Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-15
Male Coquetry.

Charles Linton and myself were idling
away an hour Of twilight in n careless saun-
ter along the pavement of the quiet village,
where we were mutually pursuing our col
legiato studies. The garniture of autumn
bedecked the hills, the tropical leaf sways to
no gentler breeze than our lips were parted
to receive; our mental tolls had ceased with
the changing vibration which still fingered
in the chapel steeple, and groups of our fell
low students were passing TO and fro, keenly
enjoying the loneliness of the hour, and eX-
ultng in their release from the daily routine
of study. Arm in arm we pursued our walk,
yet our manner was free from that bustling
sprightliness and noisy jovialty, which is so
striking contrast to the silent reserve of
manhood and invariably betrays the light
hearted student. Our eyes were not making
their usual excursions to the open windows
of our female acquaintances-even the slight
drafts upon our politeness, rs some fair form
of their number fitted by with n twinkling
step and furtive glance of coquetry, were
met only by an absent and mechanical bow.
and our friends among the laborlng classes,
rs they trudgcd from their daily toll and sent
in our pursuit some piece of rustic satire
started at the unusual silence of two such
college blades rs ourselves Even the viii
lage boys displayed their agility and minstre J.
sy, with sinister design upon our pence and
praises, in vain In truth, we were too much
absorbed in our own conversation to be
heedfu of passing sights and sounds"
1t will be n difficult task to give mental
or personal description of my companion.
During an acquaintance of four years found
his character n continued study. My readers
will imagine II form imposing in proportion,
graceful, instinct with buoyant and oXultant
health, and an irregular yet expressive cast
of features. of which keen gray eye and n
mouth of intellectual outline would mos;
wildly impress an observer. read Charles
Linton like n book, when we first took oul
seats together in the college chapel, by the
flash of the one and the passionate curve Of
the other His uniform demeanor was cour.
teous and fascinating in the extreme, yet
could never rid myself of the impression that
his manner WAS artilicial-rather moulded
from the heartlcss maXms of Chesterfield
and Rochefoucault than the free gushngs Of
n kind and generous spirit. And it was so
splendid qualities, still Charles Linton's reign
ing and most repulsive foible was selfishness
an instance Of the exhibition of which ma!
be traced in the present sketch. Linton
intellect was active, strong, restless, and ad
mirably disciplined, lie was the only col
legiate genius ever knew, that sustained
the character of an industrious and success
full student His sel-control WAS remarkable
have known him to literally tremble will
passion yet with an overmastoring effort, hi
eye would clear and the lip which he ha'
bitten until bathod in blood, would b
wreathed in smiles. These imperfect an,
rambling details promised, hasten to sketc
adetached passage in the conversation be
fore alluded to.
yet, what will be the result of this firta
ton upon the feelings and peace of Hele
Richmond Have you thought of this, Lii
tonP"
~ have thought little and care less abou
the result"
A." Has it not occurred TO you,n / replied
"that young and susceptible girl of sixteer
who has known few companions beside Il
poets and her own f,ncies, may repay yoI
marked attentions with the gift Of h
heartPn
Suppose such n catastrophe should o
cur" reioined Linton, " Helen Richmond
her sex should not complain. Coquetry
their beings end and aim and by "A lit
harmless Irritation we only repay their a
tacks upon our peace of mind in their ov
coinn
Really, Linton, you are becoming We
chivalrc of late. We lords Of creation a
much obliged to you for COUGHING lance