Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-01-05
BRATTLEBORO, VT. FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1877.

!
He actually banged the gate Of the gar
den Of roses but his anger, which was up
TO "butter melts" at least, fell 10 Zero"
wheu he entered the pretty parlor. There
sat the old l. aid, in low rockiug-chalr,
idly swaying to aNd fro, dressed 10 a loose
flowing white wrapper, without ruffle or
puff, with a golden hearted daisy in her
hair and another at her throat, and by her
side stood the lean, lank cat with a squal-
ling kitten hanging from its mouth. "Poor
Mary Annp she was saying "but where,
oh, where are the other" when she raised
her kind eyes and met the not al all irate
gaze Of the old bachelor. "Glad to see you
again, Mr.. Guernsey" she said, in her
frank voice, rising and holding out ber
hand. "Mother Is much better, thank you"
in answer TO some rather indistinct que
ry on the subject. "Run away with your
kittie"-to the cat. "Not very handsome
cat, is she, Mr.. Guernsey Poor thlngi
she came 10 our door one cruel cold night
last winter, half starved, and with tho tips
OF her poor ears frozen off, took her in,
warmed and fed her, and she wouldn't go
away again. To tell the truth, I didn't try
very bard 10 make her and couldn't
bear 10 desert her, when we came here,
any more than I could WaiL He and
she, odd as II may seem, are very fond Of
each other. But one bad habit can't
break her Of, or haven't as yet-a result of
her early vagabond life In The streets she
steals" Then suddenly noticing a queer
expression on the face OF her listener she
continued eagerly, 81 hope she she hasn't
been annoying you In any way"
Straight into those still child-like eyes
did Miles Guernsey look, and say deliber-
ately, "Oh. no, not at all. I came 10 ask If
you-lhat Is" (growing little incoherent),
"your mother-of course I mean both OF
you-would like a fresh cucumber or two
and some green pease" with flush OF
pride); "rm ahead OF all the neighbors."
He meant the pease were.
"a thousand thanks" said Miss Osborne.
mine hundred and ninety -nino TOO ma
n.y." said Miles, actually smiling at her
"Good-dsy" And when he re-appeaied
in the study, hc had daisy in his button
hole.
Mike came out OF the dining room, where
he had been soothing the canary with a
crisp lettuce leaf "Well, Surf" said he.
Hang the birds cage where the cat can't
reach it, lock up the chops after this, and
drown thirteen OF the Kittens" said Mr..
Guernsey quietly.
"Mad, Is ii 2" Mike soliloqnized. Hes
madder nor finy hatters."
"Good heavens phdt man in bis sober
Senses" Miles Guernsey asked himself,
"Vouid hurt a frozen. cared edtF''
Summer passed away, carrying with her
the fragrant roses and thousands Of other
beautiful flowers; autumn. In richly tinted
ruslling garments. gathered The gold and
brown and crimson leaves 10 her bosom,
and bade The earth farewell winter came
and flung downy snow-hakes upon and
hung glittering icicles from The roofs OF
the cottages and the naked branches OF the
trees-and the neigbbors had only met
dozen times. But in that dozen times
Miles Guernsey had managed to learn
principally from The old lady, a delicate,
sweet faced woman, from whom the daugi-
ter Inherited her pleasant eyes) that the
picture OF tho handsome young man in the
parlor was the portrait Of Rosa's lover,
who bad died filleen years before In for
eign land, where behad gone for his health.
"Ros1 was well-nigh broken hearted at
first" said the old lady /; "but time has
softened her grief, and now she eau speak
Of hip as calmly as she can OF the darling
little sister who died when she was a child"
From the same source he learned that Ro-
sa's father had been a speculator, unlucky
In all his speculatlons. and that when, his
last great disappointment breaking his
heart, he departed this life, there was very
little left FOR his widow aud childrel.
"Robert, my only son." said the old lady,
"helps us all he can but lately he has
married a sweet girl, wio has patiently
waited for him five- long years, and now
Rosa and l will have TO live more econom-
ically than ever, if that be possible. But,
dear me, how I do run on, and how Rosa
would scold me ir she knew it I but you
are so kind and sympathetic, Mr.. Guern-
sey, that, short as our acquaintance has
been, almost regard you as one OF the
family. Rosa, my dear, should like Mr..
Guernsey TO hear that new song your broth
er sent you last week."
"And would Mr. Guernsey like TO hear
III" Rosa asks.
"How can you ask me5" says the old
bachelor. II am dtiOdys pleased to hear
you sing" BY which remark you will per-
ceive he had become entirely reconciled
TO the guitar.
1t was the evening Of Christmas-day.
Miles Guernsey sat alone in his parlor,
thought on his brow and a pipe in his
mouth, when Mike entered with dainty
rose. .periumed three-cornered note.
"From the ovid maid, Sur" said he.
"Mlss Osborne, you mean," said his
master, siernly. Don't call her an old
maid again."
"Would MIR. Guernsey"-so the noie ian
-"give Mrs. and Miss Osborne The pleas
ure OF his company this Christmas eve.
ningf Brother Robert and his wife have
come down from The city, and there would
be little music, a little supper, and
whist"
"Wait, and I'll write an answer" said
Mr.. Guernsey. And while Mike waited,
he began 10 talk again. "Shure ye heard
the news, Surf tie village is full of it.
They say she oughtn't done II that it's
incuuragin' wickedness an"
" WHO the dickers are you talking aboutf"
asked bis master, turning impatiently
around, pen in hand.
"The owld-I mean Miss Osborne, Sur"
answered Nike.
"And pray Vhat shouldn't she have
doneR"
"Taken Bessie Vests baby, Sur"
"Taken Bessie Vests babyH Go on this
moment Mike. or I'll brain you with the
poker"
UWell Won sec SnrU Mike Tins admon