St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-02-16

cred our roof with its glory, and hung
in festoons of beauty from the balus-
trade over the portico, about the walls,
and shed over all the emerald light
which made our carriage drive dim at
MONDAY, she could not have surprised
me more than the magic of her taste
and skill did now. 1t was a dainty
little feast, with flowers and vines in
profusion about the room. Crecy stood
by in dumb amazement and delight
watching Therese, who was bringing
to order a wayward myrtle branch
which depended from tall vase in the
centre of the table. Her face flushed
as she saw my look of surprise and
pleasure, and in reply to my exclama
ton, ''Oh, how lovely how perfect !"
she only said, quietly, 'FIt was very lit
tie to do for you, Madame"
To my friends confided my interest
in Therese, and wished, oh, how vainly I!
that [ could retain always in my service
the skill and taste of this admirable
cook. But l knew my English hus-
bands principles too we'll to think of
persuading him to purchase her. so l
only listened to her praises with sigh
for the change my dining-room would
suffer with any other person controlling
its interests.
AS for teaching Louis or Crecy, |
know she would willingly undertake it
| if | requested it. But her art is not
transferable her taste amounts to an
inspiration. No teaching could have
produced the artistic effect you see in
this room. Well, / must make the best
l can of her, and-do my best for her.
| saw Mr.. Scranton as soon as pOssi-
BILE. Avoiding all reference to his wife
and Therese's troubles with her, | in
quired if it would not be possible to
keep mother and children together. |
felt at liberty to do this, because his in
tentiOn to sell was becoming known,
and some in town, who were aware of
the wOman's skill, were considering
whether they could not secure such in
valuable services. He began at once to
tell me of the wOman's conduct toward
Mrs. Scranton, and how only that morn
ing on which he last saw her she had
uttered under breath fresh threats
against his wife.
"She was not responsible person,
her whole nature tortured by the pros
pect of separation from her children"
81 don't want her to stay in this part
of the country" said Mr.. Scranton, ''and
| can not persuade my wife to give up
the children. She says such fierce
tempered creature will be their ruin,
and for their sakes, if not for other rea-
sons, they ought to be parted. They
are very promising children"
As delicately as | could, taking all
care to avoid rejecting on Mrs. Scran-
ton, gave him my opinion of Therese.
81 have proved her honesty, tested
her honor, and ! am sure that when she
thinks she deserves as Il capable, not to
say gifted, human being wheh she feels
trusted and caredfor she is not only
tame and submissive but devoted and
exerts herself to the utmost to give sat
isfaction. When reused, especially
through her children, she is lioness
for wrath, and yet through her children
she might be almost regenerated. Pray
make no definite arrangement yet fol
her sale. feel sure something will oc-
cur in her behalf.n
81 am afraid you do not know The,
rese yet )" and so we parted. As / ap-
preached the house | shortened the
walk by going into the lane which leC
to the kitchen. 1t was bordered by
hedges of the luxuriant Cherokee rose
and Overhung by tall pride or Indias
now in full foliage. The lane ended il
an open space near the house, where
the hedge, rounding greenly," made
room for the well-hOuse which stood OIL
a green bank where the sward was al
ways rich and soft and very pleasant tt
: Northern eyes.
On this bank was now seated the wO
man Therese with Ettie in her lap
while PHILIPPE was running and jump
ing at them to amuse the little girl
who was shouting with laughter. TIL,
5 gay head-ha ldkerchief, always worl
= in the kitchen, was laid aside and tn,
: imperial head was only graced by ;
shining coil of rich wavy hair. Th,
contour and attitude would have mad,
a study for an artist. | stood a mo
ment unseen, watching them. Their,
was the refinement in the mother
, manner of sporting with her children
; which we consider the result of birth D
/ breeding. | marked the well-formed
taper hands, the elegant curve of he
arms, and noted her rich, musical vOic,
, as she caressed her children with prett,
French phrases uttered half uncOn
sciously. | could not believe that al
| that fascinated me in this scene wa
} subject to the possibilities of slavery
t and might be dispelled by its tyranny
| stood still and prayed, God know
how fervently, that He would interpos,
: and save the mother and the children
from the terrible fate which seemed t.
await them.
4 AS passed the group Therese aros
g with respectful salutation and the in
quiry, ''Shall 1 send in tea, Madame ?
: "Yes; | will take it in my dressing
= room, however, for | am too tired to G,
S to the dining-room. This will be m
e last evening alone, Therese. To-mOI
e row my husband will be with me-"
2 The color forsOOk her face, and tn
e light went out of her eyes, as the word
d too surely reminded her of one VIII
Y would not come back to her. The yer
e currents of her being seemed checke
f; for a moment; then she said, simply,
II II am glad for Madame that her has
: band will be with her again ;" and sh
j followed me to the house, leading
}. child by each hand.
: Delicious spring flew by. In tn
C wealth of its flowers and under the blu
a of its skies Eden seemed renewed o
d earth, and looked about vaguely, feal
y ing that some tempting fruit might bt
|, guile me into evil. But the temple
a was not so visible, though, doubtless
= he was busy enough weaving his spell
1t even there. The happy are seldom o
n guard, and l almost forgot that ws
N mortal under the witcheries of I'll
o beauty around me. June growing fe
h vid recalled me to my summer plan
d and by July we started for the Spring
e Old Madison then in all the nloru of /