Middletown transcript., 1870-12-24

an frea2puslOie monster, Just Craze Tue
edge of their circle and are borne away
again. And then the monster gives q
shrek which the night re e.echoes; and il
there is burden on your heart it grows
heavier, and the little troubles of every
day which it is so easy to ight by sunlight
crowd in upon you, and every thing seems
gloomy and overwhelming.
| It was in something Of this eeris mood
thut George Ware, lying back in her seat, i,
with one soft cheek pillowed on her muff,
watched the outer darkness glide by as
the express train bore her northward one
cold December night. TIcr cousin beside
her was fast asleep, the fresh country
roses of her face undimmed by even the
long days travel But George was not
Of the sleepy kind, and, forced viyacity
being no longer called for, her face, had
fallen into many listless lines cad to sec in
one so young. For she was only nine
teen--this girl who was counting herself
so unhappy-and, strange to say, it is
often in very early youth that life's bur-
dens seem heaviest and most inevitable,
aud youths bright possibilities are least
realized
Lam afraid we older people would hard
ly reckon Georgie's case so piiiable She
had health, beauty, an abundant home,
kind parents, all sorts of tastes, faculties,
half developed capacities---a life in its
bud. To be sure, she and Allan Beck
with had quarreled and broken off their
engagement; but that was no uncommon
sorrow Temper on one side,i pride on
the other, the well-meant Interference of
mutual friends--nothing could be more
horribly easy than the way the thing had
come about. " She was bored,' she said.
Life seemed heavy and distasteful, and she
needed change, and was glad to get a.
way while for this Christmas visit to
New England--that was all. in the day
time she could cheat herself and the rest
Of the world but now, in solitude and
darkness. her. trouble took possession of
her, and a great tear-stain dimmed the
glossy fur which pillowed her cheek. 1t
annoyed her. She pulled down her veil,
and hoped Hatty wouldn't wake up for a
long time yet. ssS
Hatty was obliging. 1t was net until
the lamps of the Kinnicutt Station fared
in her face that she reused herself; and
by that time g Cousin Georgie' was o.
gain the wonder Of style and composure
who had SO impressed her youthful fancy
Papa was ou the platform. Further on
stood the swift Vermont trotters, and the
sleigh with its hot bricks and buffalo robes;
and as the belle jingled and the powdery
snow few along their rapid course Geor-
gie's spirits rose. She half believed her
recent discomposure dream born of cold
and fatigue. ''I shall be all right again
now" she said to herself as they drove
up to the door.
A warm welcome awaited them in the
ample old homestead. The hall stove
flashed its big eye of insinglass upon
them as they entered, and noble hick ry
fires blazed aud cracked In each chimney.
CHEEKY red reflections danced on the snowy
table-cloth, and glinted from the bright
silver teapot got out to do them honor
And how delicious was the anomalous
meal to taste and smell-sayory chicken,
potatoes bursting their brown jackets.
tea, smoking omelet. fresh squash-pies
Nothing was ever better; and George
surprised herself by clearing her plate
with what her uncle called . real Green
Mountain appetite.
The girls are so glad to have you
back in time for the church dressing
said aunty to her daughter, :. Alice
James was here to-day to see about it.
and when told her that George was
coming with you she hoped for help from
her too. l told her very likely she could
give them some new ideas. I suppose
the city churches are splended, Georgie
Did you ever assist in dressing one n
No, George never had. There were
men" that did them, she stated, vague
ly; but she reused horself to take an
interest, as it seemed expected of her,
and the conversation flowed easily along
with little local gossipings for Hatty's
benefit and occasional explanations for
her own, After while she began to get
glimpse of tho state of things. The
parish boasted new clergyman, it SEEM
ed. "a most lovely young man. aunty
said; and g Unmarried of course" Geor-9
gle added to herself, = else there Wouldn't
be all this fuss about him." This, his
first Christmas in kinnicutt. was to be
celebrated with all pomp and circumstance,
it seemed Aud questions and answers a.
bout ground piue, and laurel. and hem
lock, and ivy, and who was to get the holly
berries for the font, aud who the bitter
sweet for the arches, and Alice this, and
Garry that. and Jack Somebody. who
seemed quite an important person, flew to
and fro till she grew quite confused.
Aunty pronounced her sleepy. and sug-
gcsted bed, which proposal she gladly ac-
cepted, and soon, tucked under down
quilt with the pleasant glow of the EN-
bers Pickering upon her pillows, she was
sleeping long dreamlsss sleep, refresh
ing alike to mind and body.
The sun was pouring in yellow bars
through the blinds, when she awoke:
Out doors all was crisp and sparkling.
| will make new start to-day she
said 10 hereelf Hera whara II ;s eo