Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-03-02
For tho VERMONT FARMER.
UNDER THE SNOW.
by FANNIE. F"

Travelled at best, but now almost unused.
The early SHOWS had been filling the fences,
so that hardly rail was visible, aud it was
but slowly that the jaded horse toiled on,
even when urged by the combined persuasion
Of the stout whip and vociferous tongue of
the driver A cutting north wind which
was almost freezing, and few feathery fakes
gave indications that another foot Of snow
might be expected, for rarely do our Yer
mont winters disappoint us Of our
six feet of covering for Mother Earth. Soon
the traveller neared the base of an almost
perpendicular cliff whose high-pointed top
gave it the name Of the peak, !" for none Of
the neighboring hills we're Of the same shape.
Near the southern base Of the peak, built
snugly, as if for protestion from all harm,
stood James organs small cottage; and it
was with glad neigh that Hi tty, the horse,
caught the bright light in the window. BE.
fore we quite reach the door, let me beg you
to excuse me from trying to initiate the rich
brogue the good people we're so we'll versed
in, by your leave Ill slave yees to picthur
it yersilf." Willie, the eldest Of the six
children, manly lad of twelve, camo out to
assist his father to unload the precious freight
of provisions and comforts, brought from the
village five miles away.
"Give Kitty an extra quart of oats, lad"
said Bryan as he carried the half barrel Of
-four into the house. all BIO wanting her
again in an hour"
Tidy and smiling his wife met him at the
door. you're not bit late, JAMIE" said
she "with the moon full / did not expect
you for an hour yet. And how is the mar
ket 2"
10, it is that good Mary, that your TIVE
tubs Of butter and the eggs bought me the
-four and the beef, not forgetting dress for
you aud the girls. And what hurried me
home so early. wife, met Johnny Murphy
at the village and he babe me bring you
down tonight. saying Cousin Kate is there
for visit, and his wife is wanting much to
see you and the long winter coming on"
"But won't Kitty be tiredl And the chill
dren, Jamie?"
"a mile and a half is soon over, and Will
aud Maggie can take care of the others"
"But Katie; Kate will want to see her :;
looking lovingly at the two-year-Old baby
Kate, and smoothing back the light hair Of
the little one, and thinking how pretty her
big blue eyes we're.
"It's cold night Mary, and she's best at
home; I'd not go tonight at all but We are
sure to have more snow You'll have to
wrap up well, and we'll away as soon as we
have had our supper"
Ten-year old Maggie brought the savory
Irish stew steaming from the hearth, anC
followed it with the ito me) unsavory mea
pudding know they relshed it exceed
iogly, and poor souls, | am quite willing
they should. Perhaps l, a well-fed Yanke'
girl, was over.nice, but will give you thc
cause Of my adversion to that particular styl
of pudding that you may judge The frs
sight of Katic's blue eyes left me bcwitche'
to see the little beauty again, and as a mat
ter Of course determined to do so. VIVA
we're a couple of miles Of "cross lots" wit
Katie at the further end Of it for q stron
} child of nine? One day | made the ventur
successfully, and had delightful time, play
ing with that blessed baby to my hearts con
tent, enjoyed the novelty Of a swing in tn
cellar with Maggie, and Toasted my eyes 0
genuine wax doll in the attic which, | wa
told with great reverence, "came over in th
big ship from dear old Ireland" | went t
J little barn to see the famous great hens tina
so often laid "double.yolked" eggs, and wa
" modO generally familiar with the premises
, Then was invited to partake of their war;
f hearted hospitality. Maggie impaired in
whisper the secret beforehand, "that mothC
had made splendid pudding" and so l wi
prepared after the first course Of potato
D and milk, to see brought on a large platt'
|. of pudding aanked by dish of molasses.
n was helped to generous supply Of bot
Now, the blacklist of "sae" moAsses W
. pretty hard l thought mentally contrastiI
it with our own clear maple syrup at HON
. but | vowed to endure it for the pudding
sake. Boldly attacked the suspicious
odored compound, courageously l swallow
r, the FIRST morsel. How we'll l rememb er |
r, anxious look of concern that came ov er
G good woman's face as drew back "Wh
q is the matter child l am afraid you O
sick" And quite sh AIRED the good sou
lie solicitude, for that pudding was made
If thick sour milk instead of water, without
m particle of Fanny Ferns" abominati
saleratus, for a redeeming feature. Pc
little Mrs. Bryan's cap frill fairly Autter
u with CONSERVATION when repeatedly refus
US more of her favOrite dish. What digressi
a | have made l really didn't intend it, n
or ther did intend new recipe for the Fan
r. Err; only fell to thinking, and as that lii
" household is long ago scattered, think tn
~ is no danger Of their finding out iohy did
"a eat my dinner that day. l wouldn't HI
as had my little hostess suspect the rea
he | G.. A. ..arld