Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-09-03

The story Mr.. Ferris Told.

with snow whirling and binding the un-
comfortable pedestrians whichever way
they turned. AS people hurried past on
their way to late dinner or early tea, the
lights shining out from Jack Mallory's
charming rooms, all aglow with their warm
crimson draperies, made them forget for a
moment the wind and snow outside; and
| they haslened their footsteps to reach their
| own doors.
These pleasant rooms, which attracted
the attention of all passers-by, were just
then filled with merry party of young
men who were Willing away that last inter-
minable hour before dinner by telling sto-
ries, most of which were naturally of ro-
mantle turn. Among Jack Mallory's
guests, only one sat quiet and reserved,
while listening 10 the talk around him but
! 10 him, a man whose face was framed with
silver hair, the host often turned, showing
that his good opinion and appreciation were
of great value.
Tom Bradley, after relating one of those
good things" Tom is so noted for, which
only lack slight flavor of probability to
render them perfect, suddenly turned to the
only silent member of the group, saying:
"Come Mr.. Ferris we should like to hear
from you. You look like a man who has
had romantic adventures" A droll turn
in Toms voice as he said this, at the same
time touching his next neighbor with his
foot, showed that he, at least, considered
that last remark as one of those choice bits
of sarcasm on which he prided himself
Those nearest Mr.. Ferris noticed a sly
twin kle in his eye as he said, addressing
himself TO his host: "Jack, do you remem-
Der your fathers telling of trip we once
took together to the Yosemite2 1t was
years ago when we were your age, and be-
fore that valley had become so famous. A
few travellers did visit it occasionally, but
we camped there for several weeks, de-
termined TO explore its beauties fully.
"Ono day as l was returning from a soli-
tary ride, tired out with whole days
scramble, and thinking pleasantly oil camp
and supper, chanced TO glance on the
ground at my feet, and saw something
which caused me to alight and examine it
more closely. l could hardly believe my
| eyes So far from any human habitatiOn
or camp, and yet so recently len there
| Such feelings as animated Robinson Cru
soc when he saw the footstep in the sand,
were aroused in my breast for there be-
fore me lay-the print of a small French
| bootl
my astonishment gave way TO dismay,
however, as ] reflected that some one of a
party of excursionisls, who had visited the
place the day before, had probably strayed
away from her friends and wandered all
night in her search for them. l hastily
mounted and drove hespurs into my mule,
as the thought of this distressed damsel
ca me upon me. OF course she was young
and charming; my vivid fancy had al
ready painted her in its most glowing col
ors.
"All visions of my companions and their
| preparations for our evening meal gave
way before this picture. l determined TO
rescue her from what would be certain
death If she were LEFT TO wander about help
less and alone much longer. Every parti-
Gle of chivalry urged me on. l traced the
dainty footprints. for some distance, until
they were lost in bed of moss. l had
been obliged TO leave my mule some time
| DtlOIt, anu was dDJul W hudt
seemed useless search, for perfect still
ness reigned about me, when a fiutter as
of some feminine garment half way up
steep gorge, caught my eye.
"rhis only was needed to spur me on (;
l climbed faster and faster up the rugged
bank. l seemed 10 gain but slowly on the
unfortunate object of my search, and the
calls and halloas with which 1 made my
self hoarse, met with no response. But could
l leave this fair creature to sure destruc-
lion? fancied her agonlzed cries and still
pushed on. Always that hutter, and a
| glimpse of something red before me, on
which l could see / was slowly gaining.
| At last she stood upon the top of the ridge
and could see her form outlined against
the sky; but only for a moment, for, with
| what seemed to be a last despairing gest-
ure, she threw mp one white arm, cast off
her scarlet wrap, which had been my bea-
con, and, with her luxuriant black tresses
tossed back, melted out of my sight.
81 shrieked out for the brink of some
precipice must have been before her had
she missed her footing and fallen? or had
she thrown herself down, and so escaped
the terrors OF another night in such will
derness?
81 thought heard faint scream in an
swer to my call, and with few frantic
bounds stood where she lad been but a
moment before. 1 gave one look down
ward. My heart stood still for a moment I
That one look sufiiced; 1 turned-and
fed"
Mr.. Ferris paused and looked about him F.;
then looked at the clock as though he had
finished. "Go on, what then9" came from
each listener. "O," said he, 81 don't usu-
ally tell the rest of the story, but don't
mind saying to you that my beautiful
maiden was an old Indian squaw, who,
having been 10 the nearest settlement and
treated herself TO an unlimited supply of
'fire-water,' had INDUCED her natural taste
for finery by stealing a pair of French
boots; and she was now sitting in the
midst of her sdmiring family, just over
the brow of the ridge up which 1 had so
valiantly followed her,"
"Sold," said Tom Bradley. "Gentle-
men, dinner"
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