Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-02-24
WILL HENDRICKS CORRESPONDENT.


CHAPTER J.
Rose, | am almost disgusted with T. .
huindrum, do-nothing life. | do wish could
60 somewhere, or do something, for a change A"
said laughing Nellie Hendrick. She was.
for once, really in earnest, for there was no
smile upon her face during this speech. "What
do you busy yourself about these long, warm
days2 | declare, ! am quite exhausted after
talking so much p and she threw herself
anguidly upon a sofa near an open window
Well, to tell the truth, Nell, | don't bR-
So myself about anything. | sew little
when compelled by stern necessity prae-
tice an hour or two each day; and, occasion
ally, | do get strength enough to sing-not
often, | assure you Can't we do something
to raise little excitement in this place :
We could keep quiet about it, you know, and
enjoy the joke. Why, the gossps in town
are just on the point Of starvation. Serious
| ly feel 1t our bounGen dooty" to get up
something for their benefit"
Nellie appeared thoughtful for few min
utes, and then broke into one of her own mer-
ry laughs.
80 Rose have coneoeted plan; and
| If you don't think it is just the thing then
I'm mistaken
The entrance Of Mrs. Winters prevented
further conversation on this topic After a
few moments, Rose who was anxious to hear
the plan, put aside the thin fabric upon
which she had been working, and, turning to
her friend, said, Come up to my room, Nell
lie; you haven't seen my birthday presents
yet" and mischeyous smile played about
the little beouty's lips, which was readily un-
derstood by her friend, who Immediately arose
| from the sofa and followed her.
While they are engaged in looking over
the presents aud completing their plans for
mischief, we will describe the two friends.
Rose Winters was a beauty. She was the
daughter Of wealthy hotel-keeper Her
whole life had been spent in this place, where
she had been petted and praised by the COM
ers aud goers but, for wonder, this had
not produced its usual effect on the contra
ry, she was one of the sweetest, most amiable
little bodies in the world
There was nothing beautiful about her
| friend nothing which the world calls beau
tiiul,--but she had a frank, open face, and
was noted for her sunny and fun-loyiug dis.
position.
These two had been friends from childhood,
having been together at school, and siuce then,
never having been separated more than few
weeks at time, 1t was not surprising that
they had become weary Of the sameness of
I their life. This unusual quiet Of the village
was not adapted to their merry natures; and
now they were determined to " raise an ex-
citement"
A few mornings after this, young man
was sitting in his office in the city, reading
the morning news. As his eye ran down the
column, it was arrested about midway by the
following advertisement:
TWO SISTERS-Residingi in quiet cor =
4 try village, having plenty Of time at their dispo D.
Jeet, iun and amusement. Gentlemen who send thor
Ph0'o viii FgSfif SLLfF GNsai MILE lHTSI SqdIS
North Manchester Conn.
By Jove there's an opportunity for
some sport must show this to Hal Burt,
and have him write to the fair damsels He
will give them good spicy letter. But let
me see, I'll write to one, aud Hal may write
to the other :. and then Ill write to that sis
ter of mine and find out who they are" So
saying, VIII Hcndgick laid the paper where
1t would not be molested, and was soon en-
gagged with his law books
Rose and Nell were not seen together again
for nearly week after the day on which
they were first introduced to the reader II
one had been close observer, however, a
new system of telegraphing might have been
detected Nellie went TO the post office
daily I; and Rose was always somewhere in
sight to return her bow. One afternoon she
was little late, and was joined by Rose be-
fore she reached her destination. Ii was
some time after the mail had been distribut-
ed, and every thing was quiet about the of
fee. As they entered, the postmaster, who
was Nelles father, requested her to remain
in the Office awhile, as he was Obliged to 60
out for an hour, TO attend TO little matter of
business. She assented willingly, and Nell
and Rose were soon seated in the office. No
sooner was the father out of sight then Nell
lie rejoiced openly in their good fortune.
" Isn't this just gay, Rose | was afraid
father was never going to ask me to stay for
him again. Now for some fun. You may
watch, that no one may come upon us un-
awares, while get the letters In few mo
ments twenty letters, addressed TO Allie and
Milie Clayton, lay on the table before them.
" Now, Rose, we must contriye to blind faith.
er's eyes in some way ; for would not have
him know about this for anything. We must
get the letters out of the envelopes, and sub
stitute something for them. Then we will
seal them and replace them in the box"
They worked rapidly Rose carefully
opening each envelope, while Nellie was pre-
pairing and folding old circulars to complete
the deception. The work was soon finished
and as Nellie replaced the letters, no one
could detect the fraud. Nellie secreted the
communication which had been abstracted
from the envelopes, and they waited impa-
tiently for a fitting opportunity to read
them.
The curiosity of the village was fully arous
ed. They had seen the advertisement in the
Post, and all wondered who the two sisters
could be. They knew very well that who
ever the parties were, they had signed iicti
tious names. Scarcely had the letters beer
replaced in the box, when one Of the village
' news-peddlers" came for her mail Nelli'
handed her paper, and turned to sit dow
when she was recalled by the woman--
Nellie, do you know if anySody has callec
for them Clayton letters YETI | thought {
: kinder like to know"
"The letters have not been called for" re
piled Nellie.
How many is there of them, now2'
Somewhere about twenty, should tn ),
You see there is quite box-full,' pointioi
to tine box.
'sId Jest like to know who's up to sucl
capers. There won't much good come t
= them, anyhow, round trying to get the youn
I men TO write TO them. know one thing, /