Litchfield enquirer., 1873-11-06
From seribnsr's Monthly
 FOR PAsTIME.

sonntabls freaks that now and then take possession of man, and lead him to do Something altogether outside of his usual routine and contrary to his habits of life.
 In the case of man of leisure, whose in- clination naturally forms his habits, you might easily suppose them contrary to his inclination, as well. It was freak of this kind which led Walter Phelps to re- fuse to join a family party, consisting of
 his own mother and sisters, his young
 brother John, and his cousin Miss Marga- ret Sturgis, with her maiden aunt. They were to make the tour of the Northern
 lakes. and to settle down for few rest full weeks in the Lake Superior region, returning in time for the grand clinacte- rick at Saratoga, and the parting glories of the season at Newport. ,.-ri
 He wanted little outing quite to him self, he said, and said as one who was in earnest. It was something new for him.. He was one of the men fond of being en- tertained, and accustomed to be made kind, and usually quite to be relied on for escort duty. His mother and sisters had demonstrated at first, but he told, them that, with John in attendance, they sure ly Would not need him. And Miss Mar garet Sturgis, his cousin, maintained that he was quite right So they had started for the north west, and he for the north east at the same time. He had provided himself with the multitudinous equip ment of an angler, and already he Rad stopped in two or three different small villages in New Hampshire, failing so far to find a spot which the trout and he were agreed in approving. .-....t--f5-- z---
 At last, one evening, he was staging it through the beautiful Pemigewasset val- ley, and watching the sunset glory upon the hills and over the tranquil river. They were just entering little village, and he turned his eyes by chance still Destiny, you see, was playing him as if he had been pawn on a chees-board- away from the river, crimson with sun set to notice on the other side pictur- esque old house among the trees. As they came opposite the door, he saw stand ing in it girl whose lovely piquant face flashed on his sight for a moment and then vanished, as the stage-driver, after the manner of his tribe, whipped up his tired horses into wild spasm of despair ing energy in order to drive up in state to the hotel. MT. Phelps had meant only to spend the night in this little village of Riverside; but 1t began to look to him like a good trout region. When he was shown into large comfortable chamber overlooking the river. his convictions strengthened; and by the time he had eat en his neatly-served, well-cooked supper, he was sure that if the trout did not come there it was so much the worse for the trout
 A soft summer moon was rising as he went out on the piazza, and he strolled away in the tempting summer night, and went-but this was of set purpose and not at all to be set down to the account Of Destiny-toward the house where he had seen the vision of fresh, young love- iness in the doorway It was pictur- esque old place, square house, the roof sloping up on each side toward a square erection, which was sort of large-sized eupola. The trees that overshadowed this New England home were old and stately enough for an English park longed to plain New England people,. Il a mockery to talk of transient wayfarers on this planet as owning the solid earth the waiting hills, the whispering trees, that were here long before they came; that will be here, glowing in the warmth and light of each days sunshine, long after these brief soiourners are dust. Shall property mock it's possessor with it's own permanence? There is only one Proprie- tor, because only one who can ontlast his possessions, and when David said, "The earth is the Lord's," he understood the secret of ownership. l..s...- aFi T But Walter Phelps was not of specH- 1ative turn of mind; he only thought of the trees as indicating an old estate. Some of our stout New England yeoman- ry," he unused, "who may very likely, have lived here for generations. The old house seems almost as strong as the land it is built on-but that girl looked like an exotic. She must be worth knowing, if one could only find out way. But she is not the girl, nor are such people as live here the people. to permit any imperti- nent familiarity. - s4 Just then Destiny took up the cards again, and shuffied them for him. 4!a
 A horse came tearing along the country road at a frightful pace. It took only a glance to show the 1ooker-on that he was running away. The vehicle. sort of Dr.'s sulky, was swaying from side to side, and it's occupant had evidently lost all control of the excited horse. Mir. Phelps glanced round. A few rods in front of him the road turned suddenly and sharply, and unless the animal had sense enough to turn with it, there was nothing to prevent him from dashing eve rything to pieces against 8 solid stone wall. There was no lack of pluck or of muscle about Walter Phelps. He had been stroke oar of. his boats crew in col lege-he had reserved force enough, and knew how and where to use it. He walk ed leisurely toward the horse, with an air as listless and dSgag1e as if he were in 8 ballroom, but suddenly he had caught the bit with grip like steel, and the as- tonished animal stood still in the high, way, much surprised, no doubt, at this interruption to his high-footed proceed ings. . ,.,.....,.ra h
 s'Much. obliged, I'm sure, came voice from the interior of the carriage; ttI had been calculating the probabilities, and had about concluded that unless I should be saved by miracle. it would take bet ter surgeon than I am myself to set my bones. If you'll hold this blood d-and- thunder quadruped moment more, I'll
 get out and lead him home. c3 -'
 With which words a portly man of 8 little past fifty descended from the sulky and reached out for the bridle rein.
 s'Let me keep it." Walter Phelps said politely, 'tyou are some what shaken by your adventure. Let me lead the beast home, or drive him, as you please" ooh, home is just here, and you will come in and let Bessie thank you. - l Could the young beauty be this mans
 wife! But know; the idea was rnonstrous.
 A. shufling sort of farm hand had heard
 the noise by this time, and came round
 to the gate. - s~
 : ssTake good care of this beast and rub
 him down well, for he's been having plen- | ty of exercise" said the master coolly !; and then the horse was led away. and the
 two men walked up from the front gate
 to the house together. Already the beau
 ty of Walter Phelps's sunset vision was
 in the door, aoa sl 4fr.s as--y v
 'sWell, Miss Bessie. the master of the
 house said cheerfully. ssthe new horse
 has been running away. I stood . fair
 chance of being dashed to pieces agalnst
 the stone wall; but when I had just said tn myself that conld nnlH be saYed hY a