Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1871-02-08


and deposited my answer, TO be conveyed
by the same process into my dearest Cla-
ra's hauds. f-..l
Peter was a lank old man. and very
wiry he could climb tree like a squir.
rel, aud | was agile myself. The whole
conception was romantic, if you will, but
grand! l thought so--CIara thought so
Peter thought 50. .r.
The idea was from Millais' picture,
which We had beth carefully studied and
if Peter had not generally deposited his
small notes to myself at the same time,
asking my +" kind considerashun as n gen
tleman born with warm hart, to an az
fieting kase in the PARISH" the romance
would have been pure and unaIloyed.
Clara defed the obdurats guardian for
two months it was a February when Se-
lima Muggins betrayedus. Twas advanc-
ing in an innocent aud unsuspectirg man
ner to the secret post office in the wood
half mile from Mr.. Rowley's house,
when [ became conscious Of the who.e
per6dy. ,.- .....5 t.-
was close upon the tree---that brave
old oak which had held so many secrets
when voices in another direction filed
my soul with horror, They were the vol
ces Of Samuel Rowley, Esq, J. p, and
Peter Stokes, my Mercury. | sank down
in the long grass-there was a rapid thaw
that morning, and the damp struck to me
at once--and trembed for my love.
was not an instant too soon; their foot
steps were upon me. Mr.. Rowley's right
foot was nearly upon me also; he shaved
my features by hairs breadth, and then
passed on. The harsh tones of his voice
rang in my ears an instant afterward.
you don't consider yourself an abom-
l.
Unable scamp, | suppose" Mr.. Rowley
said, "an unpripcipled old vagabond, to
act as go-between to silly school girl
and that idiot Of a boy! You never
thought Of the harm of encouraging this,
did you?
81 am VERY sorry, SIR" whimpered
Peter. ..r ~.
Teaching my ward to be deccitful,
for the sake of few sixpences, | sup.
pose"
Give never had a ha'penny, your hon.
or, much more sixpence,"
Neither had he. They were generally
half crowns he was in the habit of recciv.
ing from me.
'FYou deserve to be kicked out of my
service, Stokes--drummed out of the vii.
lage, for a wicked old hypocrite p' l
"They was very fond of each other,
sir, and Miss Clara used to ask me SO be.
seeching; and when l told her there was
harm in writing to Master IIuskisson with.
out her dear gardewans knowing anything
about it, she alters said it was for the last
time, sir-really."
"If it was not for your age, Stokes, ]
would send you about ycur business this
very day. -
"I'm very sorry, sir" Stokes said
again" shedding many tears.
"Is this the tree?"
Eyes, sir, that's the tree" ba
"And Clara's last letter ia up there
now, eh? In that hole? Now, no more
lies 2" tlVl AE
"Ycs, sir, up in that hole" "7o3
"How on earth do you get at it.f'
"Master Huskisson climbs up there,
sir, for his answers will go up and
fetch down Miss Cara's letter in min.
nit" 'Hsoy sf9g
There was small epistle Of his own he
wished to obtain as we'll, perhaps, or it was
possible that his noble mind had suggested
some scheme to save dear Clara's missive
from sacreligious eyes, But Mr.. Rowley
suspected this old seryitor.
stop where you are, Stokes = he roar
ed forth; ''IIll have DO more of your mon
key tricks. Give me back" 81 .sw
"Give you a wot, sir r. 4aot aidlir a
"Bend your back, you rascal, and
will jump on it and get the letter my
self" ~ +, s s..oa..f 'asss..se.
Jump on tn" repeated Stokes, with I
look of dismay at Mr.. Rowley's portl,
figure; ''it don't strike me that | car
bear your weight, MASTER"
at will be only for a minute" sale
Mr., Rowley quite brutality; ''and if
break your back, it will serve you righ
enough. I'm not an elephant, man, ant
| will have no more Of this nonsense"
Mr.. Stokes resisted no farther. HI
made his back, as if about to commence
4 game of leap-irog with justice Of th'
peace and with more agility than | hat
given Mr.. Rowley credit for, the guardian
.
was aloft, and within an inch or two o
our letter-box. .4ag-
4 50, lor leshall you be long, ir2" Mr.
Stakes asked. croaning quite softly I