Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-04

eyes, was called Mildred after her great
grandmother, whom she was believed closely
to resemble. She was a singular child shy
and reserved 10 manner, and fond Of Wander
ing of by herself among the rocks and trees
listening to the roar OF the surf aud the sigh
ing Of the wind. Her iavorite position was
at the foot Of the old oak tree she would
sic with, her fair head leaning against its
rugged bole, running over iu her mind the
strange stories Of by-gone years, and striving
In her childish way 10 fathom the mystery
which seemed 10 underle them. The ancient
tree seemed TO cast peculiarly grateful
shade about this child, and perhaps succeed.
ed better than ever heretofore 10 establishing
some sort Of communication. Mildred loved
il with all her heart, and told it all her Sc
crets aud the tree received them in the most
sacred confidence, never repeating them even
to the ocean. The latter, however, appre-
ciated the delicacy Of the oaks feelings, aud
never took tho least offensc. So the three
became aud remained fast friends long after
the girl had ceased TO be child
Meanwhile the affairs at the cottage had
shared in tho general prosperity. Mildred's
parents had striven to give their children a
better education than they themselves had
had their sons were sont 10 college, and
Mildreds naturally refined and thoughtful
nature received such improvement as study
aud accomplishments could give it. But,
when all had been done and the sons had
gone forth into the world, all money which
had been saved was spent, and soon after
came the war of 81, aud times were hard
again, and prospects gloomy. The tree won
dered whether the hour to deliver up its Sc
cret had not yet come.
One day in August, young man, elegant
| y dressed, with vaise 10 his hand, came to
the cottage door and asked if he might have
lodging there. All the hotels were filled,
aud this was his last chance. Tho Donnos
we're pleased with the young mans frank
address and engaging manner, and finally
consented TO receive him; and he soon be-
came favorite with them all. He was rich
and we'll connected, and told them many
tales Of the outside world which they had
never known; but when he talked, his eyes
most often sought sympathy from Midreds
aud it was she who listened to him with the
most rapt attention aud not many weeks
had passed before they knew they loved each
other.
Sitting together one evening beneath the
oak tree, Mildred told her lover the weird
story, which, from her frequent musings over
! il, had become TO her as real as If she herself
had been an actor in it. He listened TO 1t in
silence. aud then remained for some time
plunged in thought.
"What was the name Of the custom-house
captain 2" asked he at last
II never heard" answered Mildred
because, continued her companion, "your
story reminds me somewhat of a tradition in
our own family, which resided somewhere
here about hundred years ago. My great
grandfather is said TO have ridden at the head
Of party of custom-house officers to arrest
desperate pirate who was believed to have
gotten possession of vast amount of treasure
They encountered the whole crew Just a,
they were on the point Of embarking, and OF
their refusing to surrender, at once attacked
them. My great-graudfather was killed by
the pirate captain, though not before he had
himself sent bullet through his murderer
heart. But no treasure ever was discovered.
"How strange !" murmured Mildred, with
wide open eyes; and then her mothers voio'
called in the young people from the cool
night air
They were to be married that winter, and
Iioinshed was to build handsome villa oil
the site of the old cottage. The library win
dow was to come right under the shadow o
the ancient oak tree, they were all to live
together happily for evermore. Early il
October, Holinshed left them, to arrange BIZ
affairs and make his preparations. In I
month he was to be with them again. Ill
and Mildred parted beneath the time.honoret
oak, and what passed between them is know
to it alone; it was too discreet ever to babbl,
of it, albeit to the garru,ousness of old age
much might have been allowed. Alter h,
had gone, the tree and Mildred were insepa
Bile. The tree dropped gorgeous leaves ting
ed with crimson, gold and green, into Mil
dred's lap, and she made them into garland
which she wore for its sake, aud placed clus
tiers of them about her chamber, 80 that tn,
earliest light of morning might reveal then
TO her. The oak now felt peace and hap
piness it had never known before. Even tn,
burden Of its ancient secret was wel-nigl
forgotten. What need was there to furnis
gold to those who already possessed a super
fluffy? So, with an involuntary sigh tina
after all its hundred years of waiting,it shoul'
be permitted nothing more than to witness
Joy to which it could not contribute, the ven
cradle tree settled down to the prospect of al
uneventful and green old age.
The weeks passed on, and November came
but no Holinshed. The weeks dragged on
and December came; but not Holinshed
Snow lay upon the ground now, aud the win
try gusts stripped great brown leaves fror
the oak trees knotted arms these Mildro
gathered up and put in her bosom, saying /
, herself that her heart was not less sere thai
, they. At last the morning of Christmas ev
arrived. 1t was just hundred years sine
that heavy box had been intrusted to the GA
trees care. Small chance Of its ever seeiD
the light of day again.
Towards evening Mildred threw her cloa
E about her shoulders, and slipped unperceive
out Of the house. The air was still, an
warmer than usual; strange, indeiinabl
moaning came lowering in from the sea
( was evident that great storm was about
: burst upon Cape Ann. Mildred reached tn
( oak tree, and sank down upon the circulG
+. bench which still encompassed it, and gaze
out upon the desolate Atlantic. The branch'
I Of the old tree tried to murmur a word
, sympathy, but only gave forth discordaI
0 croak Mildred's life seemed slipping ava
from her she felt as il she could never ris
1 from that bench.
c But in moment more her ear caught tn
: sound of hurrying step on the road, an
that was all that she was conscious Of unit
D she found herself in her lovers arms. II
: had come back to her, and he was safe. 4
g last, he said in voice whose tremor he cou
t not command -
j. "But, I've come to tell you that am NJ
, what was, my darling. We can build l
Q beautiful villa on the site Of the old eottag