The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1872-06-20
MISS HIGGINS MAN.


Forty-thrce years Miss Higgins had
looked under her bed every night, and
never found a man there yet; still she
looked. Whether It was fear that impel-
led that deathless research, or a fatality
that was beckouing her TO her fate know
not. Il would seem, however, to be the
former, for she had ollen been heard TO
observe: That Of all the denominations
on earth, man is the most abominable.
Indeed, at the informal tea drinking of
the allied forces of Chesterville, the three
Misses Wheeler, and two Misses Jones,
she had often excclled them all in the
withering tone with which she would re-
peat: Man! mani and no one could
breathe greater defiance at this foeman
than she. Ii was at one OF these tea par
ties that they had entered into a solemn
compact that, in the event of Woman's
Rights giving either Of these allies sover-
eign power over the nation, an Eastern
law was to be by them imported and i'm
proved, and husbands buried with the
dead bodies Of their wives.
AS Eunice Higgins well remarked:
That would put an end to widowers pref
ty lively. And with this remark the hy-
son flowed, and the wassail went on
with such spirit, that Aurelia Wilder,
the most radical added another clause
That the children Of widowers should be
throwed IN too, and not be botherin'
other women. This was also well re-
ceived.
Now If any one thinks Miss Eunice
Higgins was a woman devoid of virtues
and womanly graces, | pity them-they
are so utterly mistaken. She had assist
ed drunken father through the world,
| till he made his exit--sustained and sup
ported a feeble mother--and three OF
| four children older but more helpless
- she, till the mother went home tc
ina ard, and the children had found
ner rev. Naes for themselves, with the
hourshiig no. dest son, who had fol
exception oi lhe o., '"os, literally. In
lowed his fathers foots.> = IN. sneci
deed, when one contemplate ,ost fa
mems of manhood she had been Ia. =.
milisr with her aversion to the sex do,
not seem so wonderful. She was now
shrewd eyed, but good and kindly look
ing. No home surely was brighter than
hers. No farm was better managed.
The night on which commences my
humble history, Miss Higgins went to her
room in unusual good humor She had
had tea party. The allies had long been
present, and admitted unanimously that
such fragrant tea, such snowy biscuits
and honey, such golden butter, such cake
and sweetmeats had not been partaken of
that season. The scene of her benign
victory rose before her as she took off the
little switch of hair at the back side of
her head, aud pensiyely rolled it up ere
She put it IN the top bureau drawer.
She saw again the glorious sun shining
in through her house plants in the win
dow, upon the crimson drugget Of the
dining room: the snowy tea-table with
it, silver and pink sprigged china; the
sdmiring faces OF her friends as they par
"a. X Of her delicious food But one
Nom. Wy disquieted her: She almost
pistrus, II her lemon extract was losing
Is strength the frosting on the fruit
AXE didn't So, IN 10 be favored quite high
,pougb But /, Nis haunting manner was
.oflened by the N, 'ught that she could
,et new bottle tom, 'rrow
BY this time she was arrayed IN her
ong white night.dress IA hight-chp'
She folded up every article 0. clothing,
md laid il down at right ang, IS she
oeked up her breast-pin and then 'npel-
ed By fate, she calmly advanced to he
ide Of the bed, aud raised the snowy va !
uces-gaye one shrek, and fell back
ward on the carpet, hitting her head bad
= as she did 50 On q chair-rocker. There
Aas her man under the bed
Miss Higgins bad often fancied how
be would awe such robber, such a
burglar, with her fearless and searching
dances how she would defend her prop.
.rty with her life. Let us not be too
iard with her--she is not The only one Of
Is who has found that II Is more easy 10
lream Of great achievements than to ac-
.onplish them She Is not the only one
sho al the iirst shock. has shrieked and
umbled down before adverse fate.
But Eanice Higgins was not one TO
gither away before q calamity Not
5Bg did she lie there; bat as short a time
5 il was when shc lifted hcr head, her
pan confronted her lie was very IT.
le man, indeed, not more than seven
ears old, aud small 81 that. very good
ooking and well-clothcd, although ex-
ecdingly dishercled and uncomfortable
d appearance.
How came you here, under my bed
This was the FIRST question, bat Il was
epeaied before be answered, with dro0p.
az head and glances. ID
I've ruined Awav