Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-06-09
THE FIRST STEP.

by JULIA NJ. THAYBR.
You'll be sure and come, won't you, Al
len ?" asked Corny Brown, the ringeader of
a troop Of frolicsome boys Nine O'Clock
sharp, remember. Its bright, moonlight
night, and we'll have to creep round under
the hazel bush, on the southside of the old
mill. | know the ins and outs, perfectly"
But" said Allen, rather dryly, 81 never
did steal cider, and"
Steal cider fla ha that's a good
one said Clemmy Jones as if anybody
called it stealin, to suck cider through a rye
straw Why, you don't carry away any to
hurt, and the deacon's got lots of it,
Besides, continued Allen, " promised
my mother | wouldn't be out late nights, and
| always keep my promises
Pshaw ~ said Corny, impatiently don't
be a spooney, Al. Can't you make believe a
litte2 Say you 90 to bed. If you choose
to get up afterwards for a pretty early walk,
whose business is it2 We'll call it ten"
"rm goin' to meetin," drawled Joe Dill
lon the wag Of the company, " down to the
Hall--powerful speaker, interestin subjec',
seats free-catch me at a cider bust :"
Even Allen couldn't forbear smiling at the
ludicrous seriousness of this speech; and the
boys, following up their advantage, pressed
the siege 50 heavily that he appeared, at least
to yield, and thus escaped further importuni-
tics.
If there was ever a boy who keenly enjoy.
ed frolic, that boy was Allen Morrow Ma.
ture did not give him his bounding pulse
mirthful spirit, aud supple limbs, to 60 mop.
ing through the world, sullen aud sour. Gay
generous and social, that is just where ALIENS
danger lay. A fatherless boy left much tc
his own will, and fond of pleasure, he was al
SO great fayoritc with his companions. II
pleasure lured into forbidden paths, or com
rades beckoned him to evil, what but cleai
sense of duty and fixed principle of recti
tude could keep him from drifting down tht
current of temptation into the yawning abys
of ruin ? And, alas Aliens principles wer
not fixed. Nothing was fixed with him bu
his love for his good mother.
Even now, as he went whistling along home
he was inwardly debating whether he nigh
not, this once, be his own master Visions o
enchanting moonlight, rollicking fun, luscious
cider, and the very mischief and secrecy of
night raid upon the deacons barrels, entice'
him.
1t would be SO jolly" sighed he, th.owinl
himself down beside the little, halfway spring
his usual resting-place ." it would be so iol
ly but it won't do; | cant deceive my moth
er; | could never look her in the face again
and she thinking me true and honorable al
, the time. And, what's more, had forgotten
entirely the other promise | made her on IN.
r birthday, cider included. wonder wha
, Corny would say to that Yes | recolcc
now she said, Cider is generally considere
an innocent beverage, suppose, Allen; bu
/ wish my son to be teetotaler, and then h
f can sing
My hand Is steady my eye is true,
For !, like the flowers, drink nonEiit but dew
| wonder what made her 80 parteuar2" con
tinued he, drowsily, and settling himself NOR
comfortably on his rural couch. Z" wonde
-pshaw | don't see what harm-l don
sec"
p. "What2 where? who spoke2" cried Al
Q len, giving his eyclds tremendous jerk, am
u looking round in a perfect maze.
= No wonder was he dreamingl or had h
4 never before noticed the beauty Of this quc
a nook The tall larches, INTERVIEWING thei
!, boughs overhead rooted in the silence Lik
the silver mirror of some goddess, lay tn
y shining fountain, set in the emerald green q
:, the mosses How cool and Fragrant was tn
y air.
Allen lstened--no sound disturbed tn
is sweet solitude save the drip, drip Of the cry'
s tai ril that fed the messy basin.
,. How lovely - cried Allen, with delight
It +" this must be the home of some water nymp
If or fairy
e Well spoken for at this moment from I'll
:, centre of the fountain rose Il lovely ltt
d maiden, with eyes of liquid blue and shining
II golden hair. She was wrapped in mant
y Of starry sproy that glittcrcd in the light {
IT a stray sunbeam.
Al Fair as a water lilly, there she sat, noddl
Glmiiarly at Allen, who, for his part, droppt
e his cap aud made a handsome bow.
a, "Guess my name, il you can, young gel
= teman," said she, laughing
IS " Undiue," instantly replied Allen, remen
% bcling the story of that fantastic nymph,
Sc She shook her head, gleefully, scattering
$. shower Of diamonds from her locks
If "Then you are Helen, or Ariadne, or NJ
$, nerya or Cleopatra" said he, bringing out q
his lore. He thought Of Queen Elizabet
n but the Unknown was minus the stiff ruff
Is which that princess always appears.
ID You'll never guess, said she, merrily.
1t Allen threw himself despondently on Il
IT ground, held his head in both hands, al
j. thought.
70 81 have ii" he cried at last, springing ul
7, /" they say Truth lies in well-but l thin
'e she prefers this iountain---and she must
le very beautiful---is that il ?"
"No indeed % said the little one, dashin
10 a handful oi'spray directly in his face "n
10 Truth, indeed she is far too grave and di
IS nifed for me; but | confess to some relation
is ship--and, do you know, she sometimes lem
Is me her mirror? Would you like to see you
II self" with misohievous smile.
y {" See myself--in the mirror of Truth 7
10 no. no, thank you y replied Allen, suddel
,h y conscious of so many petty faults, SUE
grieyous shortcomings, indeed, that he w
rs iain to hide his face very low among the Wi
ps flowers that fringcd the fountain.
to Come come" !" continued the spright
90 little lady; "never mind, I'll show you u
A one you love best; and before Allen cou
ly wink he was face to face with darling lit
to Minnie Grow. There she was, done in wat
4 colors, laughing eyes, faxen curls, rosy mout
W dimples and all and, what was charmin
she returned Aliens glance OF admiration