Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-09-18
Harvest Apples.

and looked out into the dusty street.
was working-woman in the city Of
New York. Whether | trimmed bonnets
for Madame La Mode, measured off lace'
for Mademoiselle, her daughter, kept books,
read proofs, set type, or even wrote editori-
ais for the Starry Host, is matter OF no con-
sequence. Suffice it to say, was tired. In
my dreams | babbled Of green fields"
longed for one long summer of freedom and
rest. But where should go2 Like Joanna
wanted nature, not men and
women.
AT length bethought me of a distant
cousin, Hiram Gardner by name, who lived
in low, brown farmhouse away up among
the Green Mountains and forthwith | wrote
to him, asking if he would receive me as
boarder for three months. This letter was
the answer:
"Come right along, Cousin Winifred," he
wrote, and stay as long as you can make
yourself contented. Not as boarder, though.
Thank God, am not so poor as to feel
obliged to take money from my own kith
and kin for few weeks board and lodging
My wife and Hope will be glad to see you"
So, in furry of delight, packed my
trunk, telegraphed to Cousin Hiram, and in
two days time stood on the platform Of the
depot at Highland watching the receding
train as it thundered down the valley.
As for Hope-little Hope Gardner-what
shall tell you about her? / had my own
ideas about country girls; thought of
sunburn and freckles, coarse hands and un-
calmly feet in that connection. But one
glance at Hope, as she stood in the flicker
ing shadows of the great elm that overhung
the low, wide, roomy house overthrew all
tl..4
of the very tint of the violets loved hair
that, guiltless of crimping-pins, fell in great
golden waves below her waist, and there
coiled itself up in a profusion of tiny curls !;
brow so fair that you saw the network of
tinted with wild rose bloom; face of
delicate oval, redeemed from gentle insipid-
ity by the sweet firmness of the wel-cut
lips, and by eyebrows and lashes many
shades darker than the hair; slight girlish
would have passed nnchallenged anywhere
as Cousin Hiram's pair of handsome grays
swept round the corner, and Hope came for
ward to meet me.
Before many weeks had passed began
to discover the trail of the serpent in my
newly fonnd Eden. | had thought nv
Cousin Hiram one of the most favored Of
mortals; but Mordecai sat at the kings
gate and the soul of Haman was troubled.
Ii was the old. old story--older than the
days of the Nlontaques and Capulets-al-
most as old as the days of Adam and Eve.
There had been first ambitions and rival
ries. then harsh words and bitter recrimina-
tions. hatred and revenges. Now all had
settled down into deem and silent enmity.
Hiram Gardner and Thomas Remington
lived upon adjoining farms. could have
clasped hands across the narrow aisle as
thew sat in their news on Sunday met
each other daily in the streets. the most.
office in the market.place But thew never
smoke never recognized each other nv glance
or SIGN. Yet thew were both good men
men who should have loved each other.
Perhaps deep down in either heart there
was a regret for the past. a longing for
reconciliation. Perhaps if either one had
been unfortunate or in distress. the other
might have been willing to be the first tc
burv the hatcbet and smoke the calumet O,
peace. But both were prosperous, both were
honored. and the demon of pride kent them
apart. ruling their natures as with rod.
T tbink nv coming IN HIGHLAND was n
nlaasure Ia Hone. Periaps Ii i1bruught som,
element into her ouiet life that was needed
there. But after the first excitement of my
arrival had died away and / had insensibly
glided from the position of guest into tha
of member of the family, began to perceiv,
that all was not well with her. There wa.
at times a look of pain and longing in he
eyes. There were dropping curves about he
| sweet Inns even when she smiled. There wa!
| n nervons unrest about her as she flew from
employment to employment as if to escape
| thought. I noticed that when these mood
we're upon her her mother watched her fur
tiyely and her fathers brow darkenec
strangely. Yet his manner toward her wa
inexnressiblv tender. She was. indeed. tn
very annie Of his eye-this Hope " that ha,
been horn TO him after all his other children
had been laid under the sod.
al shall not 90 to church to-day" sal
Cousin Hiram. al sprained nv wrist We.
terdav. and II is growing yery painful."
"Iet ms walk then. Cousin Wipifred,
said Hone her ewes Frightening. awe ca
90 across lots and il shortens the distanc
bv half"
The minister was reading the first hym
when a low. ouick tread sounded up til
aisle. Even before / had time to think
felt snddep shiver in the arm that la
AGAINST mine and saw The hand that hel
one.balf of the hvmn-book tremble. A r.
markahlv fne-lookinp Young man passed /
and tool a seat in the new inst in front {
ns. on the other side of the aisle. 1t W,
MI. Remington's pew.
Impelled by know not what subtle il
stinct of womanlv sympathy. [ glanced
Hope from behind nv veil, expecting to S,
nreciselv what | did see-eyideuces of SUI
den and profound emotion. A quick pail,
drove all the color from her face for an i
stant. then the rich blood swept back agai
and her cbeeks orew crimson.
She scarcely glanced at the new-come
, but kent her ewes fixed upon old DIR. Merri
apparently absorbed in his thirdlies al
fonrthlies, As soon as the benediction w
pronounced. however, she took nv arm hs
! tily and pressed forward toward the door
3 IL she was anxious to escape from al
=, one, to elude any one, her design was d
/ feated. There was crowd near the doc
a and our progress was obstructed. As '
S waited in the porch, felt presence behil
t us, and a low voice that could scarcely ha
}, reached less sensitive ears whispered
i "Look at me, Hope Speak to me Gi
e me one word, for Gods sake"
\ She clung to my arm with a close elias
5 trembling like leaf. For an instant Ii
S face grew radiant as she lifted her eyes
|, meet the passionate glances that sought b
o own so eagerly. But she spoke no wol
e He leaned forward with another whisI
upon his lips. Suddenly she turned with
air of decision.
"Cousin Winifred Ethrdge this
Mr.. Willard Remington"