Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-08-26

but as cousin Mary isa strict little Quaker
| look about in vain for piano. Well
I'll do my best. What shall 60 beq Tn,
Last Rose Of Summer9" And waves O
melody rang through the room Her yoic,
was highly cultivated, wonderfully pur,
and sweet She warblcd ike q bird, ant
with as little effort apparently. Song fol-
lowed song in rapid succession, TN, AZ the
last notes Of that sweetest Of songs Joys
that we've tasted" fell on the ear, the
hearers pressed forward, and expressed their
delight.
She bowed her thauhs aud turned %
Amos His eloquent glance expressed more
freely than words bic enjoyment Of th'
rare treat
The hours passed rapidly with mirth and
music. At length the little hostess invited
her guests into the long dining room, &c
pariake Of the tempting display Of edibles
After ample Justice had been done the del
icate yiands, the young folks returned tc
the parlor for one last game Of blind-mani
buff. After the rolicking, jolly game was
ended, shawls and muiilors were donned
many good nights were said, and the gay
party separated.
Amos handed Ruth iato the sleigh, and
taking a seat beside her, they were soon
glidinrover the elitterinr snow. The drive
was a quick one. Amos seemed rre-oc
cupiod, and Ruth was heartily glad when
home was reached. Wishing Amos good.
night She hurried into the house, and went
right to her own room.
"Well, the long-oob cd-lorward.to even.
iug has come and gone confess it WASH
half 80 pleasant as | thought it would be-
And Mary says She is going to make long
stay. Well, really, | believe ] am icaou
of that pretty girl This will never, never
do, and, hastily disrobing, Ruth was soor
sleeping the sleep Of youth and innocence
and slept on, undisturbed till her mother.
gentle voice aroused her.
Come, Ruth, It's time thee was up Sc,
how high the sun is wouldn't call thee
before knew thee vas tired out. Hurry
down, and tell US all about it. Thy father
has been up these two hours, and doub
not is very hungry" Aud Friend klizabctt
patted down the stairs, nd into the warn
dining-room, and busted her elf giving tn,
last touches to the neat breakfast table.
She was soon followed by Ruth, and
while enjoying the fragrant coffee and de
icious mullins, Ruth told them Of the gay
doings Of the young folks, aud called smile,
to the kind old faces by her merry dcscrip,
tion Of the scene. feeling sad enough al
heart, poor child! as she recalled scyora
little instances that had rather marred tn,
pleasure of the evening for her.
The weather continued clear and cold
and the sleighine fine; and seighiug partiei
came to be quite the order of the evening.
But Amos visits to Ruth were rare
He was completely entranced by the grac,
and beauty of Alice Raynor. An his even
ines we're spent in her society. In hei
smiles he was happy. Listening to hel
voice in conversation, or drinking in heI
silyery tones as she sang the sweet Ole
songs, or trilled some opera gem, be forco
her who had been all the world to him, Ill
this charming stranger appeared.
Do not blame him too severely: he wa
Young. and. manlike, very susceptible t,
nattery. and the wiles of this pretty woman
oyercame him.
Itwasa bright afternoon. The sunbeam
crept in through the clear window names
and lighted up the well worn carpet, tn,
straieht.backed chairs, and shining mahog
any table in the dining. room. where Rutl
sat all alone.
Her mother and father had gone to vs
a sick neighbor. and would be away Ill
night; so the little maiden, after tdyint
up, had put on a fresh back log, taken ou
her knitting, and was Just co0gratulatin,
herself on the prospect of a nice, quiet tim
all to herself, when, after a sharp, little tal
at the door, the knob was turned, and Dor
cas- Jones walked iu
Now Dorcas was a great gossip. Sh
was a seamstres., and, 10 her visits from
one house to another, picked up many lit
tie bits Of news, and rolled them like swoc
morsels under her tongue and nothing de
lighted her more than to communicate
spicy little piece Of gossip to an attentiy
hearer.
Because Of her great propensity Of tat
ling, she was Ruths special aversion, an,
her entrance was generally the signal fu
Ruth's departure from the room. But Of
this occasion She saw that escape was i'm
possible, and made up her mind to bear th
inhiction, secretly hoping something woul,
shorten her mothers visit.
Good afternoon, Dorcas. Come in
Mother has gone out to pay visit, but
hope will be IN before long. Is It yer,
cold "
Well no, it isn't so cold as 'spceted t.
lind 1t. And how are you all2 | tol'
Mary Jane it seemed long time since IL
seen any Of you. thought I'd just rul
over and spend sociable evening so pu
my work in my pocket, and started of
I'll just take off my things, for as Mar,
Jane says, when | get into this house,
never know when TO leave. But, as tel
her, body always knows when they're vel
of, and that's the way feel when | get t,
Friend Miller's."
And DOrcas laid aside her gray shawl
and prim little bonnet, and proceeded Il
make herself comfortable by drawing he
easy chair nearer the lire, lifting her peti
coats little higher, aud eleyating he
feet so that her damp shoes might get tn
full benefit Of the heat. Then she took he
knitting out Of her pocket, and worke'
away with a will her thin metallic vote