Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-06-21

| girl must be plain indeed not to look pretty
in the picturesque framework of an old gar
| den, ivy-hung and bosky, with glints of sun
| shine and duslSs Of shadow. Erasmus watched
her fit in and out and to and fro, her veil of
haxen hair blown in the wind. her plant fig
urse in its plain black frock looking slender
as "A fairys, and presently, to his surprise he
found himself in love with Hilda lie had
/ not meant it, but how could il be helped A
! young mans fancy is easily caught, and most
| easily of all when, as in this case, he is lying
on his oars for while, and has not much to
| do.
Had IIda noticed him2 lie could not
tell. She had never given look, so far rs he
could detect, in his direction, nor had her sis
ters. But good deal can he seen without
| looking, and it is so little in course of human
nature that seven girls, with fourteen eyes be-
tween them should not see young man who
sits at II window and gazcs out at them all
dry, with only fence between, that l am in
clned to think they did
Meanwhile, though he knew their names
and was familiar with their habits, Erasmus
had never exchanged n word with his new
neighbors. II was not from want of inclina-
ton; but he was IA modest fellow, and truly
he did not know how to begin. Pastor LGbke
was n "strct" father. "l}e sober, be vigi-
liant was his motto. He had no sympathy
NlNil Nllt lltNblltth VI luulllt uulOllB NuAHu
frivnlities. it was rumorcd, young men We're
| ,onspicuou~ly included Erasmus studied
his stern, placid face from behind the blind,
and saw nothing to encourage him there.
And 50, while thus his hopes belied his
fears, his fears his hopes belcd.' the days
went on. He made no progress and might
have made none for II much longer time. had
not Fate taken pity and sent her messenger
to assist matters. That messenger was-a
! monkey
The monkey nppertancd to hand-organ,
and the man who ground the organ-and the
monkey also it is TO be feared sent him in
to levy the customary back-mail on the
Lilbke sisters, who, sitting on the doorstep.
in the pear-tree shade, were knitting stock
lngs OF the blue yarn spun by sisters
wheel The sudden apparition Of the dimin-
utive messenger in his red coat and cooked
hat, startled the simple family. whose lives
heretofore had included few monkeys. They
jumped up, screamed: Iiilda dropped her
thimble Bena and Namul cung to each 9TH
er even Sister lost her presence of mind
for moment. The monkey, emboldened by
their evident fear, danced. chatt,red and
suddenly pouncing on IIilda's thimble ran
across the garden with il in his paws. Hilda
pursued, but the monkey ran fastest, and,
scaling the wall with the greatest agility,
would have got of with his prize, had not
Erasmus, who had realized the situation and
hurried TO the rescue, caught him as he
reached the top and held him tight.
what shall do with him" he asked.
grasping the screaming biting prisoner firmly
Don't hurt him oh. don't hurt him -
said Hilda. IT'S only my thimblc If you
could only get that away from him. lie stole
IT, so | ran after him."
Here it is, said Erasmus and handing
bar tl, tbi,,,1Ia Ia. IL
with an unseen kick to its owner
"Oh, thank you replied Hilda, shyly
She walked away as soon as she said it, and
did not look to see whether Erasmus went
or staid but all the same he felt joyful
sense that the ice was broken
And SO it was for common gratitude COM
PEELED llilda into recognition after that, and
forced her to bow in return for the low bend
and raised hat with which Erasmus met her
Even father would say that | must" was
her secret reflection. Common politeness
made her linger to exchange n few civil words
when this obhging neighbor leaned over the
fence to admire the garden or the sunset
Gradually, rs her shyness wore away, these
lingerings grew longer. Now and again she
ventured to raise her eyes. and Erasmus met
their full blue gaze. These fragmentary in
terviews held food of thought for long hours
Every movement, every syllable was dwelt up
on and dreamed over Little rs had been
said, it seemed that they had said much and
there was always the delightful uncertainty at
what moment she might drift to that side of
the garden again, might glance upward
might speak. Time seemed made up Of Hill
da nothing else was worth considering and
yet the sum Of these important conversations,
had all his words and all her words been
written down, could easily have been con-
dcnsed ON half a sheet of note paper OF
such stuff are lovers made!
Sundays became noteworthy days Just then
to Erasmus. He had fallen into careless
habits about church going, but now morning
and afternoon and evening found him in de-
yout Attendance at the Moravian chapel
where, armed with ponderous hymn book,
he sat and studied the back of Hidns hat and
shawl Hilda who never turned her head
His seat had he known, occupied the precise
spot where, in days gone by Madame Wes-
son had been wont to sit for long hours every
evening, and play Patience" with her gen
ernl. Dear me ! what energies of patience it
required for Erasmus to keep still, while Pas
tor LuGke slowly plodded through his fourth
lies and tifthlies his predicates and deduc-
tions, and Hilda never turned her head But
n lover will endure much. No trace Of his
inward impotence was suffered to mar his
outward quietude, and he won golden opm-
lbilH llblll Ailt blAl lhNllth bl lllt
who pronounced him a most sober and godly
young man. Erasmus hoped that the echo of
this tlattering opinion might reach Hilda's
father and soften his heart: but such did not
seem to be the case. Even when he sought
out the pastor to consult him on u disputed
point of theology, it did no apparent good
Papa Lhbke listened, replied, confuted him
ON all sides and dismissed him grimly and
triumphantly, his cause not advanced one
inch. All his little ingratiating ways seemed
thrown away The pastor, wise as the ser
pent, however harmless he might be, refused
to be ingratiated, and Erasmus felt himself
foiled.
Grown desperate Mt last, he ventured on a
bold step.
Il wish l could make your sisters ac-
quamtance," " he said to Hilda over the fence
do you think might call upon them some
EVENING""
"Oh no! please don't" responded Hilda.
frankly. Then colOring deeply, she added
Don't think me rude. You are very kind to
wish TO come, but my father would not like
it. He docs not want us to make acquaint-
ance with strangers. We never visit any
where, and nobody ever visits u.s."
But that is dreadful broke in Erasmus
why shouldn't you know people? You
ought to know people, and they ought to
know you. You're too sweet-all of you, |
mean-to be cooped in so. It's outrageous
It's cruel! It's doing the world an injustice
l never heard of such thing"
"Oh, don't talk like that, please don't"
cried llilda. And must say goodnight
indeed l must; = and away she ran. Eras-
mus watched her 60 with rage in his heart
Il declare" he groaned, ''shes like girl
in fairy tale, held fast by some old witch so
that no one can get at her" He went to bed
that night quite own-hearted. But next day,
his courage restored, he again attacked Hilda,
as she accidentally stmyed in the twilight
toward the spot where he stood leaning over
the fence.
Il say, Miss Hilda," audaciously, 'I've
been thinking over what you said last night
and I'm certain you must be mistaken. About
your father, l mean. He's too wise n man-
I'm sure he is-to want to shut you all up
forever, and keep you from making friends.
Why, how could YOU do ANYTHING if he did