Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-04-28

CodCus
"It was extraordinary"
Papa caught the branch of tree, did
he not ?'
Eyes; and do you remember what
did ?"
"You jumped out just as the coach up
set, and sat on all the horses heads"
And a most uneasy seat it must have
been; and did Uncle Arthur mean your
papa---remain suspended in mid-air ?"
No, he swung into the tree. 1 have
often heard of your climbing exploits, and.
that when you were young you could climb
any tree"
"I have not lost the power" said Uncle
George, stretching himself. "Holloap
"What is the. matter?" said Edith,
startled
Nothing---nothing--- still"
But she followed the direction of his
eyes. The train "a very long one) was
going round a sharp curve, they were in
one of the last carriages, and to her horror
and terror, she saw, about a hundred yards
in front of the train, whole herd of cows
on and off the line---two or three frantically
galloping.
All heads were stretched out of the win
dows, clamoring tongues and even cries re-
sounded from the other carriages, but
neither Edith nor George utter a sound
only she put back her hand and caught
his; he seized it very tightly in the sus-
pense, knowing well that a terrible accident
might be impending. 1t was hardly sec
ond, but it seemed a lifetime. The frantic
cattle rushed off the line in body, all but
one unfortunate beast The guards put on
the very heaviest brakes, but the impetus
was so great that the slackening was hardly
perceptible. 1t may have been fortunate
that it was so, for, instead of upsetting the
train, the COW was tossed off the line utterly
destroyed, and the engine rushed on in
safety.
George and Edith sat down opposite to
each other; both were very pale.
"Thank God p said Edith, and she COW
cred her face with one hand. George did
not speak, but he took off his cap and look
ed out of the window for one minute.
Now | shall give you some sherry" he
said, suddenly. "You are the pluckiest
little brick l ever came across. Any other
girl would have screamed"
81 never scream" said Edith, indignant
ly; "and don't want any sherry"
" ] am your uncle, and say you are to
have some---drink it up"
81 hate wine," she said, giving back the
flask.
"There, good child, to do as you are
told"
At the next station perfect crowd of
passengers was waiting for the up train. A
great tete wss going on in the next town for
the visit of some royal parsonage, and the
train was filled to overtiowing. Presently
the civil guard came up to the special car
riage, and said, most deprecatngly, that
there was one gentleman who couldn't find
place anywhere and as he was only
going to the next station, would they admit
him Just for that twenty minutes? Uncle
George consented very discontentedly, and
very grudgingly moved his long legs to ad-
nit of the entry of very stout old gentle
man, who sat heavily down, and received
into his ample lap a perfect pile of pack
ages and baskets and brace of hares, and
rabbit tied by the legs, which he had
dexterously suspended by string round his
neck.
"Not worth while, indeed, my dear
madam" he said, as Edith began to make
room for his things "Only twenty min
utes.--no inconvenience, assure you"
The heavily weighted train moved off
The old gentleman now began a series of
playful bows which made the hares and
rabbits dance up and down.
at really was too good OF you to admit
an old fogy like me-" he said, blandly
for of course with half an eye / can see
the tender situation"
A deep growl from Uncle George. lie
gave little start and went on to himself:
"Sweet young couple just married, ehw
Edith felt half choked with laug ghter,
but she managed to say convulsively:
will you give me my book, Uncle
George"
The old gentleman started, cooked his
head as a blackbird does when he perceives
4 very fat worm, and muttered:
"Impossiblew
Edith and George were wrapped in their
respective novels. The old gentleman
fidgeted, sighed and arranged his features
into a most sanctimonious expression
There was dead silence till he reached his
station, where he descended. The de-
parture bell was ringing, when his head
suddenly reappeared at the window, the
hares and rabbit streaming wildly from the
back of his neck.
MY children" he said, take my advice
go back to your friends. This "--- A
was going on; and he, being borne along
on the step involuntarily, two stout porters
rushed to the rescue and lifted him off.
Edith and George laughed till the tears
ran down their cheeks"
" | could eat again, with little persua-
sion," said George, presently.
"Why, what o'clock is it."
"Just FIVE, and we shall not get in till
eight thirty. Remember that we had our
luncheon at twelve.
"Very WE'LL" And they proceeded to eat.
The sun had gone down, and the whole
sky was gorgeous with gold and crimson
light, on which great black clouds foated
prophetically.
"What grand sky p said Edith.
Magnificent Nowhere does one see
such clouds as in England"
"Were you very fond of India?"
"Of course | am; my work lies there
my hopes. my future"
Edith looked astonished. 81 should
have thought" she said, "that now you
would be content to rest at home; but ad-
mire you for loving work. Shall you go
out again"
"That depends very much upon circum-
stances. 1t would be great grief to me to
give up my profession"
"It is very odd, but certainly thought
that mamma told me you had given up
your profession"
"she was mistaken" said Uncle George,
shortly.
~ have often longed to go to India,"
cried Edith.
Have you" said George, very eagerly.
ooh, yes, beyond anything; life there
gives everybody chance. | mean, heroic
men and great characters are formed in
India, and men have great responsibilities
and development for quite a different class
of most desirable qualities there"