Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-04-12

to room in a ghostly fashion, with the
portraits of father and mother in the
shadow of the best parlor, and Harry's
dog following me with dumb intelligence
to thrust his nose into my hand ; five
years of mourning, of silence, that left
me plain little old maid, my hair turned
grayl Then Annie, happy wife and
mother, school-mate and friend of many
years, had written to me O long letter
from her home at Leghorn, where her
husband was engaged in business, urg-
ing me to come abroad. l saw my future
clearly enough. In this genial house
hold l should be companion, friend, old
maid aunt to the children. / sighed.
Just then the merchant whose wares
were displayed in one corner of the tent
--tortoise-shell, coral, and sienna-wood
trinkets-begged me to take chance in
his lottery. I took the box, and turned
out the dice on the board, having paid
a franc. The merchant counted up the
numbers, and found the corresponding
one in his stock of prizes represented by
set of coral, resembling sticks of red
sealing-wax. Somebody approached and
watched the drawing. l recognized the
long sandy beard of the intruder of my
bath, but gave a little Jump when 1
further discovered that he wore the uni
form of an American naval officer. The
merchant Immediately pounced on him.
Almost unconsciously the stranger of
the sandy beard appealed to me in En-
glish for explanation, as he did not un-
derstand italian. The next moment he
held in his hand very pretty shell
comb for lady's hair as prize.
Madam, do you think this would
please-a woman ?" he enquired scrutin-
izing it.
Undoubtedly" 1 Ireplied, camly. 1
had taken him under my protection as
one of Harry's friends.
His face flushed, and quizzical smile
lighted up his keen eyes. "I mean a
lady-home-in America. You are an
American %
eyes," I said, at my ease; for he was
not thinking of me at all. 1 was even
half tempted to ask him if he had known
my poor Harry.
"Thank you," he said, with sudden
stiffness, and raising his cap, walked
away.
Another hour passed swiftly while I
gazed out over the sea from the tent;
then the heat of the sun warned me to
return. En- route remembered tri-
fling commission at the milliner's. En-
tering the shop, the first object present
ed to my notice was the tall officer with
the sandy beard, beset by two clerks,
and surrounded by piles of leghorn hats
The poor mans aspect was most bewil-
dered and helpless in that sea of straw
1 executed my commission quietly, and
was about to leave, when he accosted
me.
"Would you have the kindness to
give me your advice ?" he said. 81 wish
to make present of a Leghorn hat to a
lady in America, and it must be of the
best quality
Thus appealed to, I sifted out the
finest straw for his inspection. "Leg-
horn hats are all made in the Florence
manufactures, you know" said.
He made no response; he was staring
at my hands with very peculiar express
sion. blushed slightly, and hid them
in the crown of the Leghorn hat. They
were very small and well shaped; I had
trouble with my gloves usually, wearing
child's size. Brother Harry used to
admire their tiny proportions, and ac-
cuse me of vanity in the possession of
such extremities. Here was this tall
officer in foreign city actually pausing
in the midst of buying gift for an un-
known lady-probably his fancee-to
stare at my little hands in evident aston
ishment. / was more vexed than fiat
tered. What right had he to gaze at me
so fixedly, after having claimed my
assistance? What would Annie think
of my adventure
I recalled him somewhat primly to q
sense of duty, I suppose, for he pro-
ceeded to pay for the hat, after 1 had
warned the shop people not to charge
him more than double the usual price.
He thanked me in subdued accents, and
even limited that as the ship was to be in
port some weeks, he hoped any residents
would come on board. I relented suffi.
GENTLY to inquire how he proposed send
ing the Leghorn hat, and learned that il
was to be entrusted to the captain of 6
brig, bound for New York.
Perhaps had best address the boz
here" he said, again consulting me will
his eyes.
eyes," asseDted, gaining frmnesf
and decision of tone from his very IRE
solution.
The clerk brought him an immense
inkstand with a very rusty and gritty
pen attached. My companion dipped
the pen into the ink and stirred il
thoughtfully, as if it had been soup.
"I hope she will like it," said the ex
traordinary man, consulting me again
with most sheepish expression of coun
tenance. perhaps she owns ever sc
many Leghorn hats already" in sudder
alarm.
"No, no, I returned, soothingly.
pictured to myself this lady whom
he was so anxious to please. How proud
she would be of the exquisite Etruscar
straw which she would wear to church
How envious would be her neighbors
"There, will that answer 2" he helC
before me the written address.
I gasped as read: "Miss Heller
Westmore, Berryville, Vermont"
My own name was Helen Westmore
and Berryville had been my home Tht
Leghorn hat which I had selected with
so much care was evidently intended fol
myself.
"You can not be DIR. Easton, whC
took care of my poor Harry, and wrot,
me the letters about him ?" I cried
between sobbing and laughter. ct an
his sister,"
"He told me his sister had the small
est hands in the world" he replied will
excitement.
After that there we're dinners q
Annie's, moonlight drives along tn
shore, entertainments on the man of
war, with ample leisure for explanation