Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-04-11
AN APRIL FOOL.

First Of Aprilm said young Mr.
Richard Booker, as he turned UP the
corresponding card in the office-reg gistqr
in its place above the mantel-piece.
"Why, l declare | had forgotten all
about it. Amt it jollyp l say, Jen-
kins, we'll have some fun before the DAYS
out. Lucky, amt it. that the governors
awayg"
Better look sharp, or you'll get your
self into another scrape," responded the
clerk, who, at the opposite desk, was
preparing for the days work. You
haven't forgotten last April, whom you
wrote that proposal of marriage to Miss
Winterbottom from the old doctor?
Why, the old lady glared at you only
yesterday, as though she could have
scratched your eyes out"
"Oh, I'll not play off ON the fair sex
this time. I'll confine myself to the less
sensitive and vindictive portion of hu-
manity. Hello! There's the Oaklands
phaeton stopping at the postoffice. Mr.
Arthur Temple and that insufferable,
exasperating prig, Colonel Barksdale
They'll be over here in a minute, and, by
Jove! won't l play off on the colonel!
He, he! Temple, too. He's COED fell
low, and won't mind it. Now, Jenk,
don't you say Il word, or I'll let on to
the governor about that lark last night. -"
The promising young scion of the law
looked preternaturally serious and pre-
occupied as the distinguished-look
colonel entered the Office.
Jenkins, as simple matter of self
defence in view of possible future con-
tingencies, had slipped into the back
room.
What passed between the colonel and
Mr. Richard Booker in the few moments
wherein the latter was delivering to the
former some papers for which he had
called, no one could tell but it was OBJ
served by Miss Winterbottom, who lived
opposite, that the colonel must certainly
have been taken i'll while in Mr.. Book
er's office, he looked so grave and altered
when he came out.
And then, on the other hand, there
was Mr.. Arthur Temple, who, on read
ing note which was delivered him by
the office-boy, as he sat in the phaeton,
fairly frightened up into different be-
ing. No doubt he had just gotten that
appointment of college professor fol
which he had been applying; but what
on earth had cast down the colonel sc
suddenlyP
Everybody knew he was counting Miss
Grace Courtenay, and that she would nc
doubt accept him; and he had looked SC
confident and self-satisfied until the mo-
ment when, issuing from the office-door
he had re-entered the phaeton, and, with
Mr.. Temple, driven straight back tc
Oaklands, where they both happened te
be together on a visit.
About two hours later, on the san,
morning of the first of April, a Lowell,
young girl stood with her clasped hands
resting on the balustrade of terrac,
which extended in front of fine ole
country house,
An extensive lawn sloped to the river
shaded by groups of stately trees, il
whose branches birds were singing /,
perfect jubilee, while drops of dew
glistened on every leaf and flower. a
though during the night the earth hac
been sprinkled with shower of dia
monds. The fresh morning air was ricl
with the odorous breath of flowers, an,
the deep blue sky, overarching all wa
fleckeed with light wisps Of silver,
clouds. Never had the sweet month O
April been ushered in by more Lowell,
day.
The young girl stood drinking in tn
/. beauty OF the scene with clear blue ewes
full of happiness, and dewy red lin
apart. A statel ly and still handsome lady
standing at the low French windoy
. near, after watching her for moment
called: 0'''o' L
Grace, dear, come in to breakfast -
J.. "Oh, mannna, feel above eating ius
= now. Was ever such a lovely dav
Surely Eden itself could scarcely hay
been fairer." ''''
Mrs. Courtenay smiled at her daurl
ter's enthusiasm. Though nearly twent,
Oraace had still much of the ifreshne;
, mingled with the grace of early womar
hood. "oiii''i
49,, Come, dear. Even in Eden, Adai
and Eve were not above eating.N
,... unfortunately" said Grace, with
little sigh; else we might be now liv;r
out OF doors in just such delicious q