Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-05-08
From Tinsley's Magazine
ONE WINTER NIGHT.
FIRST NARRATIVE.

The wind blow 'keeuly from the north, and
cut like frozen knives. Out in the darkcning
street my horse and gig stood waiting, aud
the December twilight gathered.
Why bless me- Annie might be going
to Japan" exclaimed, buttoniug my great
coat hastily, not caring 70 show how unwil-
ling was to lose the warm touch Of my young
wiies loving hands. Be quick, dear, and
hand me over the cases Of watches from the
ball table there"
wish you weren't going alone with these
in your pocket, George she said, looking
upon the compact Geneva box ia her hand u
to my face " il is worth more than sixtl
pounds, aud I'm sure il isn't safe for you to
carry it,"
Who's to know 1 carry it ~ | laughed,
as packed it into the long inner pocket
my oyercoat Besides, it will be worth Ter.
when bring it back, so the danger will b,
less Cheer up
Oh, George its nearly dark already,
broke in Annie, piteously, as she shuddering',
turned in from the open doorway. Peopo
oughtu't to hold clubs on Christmas Eve. l'u
sure after attending to business all the week
YOU ought to be left TO rest aud enjoy your.
sell on Saturday evening. Aud l'm doubly
sure that alter attending to 1t all the yea'
you ought to be lett to ENJOY your Oarlstma'
Eve
/ shall ENJOY it, dear said as cheer
'ully as Ut the words we're not an egreglou'
falsehood shall enjoy my drive, and my
hot supper at the Miners Arms and one OF
two other things. Ii it had been an engage
ment for this one night only, l might have
begged oil but you see, dear, 1t is the begin
ming OF years engagement which l should
not like to lose. Indeed, 1t may go on ioI
years. and we are not rich enough yet to care
to refuse a good prospect. Eh' love y
l don't know anything about 1t, except
its disadvantages, tretted Annie.
will explain once more, dear, an
swered, knowing she would IKE the lew MIN
utes' delay " though | believe 1t Is the hun
dred and hitleth time I've done SO. Twelve
OF the men at the Bog-mines have formed 3
club, which Is to meet on the night oil every
fourth Saturday, at little public house called
the Miners Arms. Here l am to join them
with good choice OF SILVER watches on ap'
proval They each pay IN to me ten shillings'
then draw lots, and the winner has watch
of the value OF the SIX pounds. There will
be one winner every night, aud one watch
sold, so at the end OF the year each member
will have watch They all 60 on paying
through the year, but those who draw the lots
of course get one less III number every month
Any one can have watch OF higher value
than the SIX pounds by paying extra, so
take some with me mat are more expensive
| hope you see the advantages, and viii makt
the best oil IT, even on a bitter December
night.
George-but George whIned Annie as
dismal after my satisfactory explanation as
she had been before " think OF my having
to spend CHRISTMAS Eve mere all alone.
Only few hours after all shall be
home at midnight to let you IN the Christ
mas never tear.
don't believe you will George The,
will Keep you or II VIII snow or fomething !
and 1t Is long hl'een miles drive each way
You cant be sure 10 be at home.
" | can, aud will, dear why, how down
hearted you are ) don't think ever sa"
you so before.
Z" shall be so dreary aud lonely and sad
all night, George"
NO. you won't love- because l shall De
home oy Twelve 10 let 10 'he christmas
There, that's promise ana you know wheth'
er I've ever broken promise 10 you NOW
let me 60 Inc shop Is TO be smut early tina,
the men may ENJOY their christmas beef aud
puddings and songs But nope they VIII
have dispersed before come home at mid
night n,
Quite sure you Il be home then ! pleaded
ANNE, still OBTAINING me
Quite sure, my anxious little darling
What treub.es you this evening Are you
afraid oil tnat iuuereal-i0oking quadruped
outside running away with me- or oi dead