Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-01-17


Sabbath afternoon, whilo seated in the
crowded gallery Of the old church, listening
10 the grand opening hymn which preceded
President Stearns' eloquent Baccaaurcate
sermon, she became conscious Of fixed mag.
netic gaze, which drew her blue eyes by some
irresistible power toward the array Of alumni
ia the body Of the house, where they encoun-
tered those black, soulful orbs, whose passion
ate language once met could never be forgot
ten deep blush gave the owner Of the
black eyes this gratifying assurance as she
turned quickly away only to look again aud
igain, whether she would or not, for an an
'wcring glance Of sympathy as her soul was
stirred by the gifted thoughts and noble ideas
1f the speaker. So it was at Pri1a Speak.
ing g' and at the evening lectures. At the
concert Of Wednesday evening and again on
Commencement day, they were seated where
countless lightning ganccs passed between
them, while each being quick at interpreting
they were thus made acquainted By intuition .
with the thoughts Of the other. They met .
ircqucatly 10 the grounds, the grove, the /
gymnasium the chapel, on the tower, in the .
cabinets, and one day, strangely enough the .
surgiug secthiug crowd left them quite alone
for a moment in the quaint silence Of the
Nineyoh Gallery.
am glad to see that you remember our
compact" he said in his peculiarly rich
voice; "are you willing to continue it,
4 look and the words spoken tremblingly
" More than willing" was all, for Laura's
gay companions returned for her just then,
and Cousin Nell exclaimed. as she hurried
her down the drive to the flower garden
ooh, my, Laura how that splendid man
looks at you notice it every time we
meet You've made conquest | shall
write TO your father that he'll soon have you
of his bands If he looked at me in that
way | should 90 wild, but you arc so cool and
Indifferent that | doubt your realizing that
there is mau in town for Laura, much to
her cousins distaste, had turned deaf ear to
all the rawlings about students, to which they
we're given in common with most girls in
town where there is q college.
And those chance meetings were all which
the iates that time bestowed upon them, with
the exception that at the close of the week,
while standing on the piazza Of the Amherst
House, she saw him mount the crowded coach
for Northampton. They were better acquaint-
ed than scores who had been formally introduc-
ed and exchanged few meaningless conyeu-
tionalisms. As he lifted his hat when the coach
ratified away, each was conscious Of a vague
pain at parting, pain which was overcome by
the faith which each had 10 the integrity Of
the other, and the confidence that they should
eventually meet again.
Every one remarked the change in Laura.
Although not less cheerful, she showed
much higher degree Of culture and her man
ner acquired new and charming dignity.
Her tastes took such different turn that she
discarded her light, frivolous music, and prac-
ticed Beethoven aud Handel. She wrote an
essay upon culture for the village Literary
Society, not knowing her friend was preparing
lecture upon the same subject at the same
time. Their diaries, during most Of this sea-
son, as compared afterward, were curious from
their similarity, and from the way the stronger
had led the weaker and less cultivated mind
How she studied after she went home from
Amherst " How you do study {" said her
father, well pleased ; for there had been a
time, when full of her pretty, girlish conceis
and yanities books had been somewhat neg
lected. She took fancy to conchology she
looked for specimens of coral and sea-ane-
mones in every little collection in the village
and read every treatise upon the subject she
could find. She asked questions Of her father,
Of the doctor aud of Squire Brown. " 1t was
seeing the she'll, at Amherst she supposed, -
she said splendid collection she had been
delighted with them. IL was a shame she
had never seen them before, living so near
them all her life She wished everybody could
20 through those cabinets parents and teach
Wv Pp-.;,..i~-ly didn't tLi"L half enough
about it, If she had the power, every child
in the Commonwealth should 90 to Amherst
and 90 through the cabinets. How it would
rouse their ideas and give them such a uew
interest in the world they live in She could
imagiue how excited aud enthusiastic they
would be how after they went home, they
would commence collecting curlosities Of their
own how for time, the bugs, butterflies
and birds eggs would suffer what quantities
Of odd looking stones would accumulate in
imitation Of Professor Hitchcock And even
if after a time the first pleasure Of specimen
gathering wore of, they would never settle
back into the same groove where they moved
before. " For myself she said, " will i'm
prove myself every way in my power. will
be worthy of him if the time ever comes that
our lift-paths run side by side, or are the
same. lie shall not be ashamed to call me
friend. She kept herself dainty and fresh
and pure for him. She dressed herself think
ing, perchance, | shall see him, and wondered
as she put on this or that becoming article Of
appara if it would suit his taste. She swept
and garnished the rooms and made the house
pleasant; aud as she assisted her mother with
new interest about the domestic duties, she
said to herself, with blush, | will learn to
do it we'll, for perhaps some day | shall have
to do it for him"
During the golden autumn days there was
Teachers Institute at llolyoke Laura
wished to 60
You are mott teacher" said her mother
- it is foolish to go.'
But am a friend Of education aud |
really and truly take deep interest"
So she did, that was true but after her
Amherst experience, when that nervous un-
rest took possession of her, she knew very
well who was thinking Of going and hoping
to meet her there.
Let her 60" said her father, always
where his only child was concerned being
more indulgent than his wife, e" Let her goi
she will enjoy it she will learn something
I've no doubt, and will come home as full OF
enthusiasm and grand ideas as she did from
Amherst
So she went, but not on Wednesday after
noon as she wished-yisitors prevented her
but on Thursday morning As she stepped
off Fleming's train at lIolyoke station she
met, just getting on board, her friend. There
was an eloquent look into each others eyes
and silent clasp of hands as they jostled
against each ether for moment by the crowd
and he was gone.
+" Such pity you were not here last even
ing, said gay young friend. There wa
lecture upon corals, shells and all thos'
things you are so much interested in, by 4
splendid, tall, black eyed man. You me-
him just as you got of the ear. His name
is Partridge, or Shattuck, or something, I've
forgotten what, but the lecture was fine"