Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-06-07
Farm and Fareslde.



spring blowing was almost done, when he
saw his neighbor, Mark Trowbridge, driv-
ing slowly past, in company with his wife,
who was seldom to he seen away from
home.
Hang me, If don't run over and see
Lncv," said Harry, as he hit his horses a
smart cut with the whip, to hurry them to
the end of the bout. "They are going to
town, and will be gone three hours, at least,
by the way old Mark drives. can stay two
hours and half with Lucy, and get back
again before they come home"
And the young man hitched his team to
the fence, over which he bounded and
walked away to the house in double
quick, as though every minute now was
doubly precious.
lie was almost out of breath when he en-
tered the house, which caused his mother
To inquire rather anxiously what was the
matter. Without needing her question he
pulled off his brogahs, leaving them lying
in the middle of the room-a thing his Won
dering mother was sure she had never
seen him do before. Then he. surprised
her sui more ny running vi iathei ieapihB
up stairs, three steps at time, to his own
room. Here he pulled on pair of calf
skin boots, took off his blue frock, and
substituted therefor white linen coat.
1t was raw day in April, and farmer
Trowbridge, when he started for town, had
put on his overcoat. But Harry's blood
was at fever heat and he imagined the lin
4 Al
thing. After filling his pockets with chest
nuts wherewith to bride Eddie Trow bridge
into secrecy, he stole to his sisters room,
and emptying the contents of her cologne
bottle into his hand, applied without stint
to hair and handkerchief. Then seeing
scarlet ribbon on the table, he appropriated
it for a necktie, gave himself an approving
glance in the mirror, dashed down stairs,
slammed the front door after him, and was
gone.
What in the world is Harry up to now?"
exclaimed Mrs. Grey, in wonder, rs she
paused from her work to watch the fast re-
cedng figure OF her son.
lie is going to see Lucy Trowbridge,
guess" replied Harry's sister, demurc
little damsel, who was busy ironing. "You
know, mother, that her father and mother
have gone away. Won't there be scene.
though. If they get home before Harry
leaves r.
roar brother is the biggest simpleton |
Know Of, exclaimed Mrs. Grey with spirit.
"Therc's Clara Beamer, just as good look
ing and smart as Lucy, and she thinks the
world a Of
always inviting him over while Lucy's faith
err won't even let her look at him if he can
helpit."
Lucy is worth dozen such rattlebrains
rs Clara" said her daughter, land do be-
lieve Mr.. Trowbridge had rather have Lu.
cy marry Harry than any one else. Blu
he thinks a girl should never think of
lover till she's n horrd old maid, and to-
ugly 10 get one. He keeps Lucy as clos
under his eye as though she were bah
instead of a grown up woman. | declar
if | were in her place now I'd elope tn
first dark night. But believe Lucy woul
see Harry married to Clara Beamer, an
pine away to shadow about ii before sh
would do that
Lucy Trowbridge had taken her seat b
the window, where she sat quietly SEWN,
until the buggy containing her parents wa
out of sight; then she threw down he
work and stood gazing for few moment
down the pleasant road along which the
had disappeared.
Then she had brushed her hair till
>hone like satin, and fastened knot
blue ribbon among the braids, after doin
which she resumed her seat and her worl
Did she expect that Harry Grey woul
come? He had not been in her stern fail
er's house for a year, she had not spoke
with him in month, though she could $,
him at his work in his fields beyond h,
fathers meadow almost every day. II,
father, she knew, would be very angry
. he visited her, and yet she hoped he woul
come. Lucy was not long kept in unce
tainty, for Harry was soon coming up II
lane, followed closely by Eddie. with h
fat hands full of chestnuts.
The young mans pants were tucked
his boots, and the wind was Tapping III
kirts-of his coat about numerically, Will
the straw hat was only kept in its place b
the owners hand.
Lucy wondered what freak had broupl
her lover out in summer apparel, whe
nature had not put on so much as leaf
hers.
Harry tossed his hat on the floor. an
sat down before the glowing fire, stretcl
ing out his hands over the blaze, appreci
tingly, for, truth TO tell, he felt rather chi
ly than otherwise, while Lucy sat down
the window to watch the road lest son
mishap should bring her parents home pr
maturely, and Eddie took possession of Il
rocking-chair, where, with the cat purrr
in his lap, he amused himself by watchir
the young people and occasionally throy
ing a chestnut at IIarry's nose, which ba
peued to be prominent feature. Harr
of course, wanted to talk of love, but no
could he with that urchin's eye fixed upC
him?
But Eddie was all unconscious, and a
his chestnuis with a relish, saying TO hin
self, "Irs most alfred stupid here, and |
Just like to go and fly my kite. There's
glorious wind, (how 1t did toss his cOat-ta
thought but won't bulge an inch till
gives me the rest o. them chestnuts. ii
pocket is bullying out with them" Ill
Harry had the benefit of these whisper,
words his pocket would, without doul
have been emptied in a trice, but he W
kept in ignorance of the youngsters wisht
and Eddie remained obstlnately statlonar
Notwithstanding Harry made several r
marks well calculated to let the iuveni
know that his chair might, with prophet
be vacated. At length the clock stru'
four, and Lucy went about preparing su
per- She put the kettle over, made biscuit