in tastes and disposition. However, she
was remarkably quiet on the sub ect of matrimony.
She often chided Kate for her thoughtlessness and
thereby won from her the playful soubrquet of
d" little preacher" But the two were knit togeth-
er in the closest bonds of fraterna love- and either
would 90 through fire or water to serve the other.
Joe and Fred DIX were respectively twenty-two
and twenty; and singular iayoritlsm had sprung
up between these young people soon alter the
marriage of their parents. Joe had taken strong
liking to the girsh Cora, while Fred was equally
partial to Kate This uncons cious singing out OF
favorites, however, was no more marked than Is
often observed among brothers and sisters it WAS
only remarkable for the diversity between the
ages Of Joe and Cora.
One morning. my comrade and | having OBJ
tanned leave of absence, We very naturally bent
our steps towards the Valley Farm, with our
minds made up for good time Oar path led us
across the field where the farmer aud his sons were
at work Joe and Fred at dropped their
hoes and planned a ramble and picnic.
boy. | hope you wont go off to-day; the sea
son is forard and the weeds grow amazingly,
exclaimed Mr.. Dix, looking first az his sons and
then up and dcwn the long rows of springng corn.
cant help it father replied Joe. proceeding
to hang his hoe on an apple tree; Howard Bra
man and Darius Parton have to spend the
day with us Perhaps it is the last furlough they'll
have, and we want to make the most of it.N
Farmer Dix knew there was no appeal from
Joes decisioni 50 he bent to his task alone.
Joe and Fred invited the Mayberry girls-from
an adjoining firm--t6 accompany them, and our
party of eight at once set out for 1.-THE Pines a
grove on the farther boundary of the farm,
will not go into particulars. Suffice it to say,
we had delightful time, and did not reach the
farm house until sunset. But could tarry no
longer, for we were obliged to be at camp before
o'clock The girls planned trip to the Noun
tain a name gwen TO a very romantic hill in the
neighborhood for the following week, provided
Howell and | could obtain furlough, and We
ba1e the party hurried good bye
From the few sentences dropped by my comrade,
it was evident that Kate's charms had left deep
impression upon his heart while | could think OF
nothing nut Cora's gentle tones and winning
smiles Indeed, on my way back to camp that
night L resolved over and over again to confess
my love the very next time met.
But, alas, before the week come round, Howell
and were "off 70 Richmond"
In the course Of few weeks, we were each IA
yored with a little scented note from "the girls we
left behind US" in answer TO our cumsly written
camp letters but although wrote several tunes
afterwards, nothing farther came to our ad
dress from Hopedale
OUR RETREAT.
I'm L 4 D,,- ,tt,a,