Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-02-09

|
so he invented few stories relative 10 his
career, always taking care that he should
appear in the most favorable OF lights; and
ere the evening bad closed he had so far
succeeded in winning the goodwill Of Su-
san and her friend the cook, who accom-
panied her, that Herr Kiddini was the
| principal subject of conversation between
them throughout the week.
How great was the astonishment Of both
when, a few days aller, thumb-stained
letter arrived for Miss Biflln, inclosing an
"ordel" for two for the upper boxes at the
theatre at which Kiddin was engaged, and
greasy halfsheet OF note-paper, with the
words "Olto Kiddini's compts." scrawled
thereon The receipt Of this courtesy de-
manded that Susan should, with cooks as
sistance, concoct letter Of thanks 10 the
| great Terpsichorean artist. The letter took
some time 10 write, because, as cook re-
marked, it wouldn't "do 10 bc too fOr'ard
| or yet too distant" However, at last the
| happy medium was arrived at aud with
many bushes suflusing her countenance,
Susan dispatched, ria the post-ofllce, her
| first communication TO Herr Kiddini. rho
Mrs. Jubbius that they might spend tie
evening together, because Susan declared
she wouldn't 20 without cook, and the lat
ter wouldn't accept the ticket for herself
and friend on any account whatever. AL
though it was awkward for both TO be out
on the same evening, Mrs. Us consent was
won, and in the brightest Of bonnets aud
warmest Of cloaks the two girls went TO see
TIE panto mime in which Herr Kiddini took
such an active part. Prosperity had not
shed its golden rays upon the theatre Of
late, and there was plenty of "papel" TO he
had so that when Susan and cook took
their seats in the stufly upper boxes and
looked around them, they were no: SO dis
concerted as might have been the case If
money aud not 'orders" had prevailed.
The pantomme was played first that eve
ming, so that the girls were not kept long
upon the ten teri hooks of expectancy. The
"opening" seemed rather long; but there
is an eud TO everything, and at length the
lamps were lowered for the carpenters
scene" which was TO usher in the GlOties Of
the trans formation. The usual beVy OF
fairies appeared suspended in the air, there
flowers, and the usual combination Of col
ored fires. Then Kiddini in his particol-
ored Harlequin dress bounded upon the
Stage, the very perfection OF grace aud agil-
iiy--at least 50 whispered Susan TO cook,
who nodded ailirmatively-a throughout
the Iest OF the performance he was TO them
the only object Of interest The merry sal
lies OF the Clown, the senile observations
Of the Pant aloon, the feats Of the apparent
~ bone less spIites, the red hot poker, aud
the spirited "rally" were in their eyes mere
adjunc is to the dancing OF kiddni, and on
ly goro through in oider that he might
have an interval of rest. Susan envied the
active young person who appeared as Col
umbine, and began to think that dancing
with Herr Kiddini must be the greatest
pleasure life could afford. But just when
the "comic business" seen. ed at its height,
the green baize dropped upon tableau of
which their hero, supporting the Colum-
bine on his knee with one hand, was the
principal figure, and the pantomime was at
an end.
Cook had barely time 10 comment upon
the "loveliness' OF the performance, when
Susan felt gentle tap upon her shoulder,
and looking round, recognized the friend
by whom she bad beeu introduced TO Kid
DIM.
"You amt going To stop for The drama,
are you? Kiddini said he'd sent you or
der, and he gave me one too. 'LiZi'-the
speak er's wIe-"is outside the boxes, and
we're oil, because Kiddini said he'd come
round and have bit Of supper with US.
You'd better come too"
The girls looked at each other, and then
began to compare opinions. 1he friends
house was down news, within a stones
throw of their masters, and as perhaps las
Susan suggesled) the drama might turn
out 10 be stupid thing, they decided 10
leave the theatre with their friend. The
chief inducement with both Susan aud
cook, however, was that there was prob
ability of Kiddni partaking of supper
with them.
Their hops in this respect were not dis
| appointed. The great man arrived at their
friends house almost as soon as they did,
made very heaIly supper, and was more
| agreeable and takaliye than usual. AS If
| by "a preconceIted movement, Susan sud-
| denly found herself alone with the Harle-
| quin, and ere her friends re-entered the
room she had become engaged" to him,
and had promised to become his bride in
the following July, six months hence.
How long Kiddini took TO declare his
| passion is moOt-pont. Susan declared
they were not alone more than five min
utes, and that Otto's con fession burst upon
her like bomb-shell but cook averred
| ihaff na han ha1r
an hour TO settle.
That night Kiddui saw the girls home,
and the sharp ears OF cook detected the
sound Of kiss while she was descending
the area steps, leaving Susan TO follow.
Aller this occasion more "orders" came,
and Susan found frequent opportunity of
meeting Ler Otto, whom, as she confden-
TALLY informed the trusty cook, "she loved
more and more every time she saw him -
at which sympathizing cook would give an
approving smile, and remark, every nat
ural, my dear"
Susan's conscience occasionally snote
her when she recalled her behavior TO
young Perks, the grocer, who, cook said,
"lelt her conduct much, and was reduced
to skelinton !" for the little quarrel which
had separated them had really originated
with her, and though all was over between
them, and she was engaged 10 another, she
could not bear to think that she had caused
him any suffering. She often fancled she
would have liked 10 go round 10 his shop
and confess herself in the wrong, but AFTER
consultation with cook she came to the
conclusion that such course of proceeding
might inspire hopes in the young mans
breast which could never be fulfilled; so