Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-26

guests was as free from reserve as from Os-
tentation. Three generations were present,
and in the several apartments each age en-
joyed itself according 10 its peculiar pi eff
erences. Several cclored fddlers, far more
consequential than their masters, twanged
their vinlins and called off the figures as
the young people engaged by turns in the
old fashioned cotillons, the contra dance
and the Virginia reel; for these happily
were the days when as yet the waltz and
the German were unknown. Some of the
older gentlemen were trying their hand at
a game of whist, in which, according to the
prevalent custom of good Southern society
at that time, no lady thought of participat-
ing. Others were engaged in the different
rooms as the humor seized them in free
spirited conversation, domestic games. etc.
Yet underneath composed exterior there
were two parents present whose hearts were
snrcharged with vexatun and sorrow.
While every one else seemed in glow of
pleasant and hilarious excitement, those
two enthusiastic gentlemen, Mr.. Tom Raw
encl and MIR. Jack Gourdine, saw clearly
enough that the ground was sink ing from
aud aspirations of their lives were doomed
to disappointment. The gentleman t.
whom alusion has been made as being self
invited, Mr.. Gaillard, of Huguenot de-
scent, and possessing great wealth, was ac-
companied by his wife and a son, and a
niece. These two young persons changed
the horoscope of the future. Young Gail
lard, witty, accomplished, and Ierlect
specimen of manly beauty, was indeed
dangerous rival for Phil Ravenel TO have
encountered, had not The latter become be-
wtched beyond remedy by the peerless
charms of Mr.. Gaillard's niece, Miss Ade-
la de Dubios. She was indeed n maiden 10
attract the gaze and admiration of all
around he:. Tall, graceful and dignfied
in department; positive beauty in her case
might have been dispensed with; but if
features of classic mould, black eyes BEAM
ing but not piercing, radiant smile dis
closing such teeth as are seldom seen, if
these constitute beauty, then could Adc-
lade Dubois fairly lay claim 10 that dis
tinction. Il it matter TO lie surprised al, =,
then, that Phil Ravenel surrendered him
self on the spot or, seeing how whole
snuled and charming fellow Phil really
was, that Miss Dubois readily accepted his
homa &c? But who would have suspected
that Phil was such Il tickle, faithess sort of
a youth why he seemed TO have forgotten
his precious little Hattie altogether; and
she, quite as regardless of her plightcd
word to her good old Phil, had no eyes for
any one hut Edward Gaillard. She con-
versed with no one else, and danced with
no one else the whole evening, except once
or twice with her aflianced in Virginia
reel, just TO save appearances. II seemed
perfect sacrifice OF principle on both sides,
yet the two culprits were wonderfully for
giving of each other, and their Jealousy, If
any existed, must hav3 been of the rose
colored order, rather han green-eyed. II
was in fact, rese ervcd for their poor discon-
ccrted, disconsolate papas to suffer the
pangs of intoerable jealousy.
''Why, Tom," inquired Mr.. Gourdne of
his old friend, as they were little aside
from observation, "what in the name of
our old iorelathers does this all mean?"
at means this, Jack Gourdine, lust this
and nothing more, .be jig is up; can't YOU
see for yourself, man? There, now, do
just observe, my Phil is taking out that
Miss Dubois for another dance if don't
give the conounded fellow lecture for his
perfiuious conduct this very night, then
my name is not Tom Ravenei!'
but Tom," observed his cronv, she is
no more inconsistent than my Hattie is ;
she seems at this very moment 10 be listen
ing to what that young Gaillard |, pouring
into her ear as though it gave her superla-
tive happiness. Ah dear Tom, we can see
clearly enough, as you say, that the die is
cast; have no more expectation at this
moment that our children will ever be uni
ted in marriage tan that you and will
go on pilgrimage to Siberia"
Toms heart almost sank within him as,
with faint groan, he murmured: "AIl are
happy here, poor Jack, but ourselves, a. d,
so far as l am concerned, this Christmas
night with its disastrous events will be
marked on my liies calendar as the most
miserable one I ever SPENT
"Yes, indeed" replied Mr.. Jack Gour-
dine; "what interfering demon of discord
could have put it into the head of my wor-
thy old friend to come on a visit with those
two bewilching children just at this inop-
poltune time l cannot imagine; the flame
we were endeavoring 10 fan is now nearly
ex.inguished. Do. Tom, aid me in enter
tanning the company, for / can scarcely
conceal my chasrn and heaviness of heart,
A dismal Christmas n dismal Christmas,
truly"
l, e.. -, H.
die was cast, indeed the long cherished
hopes and wishes of The two unhappy ia
theirs were suddenly wrecked, while the
tender hopes and aspirations of the chill
dren under the impulse OF a true and gen.
uine love were fully gratified.
Not more than three months elapsed he
fore Phil Ravenel obtained he promise of
Miss Adelaides hand in marriage. and
| even then he was some time behind Ed
ward Gailard, for the latter gentleman,
| fearing n possible diversion in the mind of
Hattie in favor of her former beau, popped
the question Just one month succeeding the
| Christmas entertainment, and was at once
cheerfuly accepted.
All the young folks were intensely hap
py, and none more so than Phil and Hat
| tie, for they discovered just in time that
the regard they had enterlsined for each
other was Of very different character
from that which should exist between hus-
band and wife. When Hattie's father re-
preached her for her fick leness, she replied
that "she should never have thought of
| giving up her dear old Phil on any account,
only she thought she was under greater
obligations TO Mr. Gallard, because she
and he had fallen in love with each other"
Philip and Hattie easily arranged matters
they laughingly threatened to institute le'