Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-03

They suited each other well, these trav-
cling companions; Jem so fond of his little
friend, so kindly, and so talkative, with a
kind of chi'dlike cimplicity about him that
made him understand and enter into her
enjoyment; and the little girl, so full of
dreams, fancies and questions-so ready to
listen to his longest tale, gleofully or sym
pathizingly as the case might be. On they
passed along the country road, through tho
little cluster of houses around the mill
dgnified by the name o, "village'-and
go to the mill beyond.
Johns errand accomplished, the horso's
head was turned homeward.
at isn't such nice day now the sun
has stopped shining" said Oak.
"Thats thrue for ye. It's cloudin' up
for rain, I'm thinkin," answered her
companion, scanning the sky, and touch
ing his horse with his whip as low peal
of thunder fell upon his ear. The horse
started forward to quick pace. and slfe
them swiftly away from the mill to the VIII
lage station, and on through it. But the
summer shower came up rapidly, and they
had left the village n short distance behind
them when the drops began to fall.
"Oh dear! what will we do now2 ex-
claimed Oak in dismay.
1--WE mu st turn back" answered Jem ;
"and it's a soakin' well be, thin, before we
reaches house, Then as turn in the
road brought them near the railroad, he
suddenly changed his plan.
"Ah see there Miss Oak dear-an emp
ty freight car switched off till that side the
track Well just climb in till the storm is
over;' and springing out he lifted the
child from the wagon into the car. Then
leading his horse a little way down the
road, that it might not be frightened by
passing trains, he fastened it, and hastened
back to the car none too soon for the rain
was falling heavily.
"Oh, this is fun ~ said Oak, quite salts
fed as long as there was no danger of get
ting wet. "Hear how it rattles on the roof
Jem?"
ut sounds finer to be rattin on the car
than rattlin' on us, thin," answered Jem,
shaking the drops from his hat. "It's good
we're under cover"
"A covert from the tempest" The words
came back to Oaks mind with quick re-
mem brance of the picture at home; and
began to ponder them over in her dreamy
childish way, and fancy herself away on,
that desert plain, until at last the vision
grew dim and confused, the long lashes
dropped lower and lower, and she had
passed from waking to sleeping dreams.
Jem smiled as he saw it.
"Poor little chicky it's tired she is" he
said; and rolling his coat into pillow, he
laid the bright head gently down upon it.
The shower proved not very short one,
and despite Jem's anxiety to be on his
homeward way, there was nothing to do
but wait. He missed the prattling of his
companion, and the sound of the steadily
falling rain grew monotonous. He began
to realize, too, that he was tired after his
forenoon work and afternoon drive, and
finally concluding to try and rest as he
could do nothing else, he stretched him
self upon the floor, drew his hat over his
eyes, and in less than five minutes he had
followed the child's example.
How long he had been lying there Jem
never knew. His sleep must have been
profound; and he was aroused at last by
his head receiving violent bump. Start
led and half awake he sat up, and, rub
bing the bruised member, tried to recall
his scattered senses, and discover where he
was. Certainly that long, low, rough room
was not familiar, and it was jumping and
dancing about in curious style, too. He
got upon his feet with much pitching and
staggering, and looked about him. 1t was
early dark, and by the dim light he dis
cerned little Oak, still sleeping peacefully.
The sight of her quickened the treacherous
memory, and brought back the events Of
the aiternoon-the drive, the storm, and
the place in which they had sought shelter
The car was going-carrying them away
he knew not where.
As that truth forced itself upon him he
hurried to the door, and found it closed
and locked. That accounted in a measure
for the darkness of the place, though he
fancied ii must be growing dark without
Pulling and shaking were in vain, and he
raised his voice in long, loud shout, that
was nevertheless, lost in the noise and jar
OF the gathering train' only OAK heard 1t,
ana starting up irightehed' as he made his
way back to her side.
1eih on Je"' where are weY
"lts mesili can DC teilln' ye that, dear
were OH on thrlp all unoeknownst to
Observation-Disclosures wheriVer the stame
taxes us, ne answered. ruelully'
nat Is t' Where are we golngY and
wha' makes IL darR she asked, bewil-
ueteu' lheh' suuuehiy recoliectlng ex-
claimed; ION, Jem, did the car start9'
sure II uiu' wldout iVer sayin' by yer
iaVe' the ohciVli crathur' replied Jem
WIN desperate eliort at cheerfuiness for
the sake OF the ehild'
III ruin, however tue more ne reviewed
an' s''u"''oi 'ne more troubled he grew
10 'ne uncertainty oi 'hoir own where
aoou's "hei he'raih "oulu stop ana when
'ney wouiu DC released, were added