Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-05-01

been going on, TomP must inquire into It.
81 won't answer q word, Uncle Eben. l
never saw anybody so rude to visitors AZ you
are. don't think you know how to treat
your nephew respectfully. But Ill 20 where
they do" so saying straiebtened up with
dignity, and marched away, brim full Of
sham indignation, whistlinR. +" BY the sweet
silver light Of the moon"
Presently Uncle Eben went down town,
and cousin Bell came in. Cousin Bell was
just eighteen, four years younger thAn |. and
as bright and roguish as II is possible for
such girl to he. But l knew she would
keep secret for me. SO slyly slipped my
arm around her waist and stols cousinly
kiss. Then | smoothed the glossy black
hair from her forehead, and said in II conf
dental tone:
1--we something to tell you, Bell"
No, not bit Of II, Toni know all
about II, alresdy. was LOOKING out Of one
of the school house windows all the time. |
declare how afiectionate you looked with her
leaning on your arm. Love at first sight,
Toni Amt you ashamed" $3.50.
"Now you hush up, Bell, and hear me. I'll
own up that Clara Melrose is the smartest
little pieceof humanity 1 ever saw, and want
You to tell me- all you know about her. Has
she got any suitorsP"
"Well. You must be blockhsad If you
suppose girl as pretty as Clara Melrose has
no suitOrs. Why, she has got II dozen Of
them. There's not the least chance for you,
Tom"
"You don't know about that. Bell. But
would try my luck If she had q thousand Of
them. Now drop your bantering, Bell, and
tell inc tho truth. Has she any suitors that
she cares anything abOutP
Yes, Tom, she has Percy Shaw is al
most distracted for her. Elder Mslrose
favors the match because Percy is rich.
don't think il will he match though for
Clara told me in confidence that she didn't
just fancy him."
well, am rich, too, Bell, SO he has no
advantage over me there, and l shall put in
my claim. | believe can get her consent
to deed me her whole affections and throw
herself into the bargain. But Amt she pref
ty, though? never saw anything like it"
" You mustn't be too enthusiastic, Tom
1t will never do to crow before day. You
will certainly lose her If you do
Enthusiastic, Bell! Enthusiasm is just
what is going to win the battle, There is
nothing like brave, enthusiastic heart to
execute any purpose. If had no enthusi-
asm know | should fail Now keep my
secret, Bell; have your eyes open. and If
you see anything favorable let me know,
will youP' ss sr--sat rrSI
Yes, Tom"
That's bargain, Bell. So we'll seal
it with another cousinly kiss, rs we have a
right to-" and we sealed it.
The next day I called to inquire after
Clara. Elder Melrose met me at the door,
and took me into the parlor. Clara was still
confined to her bed. but Elder MelrOse as
sured me that the physician pronounced her
doing remarkably we'll. Mrs. MeirOse came
in She seemed a very intelligent woman,
with quiet matronly air.
knew my success depended very much
on making good impression on the parents.
| did my best on that occasion. fancy
made my self agreeable. They urged me SO
strongly that staid to tea. When went
back to Uncle Eben's, was pleased with
the prospect.
Next day Bell camo to me confidentalIy
81 have got something to tell you, cousin
Tom
we'll what is it, Beh?n '
What will you give me if will tell?"
=" will give the legal price, Bell" There.
upon stole another cousinly kiss.
" never will tell you in the world, Tom
If you keep on acting So" Bell left me will
assumed Indignation, marched across tn,
, room and sat down on the sofa
Presently had my arm around her again
. conidentialy, coaIingly:
Now, Bell, tell me what it is, and I'll bt
good" E.. ..
81 donf put any confidence in yonr word
! Tom. YOu are so rude cannot endure it.
"Well, Bell, | will be good hereafter. 1
you will tell me what it is. 1 will kiss yoI
again the first chance get"
"Ah you rogue. Tom But there's M
hope Of reforming you. So suppose mus
tell. Elder Molrose and his wife SAID some
8 thing about you last evening"
What was it, Bell?"
81 don't think had better tell. You AZ,
already vain enough to spoil you. Tom"
"Soflly. Bell I'll acknowledge all you
: say. But what was itP"
: They thought you an exceedingly mic
!. young man, and very entertaining"
"Whew! Did they say that, Bell, honest7
= "Of course they did. DO you suppose
: mo, Bell 1 know better than to think yo
would play trick on me-"
~ have something else to tell you, too"
What is it, thenp"
:, Percy Shaw went to Chicago, yesterday
. to be gone month SO you will have
!. clear field"
That's too bad, Belli wish to give hir
u fair chance and thea see which will win.
You are an odd thing, cousin"
- "Why shouldn't be, BellP Are not tn
:, Fraziers all of the same stampP"
= IAN hut our folks, Tom. We are jui
like other people"
Except that you all have All extremeI
large stock Of self conceit."
- "You behave, Tom, or will divulge yor
secret and spoil tho match"
=, II will behave, then, Bell. But WAS thi
= all you had to tell mePn
mo, Tom. There is going to be n gran
M sugaring off at farmer Bradshaw's next weel
They have invited Elder Melrose's fami
and ours. You will go as one of our famil.
7 | told Clara you would stay and 70 to Il
=, party. asked her to promise not to 60 vii
" any one else, for wanted you TO 60 vii
- her"
~ What did she say to that?"
Oh "You are dreadful inquisitive, Tom
- "YOs, but you know, Bell"
g. well, | do know, Tom, that you are
in love with Clara, your inquisitiVeness
VS. more exousable Clara didn't say she won
not 60 with you. That is equivalent To 81
rs inU sha wOuldm