Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-12-27
Uncle Georges Christmas Story.
ny CHARLES DICKENS.

BY CHARLES DICKENS.
We had devoted the morning before ms
weddng-day to the arrangement Of those |
delightful, endless little affairs, |
which the world says must be set in order on
such occasions; aud late in the afternoon, we
walked down, Charlotte and myself, to take
last bachelor aud maiden peep at the home
which, next day, was to be ours in partner
ship. Goody Barnes, already installed as
our cook and housekccper, stood at the door,
ready TO receive US as we crossed the market
place to inspect our cottage for the twentieth
time, cottage by courtesy next door TO my
fathers mansion, by far the best and hand
soonest in the place. Il was some distance
from Charotte's house, where she and her
mother lived all the way down
the lime-tree avenue, then over the breezy
common, besides trayersing the principal aud
ouly street. which terminated in the village
narket.place
The front Of our house was quakerlike, in
point Of neatness aud humility. But enter
It is not hard to display good taste when the
bankers book puts no veto on the choice gems
Of furniture, which give the finishing touch to
the whole. Then pass through, and bestow a
glance upon our living rooms, looking down
upon that greatest Of luxuries, Il terraced gar
den, commanding the country-and not lit
tie of that country mine already,-the farm
which my father had given me, to keep me
quiet aud conteutcd at home. For the clos.
ing perspective Of our view, there was the
sea, like a blight blue rampant rising before
US. White sailed vessels, or seli-wiled steam
crs, fitted to and fro for our amusement.
We tripped down the terrace-steps, and Of
course looked in upon the little artificial
grotto to the right, which had caused to be
liued throughout with foreign shells and gilt
tering spars. gift from my ever-Soun.
tiful father. Charlotte and | went laughingly
along the straight gravel walk, fanked on
each side with a regiment OF dahIias, that
led US to the little gate. opening to give Us
admission to my fathers own pleasure-ground
aud orchard.
The dear old man was reioiced to see US.
daughter was what he so long had wished
for. We hardly knew whether to smile, or
weep for JOY, as we all sat together on the
same rustic bench, overshadowed by the tulip
tree, which some one said my father had him
self brought from North America. But o
the means by which he became possessed OF
many Of his choicest treasures, he never
breathed syllable to me. His father, very
well knew, was nothing more than homey
farmer, cultivating no great extent of not too
productive seaside uud but Charlotte's lac,
dress, which she was to wear tomorrow
again another present from him-was, he
mother proudly pronounced, valuable an
handsome enough for princess.
Charlotte half whispered, half said aloud
that she had no fear now that Richard Leroy
her boisterous admrer, would dare to attemp
his reported threat to carry her of to the con
my father irown, so we said no more ; W
iapsed again into that dreamy state Of sileu
enjoyment which was the best expression @
our happiness
Leroy's father was called a farmer but o
our portion Of the English coast there ar
many things that are well understood rathC
than clearly aud distinctly expressed and n
me had ever enlightened my ignorance. NJ
ather was on speaking terms with him, tha
vas all ; courteous, but distant half timic
1alf mysterious lie discouraged my childis
intimacy with Richard; yet he did not go !
ar as to forbid il. 0ucc, when | urged hil
In allow me 10 accompany young Leroy in hi
boat, to fish in the Channel one calm an
bright summer morning, he peremptorlly al
,werrd, " No do not wish yoU to learn /
nc smugger.' But then, he Instant
checked himself, aud afterwards was moi
anxious and kind to me than ever. Sti
Richard aud | continued puyleIlows until v
grew up, aud both admired Charlotte.
would have made formal proposal for h,
1and, if the marked encouragement Of h,
family had not shut out every opportunii
This touched his pride, and once made hi
leclare, in an of.hand way, th-t it wou
,ost him but very little trouble TO land SUI
= light cargo as that, some pleasant evenin
IA France, or even on one Of the AzOre L.
y inds, it orange groves and orange blossor
we're what my lady cared about. 1t is wo
I lerlu how far, aud how swiftly, needless wor
J. 10 fly when once they are uttered. Su
! speeches did not close the breach but instea
Z aid the FIRST foundation for one Of those co
. irmed arrangements which village neighbc
moods only know. The repugndnce manifest
j by Charlotte's friends was partly caused
e he mystery which hung to Richards amT
u means. The choice was unhesltatingly ma
l. in my favor. In consequence as sort
i rejected candidate, Richard Leroy really d
J. lie, amongst us, under an unexpressed aud
definite ban. which was by no means likely
i ne removed by the registering scorniul air
Il superiority with which he mostly spoke
looked AT, and treated us.
Charlotte aud took leave Of my father
that gray September evening with the Fl
conviction that every blessing was in store
US which affection aud wealth had the pow
10 procure. Over the green, and up the lin
tree avenue, and then, goodnight, my lad
. love Goodnight, thus parting, for the vei
last time. To.morrow-ah think of I
+ morrow. The quarters Of the chur,h clio
strike hafpast nine. Goodnight, dear mot
er-in-law. And, once more, goodnight Cha
lotte
1t was somewhat early to leave; but n
fathers plans required H. Ile desired III
we should be married, not at the church
The village where we all resided, but at o
distant short walk in which he took pee
liar iuierest-whcre he had selected the sp
for u family burial.p place, aud where he wish,
the family registers to be kept. 1t was
secluded hamlet and my father had simp
made the request that would lodge for
while at a farmhouse there, ia order that II
wedding might be performed at the place !
fixed his heart upon. My duty and my il
terest were TO obey.
GOOD night, Charlotte, had not long bee
uttered, before | was fairly on the way 10 M
temporary home. Our village aud its ie
scattered ightsr were sooa left behind, and
then was upon the open down, walking Q
with sprioging step. On one side 90
spread the Euglish Channel ."a fro" INN
TO time | could mara the appearance OF IN
light Mt Cape Grinez, on the French coas