Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-03-08
AN 1UTUMN ROSE THORNY BU7'
SWEET

II NlN III VIZ lhNttl lNlN VI Nht NuillllltI VI
III that left my peaceful country home and
came up to Philadelphia to enter into sort
of service in the family OF one Mr.. Samuel
Willis-as genteel companion to his daughter,
Miss Elinor-at the handsome wage of fifteen
pounds year. My first view of my new mis-
tress surprised me not little, for had pic
tured in my minds eye young person of my
own -nineteen-whereas | found wo-
man of at least thirty-slX, who, as she arose
from the harpsichord where she had been try
ing a new sonata of Mozart and came slowly
forward TO meet me Il standing abashed and
awkward in the doorway of the drawing-room
where the servant had left me-, held me with
her great brown eyes till l was like to drop
for very shame under her scrutiny. She was
of fine height, with a fair, apple-blossom
complexion, and most beautiful full shape,
to which her green tafTety gown set like wax,
and wore her plentiful brown hair drawn up
to her crown and lightly dashed with powder
"a fashion that, in my opinion, gives n most
incredible dignity and elegance to the carriage
of the head
You are almost too young, child, and
vast deal too pretty" said she. with a rarely
swee. smile but / do not mind that 80
much. for can never abide to look on ill-fa-
vored people. Your letter tells me that you
can play minuet for dancing, and read aloud
without stalnmering but can you broider
neatly in colored silks, knot any of the new
fringes, froth chocolate, and friz and powder
hair on occasion =
was about to reply that could do all these
strangely assorted things indifferently well,
but found myself so confused by her abrupt
manner that | could not utter n word, the
tears gathering in my eyes, to my great NOR
| tiiicaton. She stared at me, her lip curling
a little and said Il dare to say that you will
suit me well enough, child, for | see that you
have gentle disposition" (Alas. what de-
lusion y DO always as bid you, and am
| pleased. Now go away to your chamber with
my woman, and be in readiness to attend me
in the drHwing-roOm at six o'clock; and pray
| let us have no snivelling and boo-hooing for
| / protest I can never abide to look on red
! eyes and noses"
She rang n little bell on the table at her ell
| bow, and her maid, tancifully dressed
| Frenchwoman with her chin in the air, led me
away, feeling much more like serving g-wench
than a genteel companion to person of quail
ity.
| had dwelt but n month or so III Mr. Viii
lis's family when was fought the battle of
Brandywine, where our poor Federals, strug-
| Cling against overpowering numbers, were 50
cruelty routed. From that day until the 18th
of the month when the British entered into
full possession of the town, We lived in state
of ferment and anxiety. Such of the Tory
families-or neutrals, rs they chose to call
themseyes-as as We're left in the place after the
| general prescription dared not make open
demonstrations of JOY, although daily expect
ing the arrival of the troops; but behind
closed shutters success to the kings cause was
drunk and drunk again with high eXultation.
The rejoicing in our family broke forth open.
ly. however, when Lord CORVALLIS. at the
head of his famous grenadiers, rode proudly
up Chestnut street, aud passing our house
sauted Miss Elinor who waved her kerchiei
from the drawing-room window. | thought
of our own poor, ragged, hungry defenders
and went with a sore heart and fallen counte
nance for many day thereafter, to the M
small diversion of old Mr. Willis, who rallied
me, though not unkndly, upon some imagin
ary SUdr& in the American army in tattereC
blanket and with ne'er shoe to his foot.
On the morning after the arrival of th'
British. the old gentleman sailed forth tC
where the artillery was encamped in the State
house square, and returning in an hour or so
came to the drawing-room, where Miss Elmo
and sat at our knitting, calling out in higl
glee, "Elinor, child, guess whom | hav'
found among the officers. An old beau o
thine in London, girl. Come, give me one
guess at least before tell thee Miss seem
ed very little interested. "lnsensible jade :.
cries her father, chuckling comfortably
'uOn I you ISlllblAbtI young 1 lulhlltt Do'
Plumtree? Lord lord! it's well-ngh twent
years ago, and here is my slim, young spri
of fashion blossomed out into fine portl.
gentleman and major in the artillery, III
less.
Miss Elinor arose from her sofa to fetch
hall of thread from the chimncy-piece AM
stood there a minute or two without speak
ing; but | saw the back of her neck tlus
quite red, and she stole her kerchef from he
side pocket and put it to her face. When sh
came to her seat again her face wore start
led look, and her eyes were like diamonds
but she said. quite cooly, II think remen
Der the man, papa. He was
Remember him !" cries the old gentlema
remember him? Should think you did
Iremember how you cried the day you ser
him of with tea in his All oh ahem
The angry flash in his daughters eye warne
him, and he presently betook himself to hi
study above stairs only adding as he Wen
out, II have engaged him to take dish {
tea with us this evening my dear. though
you'd be pleased.
observed that Miss Elinor was unusual
restless all that day she could not conteI
herself at either book or needle, and retire
: to her chamber Immediately after the nooI
day meal. At five the bell rang for her We
man, and attended her toilette, as usual sh
loving to have me read to her during the ted
GUS process of dressing but to-day she di
not listen to a word, and was fain to lay IL
book aside l had never known her so mic
and difficult to please She child the poo
Frenchwoman for the veriest trifes, even g
ing so far as to rap her over the knuckl'
now and again. Once she tore down the NJ
bic structure atop of her head sending
cloud of sweet-savored powder out upon IL
air, and railing the while upon clumsy finger
' though Heaven knows the woman had RAJ
skill in dressing the hair in new fancies. No
, she would consult the minor searchingly, an