Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-10-03

ner Hoyt. l don't know how much she
was to blame. My sister Abbey always
took her part, and said Penelope was over
persuaded by her folks 10 say she would
have Nathan. Anyhow, she broke off her
engagement to your father and marred Alb
ner. Then your father married me, and we
moved out here. That is all know
"'Did Uncle Abner have any family? l
asked, after a short pause.
"'I believe he had. They moved away
from the place, and both he and his wife
died young. Abbey always kept up her
friendship with Penelope but l asked her
never to say anything about them in her let
ters. When you are in Vermont Abner,
you must go and see Aunt Abbey
"Pawlet is a very queer little place. with
more ups and downs, and wooded noun
tain sides, and running brooks than ever
saw before. Aunt Abbey lived in a tiny
red house, Just where the little Pawlet riv
err runs across the road, and turns, almost
at a right angle, TO its former course. Just
in front is high rocky ledge, at the base of
which the river flows for some distance,
and then directly under a high-arched
bridge, pours down some thirty feet in
pretty little fall.
"Aunt Abbey gave me n warm welcome.
She was widow, much older than my
mother, and lived in the little red house
with her daughter Malvina, a cheerful,
sensible old maid, with learning enough for
a college professor. OF course we had ev-
erything to talk about; and 1 made ac-
quaintance with host of new cousins, both
Hoyts and Marvins. 1 observed that al
most everybody that called asked about
Penelopo and the answer always was, that
Penelope was over at Deacon Bakers weav-
ing.
"'Who is Penelopo?' l asked at last, of
my cousin Malvina.
"'Oh, Penelope Winder !-wcll, she's q
kind of adopted child of ours. Shn's an
orphan and when her step father died she
hadn't any home, and her mother was a
great friend of ma's-so she naturally came
to us. We would like to keep her with us
all the time, but she has very Independent
feelings, Pen has, and likes to support her.
SELF She's a splendid hand at all kinds of
weaving, and folks send for her far and
near. But she makes her home with us,
and as she is TO come home Saturday, we
will hitch up old bay and go after her.
81 was pretty well disposed to like PEN
elope beforehand; and when young Dr.
Amber, who was the beau of the place,
asked Malvina when Miss Winder was ex-
pected, l felt that he had taken an unwar-
rantable liberty. When / saw Penelope
understood the reason. 1 felt at once that
| n1odo for nd I Il
never changed my mind. In weeks
time we were as well acquainted as if we
had known each other for years, and in
three weeks we were engaged"
at was very imprudent in me-" said my
mother-in-law, demurely 81 don't know
how 1 came to do so.'
''Nor I! I never conld guess. We'll,
Aunt Abbey and Malvina both looked
troubled when we told them of it.
" 4 am afraid it won't do, children said
my aunt,-I am, indeed Perhaps ought
to lave forescen and prevented. You have
heard of your uncle Abner?
"'Mother mentioned him to me once
replied but she cautioned me never to
speak of him to father
"'Just so. / was afraid it was that way
said Aunt Abbey. How folks can be so
inveterate, don't know. Well, Penelope,
here, is your uncle's only child. You see,
her mother married again after his death.
| She was left kind of forlorn with this ba-
by, and 1 asked her to come and spend the
winter with me. Old Major Winder took
great fancy to her, and-well, l suppose
it was natural enough
"'Natural for some folks said Malvina
with emphasis.
"'Well, anyhow, the old man was very
good to her, and gave the child a good edu-
cation. But, you see, he never made will.
l used to talk to him about it, and he al
ways said he meant TO provide for Pene-
lope But he was taken suddenly one day,
and the daughter by the first marriage, who
never could abide Penelope nor her moth
| er-'
"'Nor anybody else, but herself inter
rupted Penelope. Il never could under
stand how she could be Father Winder's
daughter
"'She wasn't much like him, that's cer-
tain; for a sweeter tempered old gentle
man never lived continued my aunt
Anyhow she took everything Pen had
hard work to get even her mothers things.
However, she did get them at last, and then
she came to us. When her own father died
did write letter to your father unknown
to Penelope; but such letter as he sent
me. l never dared let your mother see it,
Pen, but I'll show it to you both now.'
$50 she did. 1t was a bitter, hard letter
and cruel and unforgivng. My cheeks
burned with anger and shame when read
it.. Penelope did not say word at first,
but presently she frightened up.
"'Aunt Abbey" said she; if could
see Uncle Nathan, l am sure I'd make him
like me in spite of himself
"'I believe you would said l.
"'Well, l don't know-your father is
dreadful set,' said my aunt. Anyhow,
Abner, you owe every thing to your father,
and you ought not to 90 against him.
AUNT Abbey is right said Penelope,
after little pause; 1T won't do, Abner.
We must give it up for the present.
81 was very unhappy at the idea, and
dare say said many foolish things"
THAT you did ~ interrupted my moth
| er.
'e'ii oHolole WAS Hrul anu Wnen We
parted she would not even promise to write
to me. / was so downhearted all my yaca-
ton that father thought 1 was sick, and
was for keeping me at home ; but opposed
that plan With all my might, as you may
guess. l once tried TO introduce the sub
ject of my uncle with my father, but got
such an answer, that l never attempted it
again. l was very unhappy, indeed; l
could not bear TO quarrel with my father,