Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-10-09
RACHEL.

| fume OF bubbling coffee and browning
corn cake was waned through blossomy H.
laos and fruit trees almost as far as the
mill, where Edwin, the only son Of the
house OF Huntiy, was laying off his dusty
coat preparatory TO the matunlnal meal.
"There comes Mrs. Camp, the old cat |
I wish she'd stay away" thought Edwin,
as a dingy black alpaca passed through the
| front gate, and brushed the dew from the
grass and dandelions. The young man
bad a natural aversion to Mrs. Camp, part
ly because she had known him from his
youth up, and felt called upon to talk to
him about his soul, and partly be-
cause she always wafted abroad a strong
odor OF camphor, as II her virtues were
securely wrapped up in that useful drug.
Edwin knew that he must put up with
Mrs. Camp. She was his mothers ad wiser
and friend, and necessary evil. He whis-
tied as he wiped his hands on the mill tow
el, and glanced over at Rachels window.
The whistle suddenly died down.
"Conround il I" he thought. 81 wish
could clear up this miserable mystery. II
Mrs. Camp gets hold OF lt-and mother
will De sure to let It leak out-she'll go
cackling all over tho village"
A ticket of trees between the mill and
the house was studded with young leaves
glistenng In the sun, but Edwin could see
through their thin branches, and his heart
gave a new and curious thump as Rachel
came to the window. She put out her hean,
rippllng all over with pale golden locks,
l,l 10 ial l.I, L.,
the neck with brown ribbon.
Edwin had browsed among the poots II
he was nothing but tall young miller
"shine out, little head running over with curls.
To the flowers, and be their sun"
thought he, and then the young man long
ed irrationally to take the pale wistful face
between his two hands and kiss II. lie
had never kissed Rachel. The very idea
of such n thing gave him an all-overlsh
feeling that ran through his six feet of
stature like the vibration through a harp
string.
Huldah had tangled the bell three times
from the doorway before Edwin put In an
appearance.
"Late, as usual" said she, with a tart
ness sisters sometimes indulge themselves
in toward refractory brothers.
"Oh, he thinks It's manly TO keep us
waiting" put la Janet, with the pertness
of fourteen.
"But we haven't waited" said Mrs.
Huntly from behind the tray, where in
cense was rising from her excellent coffee.
Edwin Rufus, don't you see Sister
Camp2"
If there was any thing Edwin detested,
it was being called Edwin Rufus. He took
Mrs. Camps hand as II II had boen the end
Of poker. Rachel sat at the table, silent
aud with her eyes cast down, but she ate
little or nothing.
"Sister HuntIy, I'll tako lectle fetch
more sugar in my coffee, and you won't
mind if | help myself to another slice Of
corn cake. You do know how to make
corn cake, Sister Huntly; and Huldah,
you may slide one OF them eggs on my
plate"
"Oh, do go on with your story, Mrs.
Camp" said Janet-"what do you think,
Ed there was u ghost seen night before
last on the long railroad bridge over the
gully.
"Ghosti grannyv exclaimed Edwin,
with moro energy than elegance.
81 don't ask you to take my word for it,"
returned Mrs. Camp, at the samo time
shaking out little cloud Of camphor from
her person. She spoke with q slight wheeze,
which gave one the impression that the
pipes OF her voice needed oiling. But
Moses Goff is a sliddy man. l never heard
of his liking drop TO drink, and he says
his head was AZ straight As die. l guess
he ain't easily scared eithur. The moon
was shining straight down on the bridge,
and Moses says he's ready TO take oath 10
what he saw-a woman dressed In white
skilling along over the tlmbers."
"And didn't you say he chased the spOok,
or apparition, Whatever il WAS" asked
lluldah, land it sank into the ground be-
lore his face and eyesH"
"Ile had to cross the creek, you know,
and by that time the thing had disappear
ed, though he beat about among the BUSH
Is and trees, and hsllooed at the top of his
voice. Last night some Of the village boys
took a shot gun and went down TO the
bridge and watched till near morning, but
nothing appeared. Moses is certain what
he SAW wasn't of this world. 1t might
have been sent as a warming"
"What mess of absurd stufIr explod-
ed Edwin, nearly choking himself with a
moulhful of hot coffee. People must be
pretty far gone to believe in ghosts at this
| age of the world. Some Of those loafers
round the store have started this thing to
raise breeze among the women. The rail-
road bridge is fearful place, nearly sew
enty ieet high, with rocks and the trunks
OF trees all wedged In together In the gull
| ly below. Then the whole structure Is on
| ly temporary. Not a grder or brace has
been put yet where 1t will stay. 1 doubt
il the string pieces would bear even a
child's weight, and Il false step OF All inch
would be sure death"
IL don't say flesh and blood ever went
over there" remarked Mrs. Camp, again
sprinkling the air with her peculiar odor.
"Well," said Edwin, dogmatieAlly, al
flesh aud blood didn't go over, nothing has
over gone"
you needn't try to be wise above what
is written, Edwin" struck Ia Mrs. Hunt
~, look ing like an exaggerated and very
amiable poutor pigeon. 1--WE have Scrip
ture warrant for believing strange thingS.
Your father, the deacon, used to bo good
deal staggered by the Witch Of Endor and
the raising of Samuel, and we read OF IA
miliar spirits. For my part, don't want
them to get on familiar terms with me.
I'd rather they'd keep their Distance
Why, where's Rachel" she added, sudden
ly looking round. The girl had slipped
out of the room.
"What a solt-stepping thing she Is y re-
marked SisLor Camp, helping herself tC