St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-06-16
JeRHie'S Brooch.

10 Amongst them. towering by hea,
above most of lis fellows, is Will Stent
d his grave, rcsolutc mouth softening int,
smiles rs he listens to the shrewd re
marks of the trim little old woman-hi
- mothCr-who. in her cloth cloak an,
black bonnet, trots nimbly beside him
the money he has given to her to lay ou
}, clcnchcd tightly in her palm.
Il "Ay, let 'em call again." she com
mcnts, AS her son turns Il deaf ear to III
t invitation from Il group Of young fellow.
lettering at the door of an ale-huusc
d LET 'em call till they deafcns themselves
they'll not get you amongst EN-"
With little self-araluation at hcl
/ sons soberncSs, Mrs. Stcnt turned int,
the grOcer's shop TO MAKE Lcr purchases
and Will, Il tinge Of color rising in hi,
checks, stepped quietly back TO the win
dow of the jewellcr, where all sorts OF
trinkets were displayed.
Down in one corner there WAS little
ivory brooch, dclicately carved into a
wreath Of flowers, which, rs the only
simple ornament amongst Il profusion of
, bright stones in golden settings, had at
tractcd him. lie thought Jennie, the
maid of the Hall, never looked SO well
is in the print dress she wore at her
work but he knew that the old fashion
ed brooch in which she treasured little
bit OF her parents hair, was broken, and
he had fancy TO replace it.
Before his mother had finished max
ing her purchases, the ivory brooch was
in Wills vest, and IA pleasant vision
dancing before his honest brown eyes of
the glow of delight with which Jennie
would open the little box that contained
his first love gift.
Mrs. Stcnt talked on about the price
of bacon and the fall in the soap, quite
content with the occasional yes or
''no' Ter dreamy son uttered as they toll
ed up TIE hills, beyond which lay the
broad common, on whose verge stood
their dwelling
y merry voice trolIin. popular song
was heard behind them, and they were
soon ovcrtakem by young man in the
livery OF the squire. With nod to
Mrs. Stcnt, who mentally mathematics
him ~ Il conccitcd, chattcring goose, he
swings along by the side of VIII, who
more socially shortens his stride TO keep
step with him.
Third time Eve been into the town
to-day; once for a ton2uc the butcher
had forgotten, once with the carriage,
and now for some books for Miss Marga-
ret. Enough TO run Il fellow OFT his legs,
isn't it But never mind did Il bit OF
business for myself 1T Tie same time
Didn't | see you outside Campton's!
I I-yVhi''s, at the ">,iL;r5 ling, ,'pUa,.
I've been there myself to buy something
for my sweetheart. Look ye here pref
ty, isn't it ?"
VIII cast "a glance at the silver brooch
"a snake, with cleaning eyes of garnet
and though inclined 10 compare it un-
favorably with his own purchase, civily
assented but Mrs. Stcnt shortly said
she didn't see what gals wanted with
them things, when 4 pin or hook and
eye did just as we'll
''Don't you tell my sweetheart that"
cried Tom, not a whit discomposed, "or
may be She won't wear it; and I've set
my heart on her looking smart in it on
Sunday.
".NNho does he call his sweetheart p
asked Mrs. Stcnt, when the young fellow
had parted from them to take Il short
cut across some fields. SIS it Jennie
Gals have such flirting ways there's no
trusting none Of 'cm. | wouldn't be too
sure OF her if was you"
VIII made no answer. The maternal
jealousy that looked askancc at the young
creature who had stolen into her boys
heart, had often ouzed out in such
speeches us these: hut he had the gift of
silence, and only betrayed by increased
gravity the disrleasure they gave him.
Nor was this often lasting for he
Lowell his mother dearly, and the kiss he
gave Lcr as he came into the cottage
kitchen on the following morning, ready
for church, was as hearty us usual.
"Now, dont'ec bc late back rs you
was last time" she said, following him
to the door ''the pudden was most cold,
and the garden stuff was done to death"
Will rcddcned little as he gave the
required promise. Those walks home
from church along the lanes, under the
park fence, with Jennie sauntering be-
side him, were looked forward to and
dwelt upon all the week through; and
the pause at the stile, when the other
servants at the Hall went on, leaving the
young couple to say their parting words
alone-had Mrs. Stent forgotten her own
youth, that she murmured vixen those
happy moments were prolonged? pro-
longed till Jennie futtered off, afraid of
a scolding from the houSekeeper, and
Wills dinner was spoiled.
, 1t was a sunny Sabbath morning, and
the breeze that danced amongst the dry
leaves renewed life and gladncSs into the
hearts of those who trod the homcward
path after the morning service.
The squire's servants chattcd cheerful
ly, and Jennic's checks were rosy with
health and happiness; but what allied
Will Although in recognition OF their
known attachment, room had been made
for him to walk beside his bctrothed, he
had scarcely spoken, and there was a
stern look i'll his eyes before which her
high spirits vanished. Had any thing
happened Had he lost his work No :;
Farmer Iiyles often said viii was the
| best hand he had in his employ. May
be lie would tell her at the stilc; and as
, soon as they were alone she raised her
questioning glance to his grave face
lie pointed to the silver brooch that
, fastened her shawl 81 have seen that
.. thing before, Jennie, and l know how
, you came by it,