Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-12
MY STOR Y.

Mails not in, miss"
How coUkd that man in the store tell me
this with such stolid air, and then put up
the brown parcel for that brown calico woman
as indiilerently as though it was Of no conse-
quenco in the word2
I'm lookin for letter." said Brown
Calico sleepily, folks been gone nigh a
fortnight now"
"Takiu' spell with the old man, amt
they ~ inquired Mr.. Jones, evidently finding
her the more interesting of the two
Yes, but l say to Sairy Ann"
| never heard what. | went out Of the
store, so full Of disappointment and disgust
that | had to stop and wonder which way
to turn. My rapid walk in the bracng Oc-
tober air, and the enthusiasm of hope that
my vivid Imagination had eonjured up in
regard to that mythical letter, which now
seemed likely never to have being, had
put me into a state of excitement that could
not be cooled down all at once. and there
was no saiety-yalyc at hand to carry it off,
Wait for the train, was my first thought,
but the track looked hopelessly unsugges-
tive Of cars in the distance. / did not care
to sit with Mr.. Jones and be catechised re-
specting my past, present and future the
messy rock just at the elevation in the road
was picturesque, but decidedly cool at four
o'clock in the afternoon ). and wondering
for the twentieth time that forlorn little
country store should be nestled in the midst
Of so much beauty, | toiled up the ascent
weary and dispirted-vainly wishing that |
could have plunged suddenly into the office
whence the expected letter was to emanate,
and grasp the delinquent by the hair Of his
head, to bring him to realizing sense of
what he owed to society in general and to me
in particular.
OF course, the creature was not response
Bile for the delay of the cars but for at
least a week | had daily taken this trip of
mile-quite to the amusement of the family,
who had begun to laugh and hint at the at.
fractions Of Mr.. Jones' whose attractions con-
sisted in not having a wife, and living where
men were scarce and women plentiful. The
mystery of the letter was not the least de-
lightful part of it, and would not have the
postmark and handwriting seen for fear of
endless questions and teazings about my gen.
teman correspondent. For | was spending
these golden October days with friends who
shared their cares and pleasures with me,
and expected the same in return; but in this
matter | was an arch-hypocrte, for it was
my pet secret-brooded over, and jealously
guarded from every approach. | had been
trying my wings a little out in the world, aud
/, remained 70 DC seen "netner should iaii to
sn0 sSS slHunS qofoIess,y crusnTu' OF soar away
ou q ciouu oi i1lno 10 some helgnt quite IN
A0'e's'''0 u ortiH1'y ininus'
Vi course had been writing; and al
most thought no one had ever done 1t before
for month ana more had been drinking
IN tne beauty that lay around me-the beauty
oil MIL and stream and changing leaves and
autumn sunsets-untll 1t seemed to me that
IT. would be quite desplcable to live such
ne ana yet only eat and drink and sleep IN
tne ordinary way 3d. IN Wild dellrlous
'nlrs' ior iame the truth compels me to
aIu' money aisoh put pen 10 paper with
Wnat Iuiiy pelleVed TO be the sudden inspl-
ration OF siumDering genius and the result
, was actually story IL mad an orthodox
! peginning' hiuuie ana ehu' win nero ana
heroine, conversations amusing instructive
anu pa'hetiG' ana an astonishing number OF
chapters anu pages; Indeed, l was amazed
AT the swlitness with which 1t grew beneath
my hahds, ana IN my ignorance considered
'niS an auditional recommendation.
wrote IL by snatcnes' Tor some OF the
lamily were always hunting me up and
commenting on my iondness ior solitude
ana had READ 1t so often to myself that |
almost knew 1t by heart. aimed high, and
having selected popular periodical, sent
II OH wita Modest note IN which the edi-
TOR was favored with my address and re-
quested to send speedy answer. That was
TWO weeks ago and no answer yet
Ii was TOO provoking when this was Satur-
day to be told that the mail was not in, for
now l must wait until Monday before | had
another chance. The postofiice was mile
oil, and as | was the only one who particular
ly expected anything, none of them would
take the trouble to make second visit.
ANY letter = as l approached the house.
snoON my mead with ieeling oi bitterness
us renecteu that u was harder Tor me than
any Oh the rest Feople who go Tor letters
are Always looked upon as In measure res.
Ponsip,e ior tnelr non-arrlvali and as had
o'.on hau tne ieeiing myself l was not sur
prlSed 10 see that they regarded me as an IN
competent ietterman' ,.
Inc day closed IN and that delightful time
wnlon oid'iasloned people call "early candle
lighting arrived-the hour OF the whole
when 1t IS so charming to draw
cozlly up 10 the taole,lamp and open letters
papers ana BOOKS that have Just arrived.
IO rnIr az 6St LOOK agI party n5c at