Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-02-26

She was splendid looking old lady,
and must have been very handsome when
young
She sat looking into the fire for mo-
ment with her spectacled eyes, but she
was really looking into the past
Things were somewhat different when I
was young, said she, but we loved
~leighinc as we'll as you do, and | will tell
YOU the story of u ride we had, ever so
many years ago:
1 was independent enough to take care
Of myself, and was teaching school in
s. that winter. It's city now. but
It was only a large village then.
| boarded with the divers. and Hattie
Oliver and were great friends, and Of
all the born coquettes | ever saw, she
was one OF the prettiest and most inveter-
ate
She had plenty Of admirers, of course.
and seemed fairiy to delight in teasing
them. There were two in particular and
always wondered how John Forbes and
Charlie Simmons could be such confidential
ntimates under the circumstances
John was the richest, and he was tan
black-haired, handsome fellow. but not
very popular. He was kind enough. and
full Of lie and spirits; but Hattie used TO
sav that he seemed all the while to be
standing up behind himself and studying
YOU and she hated that" For nv own
part liked John Forbes amazingly, tho
he was always shy and quiet in my compa-
ny. Perhaps because | teased him 50 I'M
mercifuIly about Hattie.
Charlie Simmons was also an excellent
fellow. but he hadn't very glib tongue,
and Hattie led him a most uncomfortable
sort Of dance.
Beaux OF my own, did you say? Of
course | had. Don't interrupt me
Now, the JOY and pride of John Forbes
heart was black team and red sleigh aud
they were really the best turn out III the
village in those days Every day or 50 that
sleigh would pull up in front of our house ::
but [ was too closely confined at the
school to be in Hatties way much
John and Charlie made an appointment
for one Saturday, however, when we were
both at liberty, for grand trip out on the
old south road. The sleighing was splendid
only, il anything, there was too much
snow.
When they came for us John had his
own team, and Charlie had procured
very good one somehow Hattie as I;
matter OF course, took her seat in the red
sleigh, and | told Charlie how much | pit
iej him for having to be contented with
""'v me but he laughed merrily and
led so cheerful about it that | didn't
fer. at all awkward
t}i We started all smothered up in flIrz
aud curled down in the deep, comfortable
cutters as warm as toast The horses
were a perfect jingle of bells and so full Of
life that | almost felt worried about them
Hattie was IN gale Of spirits that
morning, aud her merry peals Of ia"--,er
came back 10 Us with tho anuslc OF the
bells while from something iii Johns man
ner had a sort Of instinct that he had
not invited her on that sleigh ride for
nothing and was right about it, a. !
will tell You.
They had driven three or four miles,
ana were good distance ahead Of our
slower team, but J ohm seemed to be getting
more and more silent all the while, and
Hattie rallied him about it,
may well be a little sober, Hattie, -
said he, .- for l think to-day may have an
influence for good or evil on my whole
life"
Why. Mr. Forbes" said Hattie, are
you afraid that your horses will run away
and smash up your wonderful red sleigh 80
% No. they know too much for that
but ] am going to ask question OF great
Importance, said he.
Why don't you ask it of Sallie, then
She Is the schoolmistre>s, and knows every
thing said Hattie
+ Oh, [ guess you know quite enough
TO tell me what | want to learn; and you
must answer me truly and frankly, for
my happiness for life depends Oh the r.
suit
Ii must be wonderful question.
said Hattie. What can it be ,"
Will you tel me IL ask you? =
Hattie was beginning to feel a little
frustrated. as she told nae afterward but
her inborn love Of mischief and coquetry
came upon her too strongly to be resisted
They were just then passing small
house by the side Of the road that had
once been kind of tavern. The family
had moved out Of it few days before
and Hattie knew it, though John did not.
Mr.. Forbes" said Hattie, won't YOU
be kind enough to stop and get me gas,
of water | can hold the horses
John looked more than little vexed
hut he handed her the reins and Jumped
out. She gathered them firmly in hen
plump little hands and, just az he wa.
about to knock at the dool of the empt,
house. she called sut to MIN:
Mr.. Forbes, [ mast take little tim,
10 consider your question before | answer
it. | will drive on mile or so. When
come back, perhaps [ will tell you"
And, with a gay little laugh, Hattie
drove recklessly away, leaving John look
ing very much like fool as he leane,
against the door post.
The saucy MINK, :" said he It's to-
bad | wonder if she can manage thos
horseS-they may break her neck befor
she gets back. Then the others will b
here in a minute, and won't they laugh 9
A new idea got into his head just ther
for he was a hard man to catch, and whe
we came up he was quite ready for US.
" Hullo, john" exclaimed Charlie
Where's your team? Haven't had
quarrel, have you?"
"Oh no, not exactly; only Haiti
wants change of drivers. She will b
back after YOU in a minute, and [ am t
C-i.e Miss Morris Hattie has got some
thing of great Importance to say to you,
said John.
oh, | See" said Charlie "Yo
asked"
But John put his finger on his lip, an
Charlie stopped short. 1t was all mys
terry to me; but Charlie got out and Joh