Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-08-10


parison-'' as a peacock" So Patiene
Clark took the place at the table that shoul
have been poor Johns, and mother wa
scarcely able to eat a mouthful after al
The summer fitted by; the golden rods an
chrysanthemums were all in bloom. Their
never Was a castle SO substantial las the one
built about the cabbages. / have alway
thought host af fairies guarded them AM
titled them at night: while all about u
there was rot and mildew, and the cabbage
would neither head nor prosper. our fell
thrOye amazingly and when all was done
and they were gathered and sold, | had I
nice little sum to pay upon the mortgage.
One day in October | went down to i'm
bleton, but Mr.. Williams had been called Il
meet client some distance in the country.
Tell him Miss Ware called, 81 said &c
the boy /; and that night Mr.. Williams rode
up to the farm. Mother had grown weaker
of late, and went to bed early, and Dolpt
and sat croning over our books in the par
lor, when knock at the door startled ne.
L do not know why my heart beat wildly,
nor why called to DOlph to run to the door
Ii was only Mr.. Williams, and we sat down
comfortably to chat together. told him Of
my intention to pay him little on the mort.
gage, and spoke glOwingly of my cabbage
fields he seemed TO waive the matter aside,
and formal manner, the lads permission to
see me alone. Dolph gathered up his books
and went out of the room.
" A fine boy - cried Mr.. Williams "and
not so lame, think, as he gets stronger"
Then | launched into panegyric upon
Dolph that lasted half an hour, and still Mr.
Williams listened gravely; but when paused
little, and felt like apOlogizing for my Sis
terly warmth, he approached the table near
which / was sitting, and laying his hand
upon mine, he said
/ have come here tonight, Miss Ware,
to speak to you upon a subject that has lain
near my heart for long time-since paid
into your hands a certain sum of money, and
became impressed with the rare dignity OF
your character, and your nobleness of heart.
Can | hope you will not meet with disfavor
the affection of one so much older than him
self? VIII you be my wife?
did not speak for time, and when
found my voice | could say nothing but that
| was very, very grateful, but could not leave
the farm
Z" Well, but, Miss Lily, if that is your only
objection, perhaps there might be compro-
misc arranged. You know have already a
hold upon the farm. Can we not fit it up
for country seat? You shall have the plan
ming of the improvements" he added, cheer
fully - and your brother, when he is old
enough, shall study law
"Oh, Mr. w illiams : - cried, in Albright,
a. do not speak loud, l beg of you if my
mother, if Dolph, should hear you. they
would make me consent, and-and-'' here
broke down, and fell into a passion of
weeping.
"What s this, Lily, my child?" he said,
his face lighting up with kindly feeling
that became it well. a. Is there any other
reason for your repugnance? Speak frank
ly, Lily, and let me be your friend, if moth
ing more"
Il shall be so glad to have you for
friend, | said, reaching out my hands TO
him &" but I'm so sorry, for Dolph and
mother, that1 can't be more to you
Well, Dolph shall study law, in any case,
my dear
% And don't tell my mother = | said.
mo, indeed" he replied, smiling and
bidding me a kindly good by, he went away.
upon the table. only wanting to be alone and
think bat suddenly cold hand WIS placed
upon my shoulder, shaking me with spas
mOdic energy. looked up. there stood my
mother, her face pale and wild, her great
hollow eyes seeking and searching my face
81 Tell me-" she gasped " is it all right
are you-to be-his wpe?"
''Oh. mother,
"Speak " she cried; "you have not
dared refuse him?''
l buried my head in my hands upon the
table, and fairly trembled as / murmured
. yes.''
% The richest man in Wimbledon =" cried
my mother, beside herself with rage and dis
appOintment-" gentleman And you,
selfish, ungratelul wretch that you are-you
will see me die in this place when you have
it in your power to give me life and happi-
ness. Listen to me, Lily" she cried, com
ing nearer to me and looking upon me with
savage earnestness 4" will 90 to my bed
and never leave it, / will neither eat nor
drink, if you refuse this man.
'' But | have refused him, mother"
e" Then call him back again, say that you
did not know your mind he will think it
girlish freak, and be all the fonder of you
Oh, Lily, she cried. sinking on her knees
at my feet, "do not throw away your life as
did mine, and regret it ever afterward do
not bury yourself with a clOdhOpper on a
farm, and wear your life out in useless re-
morse, for 1 will die, tell you. Oh. say
that you will marry him, that | shall live
once more in luxury and ease. will never
get up till you grant my prayer
" will, mother, 1 will
God bless you, dear said my poor
and helped her to bed How could
my mother bid God to bless me? / went to
my room, but not to bed. walked to and
fro, thinking, thinking; but think as
might, the clodhOpper and the farm resolved
themselves into the garden oi Eden, a tender
manly Adam. and l. the Eve to my husband
Of all that was desirable in sweetness and
bloom and the days seemed to lengthen
themselves before me into paradise OF hon.
est toll and happy pleasure, while the other
choice of luxury and ease pictured itself
gloomily before me. | remembered well the
great dreary house in Wimbledon, the mould
smelling, chintz-covered furniture, the stone
paved yard; saw myself clothed in purple
and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every
day and yet, and yet-alas, that women
should be 50 different and fate 50 adverse
But there was my mother she had resolved
to die if L refused. and she always would
have her way. In the early dawn l went
down among the sweet-brier that grow about
my fathers grave he was only clodhopper
himself, and could understand my sorrow.
Dolph had grown fond lately of wearing fine
clothes and spending his time in study; then
he was delicate-a little lame. Well, it was
all over. l went down to Wimbledon that
very day and told Mr.. Williams all that had
happened.
- If you'll kindly forget what occurred
last night, will do my best to please you"
said, as if applying for situation.
" My dear Lily" he said, :" although
seem old to you have kept young, warm
heart, and do not know whether to laugh
Or cry about you"
"Oh, do not laugh, SIR l said.
+" And will not cry" he replied. - Well,
it is settled, then; do you go home, my dear,
and will come up and see you in the course
Of week. May God bless you, darling "
He laid his hand caressingly upon my head,
and somehow liked his blessing
AS rode home 4 let the reins fall upon
my pony's neck, and strove to think that, in
making mother and Dolph happy, should
gain contentment for myself; but the day
seemed gray and dead, and it was so strange
when | reached the lane that John Bates
should be waiting there with such bright,
hopeful smile upon his winsome face.
- Come, Lily" he said, '' let the boy take
the pony in, and do you come with me bit