Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-03-08

her right mind, but in such condition OF
weakness that she could not move a hand TO
help herself. Great, though subdued, was the
rejoicing in our household; but the doctor en-
joined the utmost care and tender nursing,
for at the least shock, he said, she would melt
from our hands like snow. and be gone al
most before we knew it, She now slept a
great part of the day, but would lie much
awake at night, and sigh 80 piteously that !
knew she was not yet mt peace with herself
/, resting on an easy-chair at the bedside
frequently awoke to find her great brown
eyes wide opened, and regarding me strange
ly but she said never word to me until
more than week after she was come to her
self, when. in the middle of the night, she
stretched her white hand out 10 me, and said
Little Polly. did not dream that there
could be such tenderness and loving-kindness
in woman. / pray that God may reward thee
for what thou hast done for me, for / never
can. ] know"
The tears flowed over her thin cheeks (she
was so weak aud she looked so sweet and
helpless in her humility, that was moved to
lean down and kiss her. Polly" says she,
looking up at me, 'nO woman ever kissed Inc
before in the whole course of my life that l
can remember | have never had any but
hirelings about me since my birth, when my
sweet mother died and an old slave woman
took her place"
Doubtless, madam, said /, quite touched,
''she gave you many kiss that you took no
note Of"
"Mayhnp." she makes answer, thoughtful
ly, 'only do not remember any. My dear
father hath had the care of my upbring-
ing, and | never before felt the need of wo-
men to love me. l have been hard and sell
ish-yes, wrapped up in selishness but
now ] see what have missed. 1t hath given
V..a ,snh F,..N a.. L.. H..
while have lain here thinking through the
weary nights of how long might yet be left
to live and wondering how it might be in the
other world; 'tis lonely thing to contem-
plate in the dead of night. Polly-that long,
silent journey"
l had never known the sweet creature to
talk so seriously before. and was afraid that
she was growing worse but she presently
began to smile-oh, such weak, wintry
smile and IA little color came into her cheeks
as she said, IF had any wholesome blood in
my body, child, / should blush. for | am
thinking of the night that l was stricken
down, and Of my perverse humors / have
not forgot that I pushed away the nice
drink -"
Nay. never think Of it, madam" said
lit was doubtless the fever in your head"
1T was doubtless the evil in my heart.
child, she makes answer "A sick bed is O
marvellous opportune place for reflection,
Polly and although l know tho weakness of
my temper too well to make any rash resolves,
| am truly thankful that God is going to let
me live, for now ! shall see for myself of what
sort of stuff | am made"
A week or two after this conversation, and
on a lovely warm April morning, the sovnd of
martial music in the street aroused Miss
Elinors interest and she would be seated
wrapped in her quilted negligee, at the open
window.
1T is the artillery moving down to the
wharf. madam" said l. to prepare her for the
sight of Major Plumtree, who, may as well
state here, had now ceased his visits to our
house. They are to cross into the Jerseys
to-day, and it is generally thought that the
town will soon be entirely empted of the
British troops"
She paled and redeemed alternately, but
held her ground Mt the window until the APP
pearance of the well-known figure on the fine
black horse, when She shrauk behind the cur
tains where she could neither nor be seen.
number of negro servants, always abroad
on such occasions, were clustered on the side
walk beneath the windows, and chattered idly
as the procession passed
''Dar goes Major Plumtree-I knows i'm ~
cried one of them. Spec he's comm back
to marry our Miss Betsey when de war is
over"
Yes, and spec Miss Betsey mighty glad to
git our missy's leavin's, too, said one of our
own pert negro lads
''Leavins. Who is you talkin' to, niger
Miss Betsey allows dat your missy amt nothin
but disappointed ole maid nohow, and tried
hard fur Retch de major, only she couldn't
come it"
Poor Miss Elinor If ever woman was
sorely punished for her sins. my dear lady
was the sufferer now, her proud name tossed
about ON the tongues Of servants, and linked,
too, with that of woman whom she was used
to regard as the very dust beneath her feet
She made no sign, beyond smelling at her re-
yiying salts for a minute or two and present
ly moved away from the window. observing
that the air grew chilly.
In the forepart of June our household was
removed TO New York Many Tory families
had already taken up their residence in that
town, not daring to remain i'll Philadelphia
after the departure Of the British, and the first
person | met in the streets on walking abroad
was Miss Betsey Macpherson, sailing along in
an enormous stiffened gown, and followed by
a black boy bearing numerous parcels-fnery,
doubtless, that she had purchased in the New
York shops.
Pray how is Miss Willis 2" says she, gra-
ciously, although was loath to stop. II hear
that she is sadly gone of in her looks since
her fever, poor thing and suppose she has
lost her hair tco:"
Not at all, maam," said l, feeling quite
provoked Mt her malice ''her hair is as thick
and glossy as ever and as for her looks, ill
ness has only served to add delicacy to her
| beauty, which as you know, was never of the
milkmnid order" And l could not forbear
staring hard at Miss Betsey's red.mottled
cheeks as | courtesied respectfully, though
well aware that was doing petty thing in
| answering fool according to his folly.
On the 2Sth of the month General Washing
ton attacked General Clintons forces at Mon
mouth Courthouse, and although neither
side could claim victory, the British un-
| doubtedly sustained the more serious loss.
We soon heard that Major Plumtrees compa-
ny had been engaged and badly cut up, but
could hear nothing of that gentleman himself
until more than n week after the action, when
the negroes brought in the sad news that he
had arrived in town, with his arm torn by @
bullet, and was making his quarters at a cof
| fee-house not far from our own place of resi-
| dence. Old Mr.. Willis, on hearing this, or
| dered his hat and cane to be fetched instantly
but Miss Elinor advised that the matter be
further inquired into, us she was inclined Il
the opinion that the negroes had exaggerated
the story, if, indeed, there were any truth il
| it to begin with. The old gentleman, who
| hau become redlll htthchtu 10 iue MAYOR, hnC
was now in genuine distress concerning him
only darted an angry look at my poor lady
and muttering something that sounded very
like ''hcartless slut" under his breath, set ou
as fast as his age would permit, stumping hii
cane all the way along the street, was hi
wont when much rufled When he can't
back, he seemed much cast down, and seated
himself in his elbow chair without word
keeping silence, indeed, for so long tint
that Miss Elinor was at last fain to beg hum
bly, for news of the major.
THE bullet wound is bad enough, " said tn,
old gentleman, shaking his head" but tn
poor fellow is hurt otherwise He says tina
he has wound of some sort that all the sur
geons in Christendom can never cure ant
for my own part doubt he is long for thi
world, he is so Respondent in his spirits H
would have told me more, but the landlad
came in with his dinner, "A mess of stewe'
,aua ~ 10 t,rn tba OF of a horea and