Litchfield enquirer., 1879-08-07

SequeStered hiding places. With heart that fairly thumps, I urge my pony onward across the green, and ere he slackens his pace am at my journeys end. The dear old Snuggery, with it's gables manifold and quaint, it's fan tastic wings and towers, stands there before me, the glowing windows beaming through the naples. Leaving our pony in willing hands, we enter the gate, and are soon upon the wide porch
 It is eight o'clock, and the Snuggery IS hushed in the quiet of the study hour, and as we look through the windows we see the little groups of studiOus lads bending over their books. Tur. i.,g corner on the piazza, we are confronted with tall hexagonal structure atiits further end This is the Tower, the lower room of which is consecrated to the CO., y retirement of Mir. and Mrs. Snug. The door leading te the porch is open, and, as if awakening from a nap in which the past fif- teen years have been dream, I listen to the same dear voice. l approach nearer. Under the glow of a students lamp 1 look upon the beloved face. the flowing hair and beard now silVered with the lapse of years-a face of un- usual frmneSs, but whose every line marks the expression of a tender, loving nature and of large and noble heart. Near him another sits-a help-meet kind and true, cherished companion Tn happy, useful life. Into her lap nestling lad has climbed and as she strokes the curly head and looks into the chubby face, I see the same expression as of old, the same motherly tenderness and love bcaming from the large gray eyes Mir. Snug boys are standing up before him; one of them is speaking, evidently in answer to question
 T called him galoot, Sir" f aa
 You called George galoot, and then he threw the baseball club at you-is that it ?''
 'Yes. Sir; but was only playing" 2tst
 Ii "Yes," resumed the voice of Mr. Snug, 'but that club went with considerable force, and made havoc in Deacon Farish's onion bed :; and that reminds me that the deacon's onion bed is overrun with weeds. Now Willie. " continued Mir. Snug, after moments hesita- tion, with eyes closed and head thrown back against the chair, Saturday morning to- morrow, that is-directly after breakfast you go out into the grove and call names to the big rock for half an hour. You understand ?'' ''Yes, Sir"
 ''And, George" continued Mr. Snug, with deliberate, easy intonation, ito morrow morn ing, at the same time, you present yourself politely to Deacon Parish, tell him that sent you, and ask him to escort you to his onion bed After which you will go carefully to work and pull out all the weeds. You under stand, Sir P
 s'And then you will both report to me as usual" And with pleasant smile, which was reflected Tn both their faces, the erring youngsters were dismissed. Before the door has closed behind them we are standing in the doorway. Here draw the curtain, for who but one of it's own household could understand welcome at the Snuggery7
 Those of my old school mates who read this neagre sketch willknow the happiness of such meeting but others less fortunate in the re- collections of school-life can only look for its counterpart in an affectionate welcome in their own homes, for the Snuggery is a home, for the Snuggery 6 8 home to all who ever dwelt within it's gates. Seated in the familiar cozi. ness, and surrounded by the friends of my school-days, the hours fly fast and pleasantly There is plenty to talk about Here is vii. lage full of good people of whom wish to learn, and there are many far-of chums oi whom carry tidings. A bell rings in the GU pola as, one by one, from the buzz in the out. CT rooms, boys large and small seek our seclu- sion for the accustomed good might adieu; and ere another hour has passed, forty sleepy UT. chins are packed away in their snug quarters The evening runs on into midnight, as with stories of the past, it's pains and penalties, its remembrances, now humorous now sad by turns, we recall the good old times and the 'swee sma' hours'' are already upon us as we reluctantly retire from the goodly company to our rooms across the way.
 The next morning finds us in the midst of 8 merry load, with Mr. Snug as driver. Would that 1 had space to more than hint at the beauties that opened up before us on that charming ride! Snug Hamlet, in the qualities of it's landscape as we'll as in everything else, is unique. Stripped of all it's old associations, it presents to the artistic eye combination ot attractions scarcely to be equalled in the boundaries of New England. Situated itself on the brow of an abrupt hill. where it's pic turesque homes cluster about 8 broad open green, few minutes drive in any direction reveals surrounding panorama of the rarest loveliness. Five hundred feet below us, winding in and out, now beneath leafy tangles now under quaint little bridges, and again re. posing placidly in broad mill l-ponds, the happy Shepaug lends to lovely valley it's usefulness and beauty. Turning in another direction, we pass the Snuggery hall ground, animated with the shouts of victory and descending into a vale of almost primeval wildness we continue our way up the ascent of Artists Hill, from can reach, the landscape softens into the hay horizon.
 s Returning, we pass through ruined waste, where, three months before, the fierce tornado swooped down in it's fendish fury On every side we see it's awful evidences. Huge oaks, like brittle pipe-stems, snapped from their moorings sturdy nickories, mere playthings in the gale, twisted into shredS. Every morn ing saw me on some new drive, either with a
 wagon full of merry company, or as alone with MT. Snug we held our quiet tete-G- tete OH wheels, living over the olden times. In the afternoon I strolled by myself through the old and eloquent scenes. A volume could not hold the memories they revived; no, not even cf uonAor hor nlano o;f making my pencil sketch, its "reminiscences seem to float across the vision Distinctly il recalls the events of one evening years ago. Ii was at about the sunset hour, one Friday. was quietly on a lounge in the parlor talking to Charlie Blackstone, who was standing iu front of me. Presently the door opens, and the tall figure of Dick Shin enters. Dick and were antipodes in every sense of the word Physically we were as match and billiard ball. he being the lucifer. He was also my bete nOire and he never missed an opportunity to vent his spite. Accordingly he stalked toward us, and with violent push sent Char. lie pell-mell on to me. In falling he stepped heavily on my foot. and hurt me severely, which accounted for my excited expression as pushed hlm from me.
 Of course Mfr. Snug had to come in just al this time, and seeing us in what looked to him very like fight, he took us firmly by the ears and stood us side by side. while I ventured te explain.
 ssNot word," said he, in tone there wa. no mistaking. You two boys may cool off by a trip to Moody Barn, after which you will re port to me in the Tower Now go" gs.}
 Whatever. may have been the state of my mind few moments before, was now mac in earnest, and with every bit of my latent ob stinacy aroused, sauntered out on to the porch. ssst ssfy z,i,e! ..vt.ik ~4
 Cool off, old boy" whisped grating voice at my side, as turned and met the gaze ol Dick Shin, naotioning with his thumb in tht the direction of Moody Barn ''cool of yor need it j" and the ample mouth stretched into capacious grin. f< 'is' II had already formed an intention, but now it was a resolve. sCharlie, 2 said to my quiet and less chol erie companion, when some distance down the roae, "I am not going on that trip.
 Not going!" replied he, with surprise "why you'll hage to go." '+. But acon't go, and that settles it. It. confounded unjust that we're sent, anyhow and don't propose to stand it."
 Il think so too," answered Charlie, witl hesitating emphasis; ''but what Il we do, II *yt