Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-24
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MY Girl Hunt.

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MY Girl Hunt.
form the base Of a triangle, composed Of
three unprotected females living in dear
old house, from which all beside have gone
| forth-some to the noise and toll Of life, but
more 10 the silent city where is perfect rest
One side Of this geometrical figure is formed
by majestic, though sweet and gentle age
the other by happy, gleesome youth, bound
ing gladly on toward womanhood. Around
us ALL frolics the gayest kitten that ever
sported a jet black tail, relieved here and
there by few white hairs, to make it a
match for her roly-poly body; and so in
peace We are vending our way together
through the frost and snow Of winter.
Few episodes disturb the even flow Of our
lives, but one has occurred Of which desire
to make a record. An exceptionally cold
morning recently dawned upon us, sparkling
and bright, making my skill in fre-building
even more acceptable than usual. The
smoking coffee and hot eatables seemed
doubly inviting because Of the temperature
outside, and when they had been duly en-
joyed, I went about my morning tasks with
a tranquil mind. suddenly pitiful wall
came from over the river, in the shape Of a
note from Energy, that sister delicate in
body but strong in soul, who it seemed had
now been for days staggering under the
burden Of a large family, and no help,
"maady" having seen fit suddenly TO depart
at this most inclement season. Alas, for
New England country folk, when in search
Of help Talk of looking for a needle in
Nevertheless, here was a case demanding my
immediate attention. Minor matters, in the
shape Of rising bread, unswept rooms, and
all the ordinary routine, must stand aside for
once. girl must be found. hastily pre-
pared myself 10 face the keen air outside,
and sailed forth ready TO do or die.
Our village is quiet nook, nesting among
the hills, a little level plain. Trees are every
where--a glory in summer, and even in win
ter full of beauty for eyes that look long
enough to find it out. At the time of which
| write, however, the frost king had folded
his heeey robe so thickly over the path that,
ike Absalom, was in danger Of being hung
by the hairs of my head as | hurried along
beneath the bare branches that dropped over
it. Here and there a fence, holding itself
above its neghbors, blinked at me as passed,
bvt IL; r,o,orol basa l,,,os f S,xs.;,,, bo "a ,-,,
ished, reminding one of the time 1hen men
had all things in common. But | took no
heed to these surroundings. On went, un-
til, arriving at Sally's door, knocked. Now
Sally was my hope in this emergency. The
very sight Of all that bone and muscle gave
one sense of rest. Oh, if she would only
be propitious, and hire that surplus strength
to Energy till something could be done But
reckoned without my host She knew Of
nobody. She was truly sorry for our strait,
but say no way to aid u.s. As for herself
oh no, the thing wasn't to be thought Of
she selcedi Then, as / turned away sore
troubled, but not cast down, she called me
back with, Now think ont, there's Bill
Silver's girl mabbe you could git her"
"But they live on the hill, miles away" l
objected. I'm afraid never could get
there through all this snow and cold"
"Well, just as you think" was the com
forting reply after which, with bland
good mornin'," she quietly closed the door.
paused to weigh matters On one side was
Energy, with her earnest, tired face; ON the
other, the dreary, almost perilous ride. but,
like David Crockett, when once had set
ont to do thing, knew no way but to "go
ahead" And so the scales tipped in favor
of trying for Bill Silver's girl. But the
question now arose how 10 do it. must
consult Abijah, our tdcioitR, who has for
years watched over our interests with the
fidelity Of true friend, while taking a suit
able compensation for his actual labor
Away sped, and soon sat in the warmest
seat by Abiiah's cooking stove, while Mrs.
Abijah suspended her baking to listen.
"Well nov, Ineverw she exclaimed. "If
that amt too bad Just think Of that poor
little creature dewin' her work for all them
folks this awful cold spell neverl"
How comforted felt by this homely,
hearty sympathy looked at Abijah. lie
was stern with high resolve, and thus he
spoke
"I'll tell you what, Miss Resolute, it II be
purity tough gitten' on tur that hill but
Wen try it, if you say So"
" Thank you, Abijah /" cried, joyfully.
=" do say so. Now will go home for din
ner, and then wen start right away"
agreed" he answered in his strong, de
termined tone, that made it seem as if in
him one had a tower of strength. So | hur-
ried away, and was ready at the appointed
hour, which brought with it Abijah and his
" team" Loving hands had so enveloped
me in wrappngs that must have looked
like an Egyptian mummy; at least, was
nearly as helpless, especially when seated in
the sleigh, with carriage-robe and buffalo
escort by my side, we started. But alas
how were my expectations olouded by sud
denly finding myself head and shoulders in
a snow-bank, with my feet still firmly fast
ened in the overturned vehicle was ut
terly helpless, and could only laugh. Abi-
iah stood confounded, having hastily gath
cred himself up while the horse benevolently
waited for further developments. AT last,
by the use of extraordinary effort, | regained
my usual standing among woman kind, and
once more set out with my somewhat crest
fallen companion. If laughter "doeth good
like a medicine" then were we well doc
tored, for with this beginning, the keen air