Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-08-06
An InsurmOuntabIe Objection.
AT THE GARDEN GATE,

Janet Dudley stood at the garden gate
that lovely evening in early September,
gazing up the road with anxious eyes.
The faint light of the rising moon lay like
blessing on her golden head, and the
air, filed with the fragrance of new
mown hay, carelessly touched her fair
Young face. Never prettier maid
waited lover, and yet John Hallam's
step was SLOW and his face clouded as he
emerged from the shadow of the trees
and came toward her. Janet opened
the gate, and stepped out to meet him.
"Well, JohnP" she said, and her voice
trembled ever so little.
The young man took her tiny hands
i'll his, and looked down upon her-she
was a wee thing-with almost a frown
upon his brow. "Uncle Roger is as
obstinate as a mule" he said. 81 have
just come from a most wearisome inter
view with him. He insists that l shall
either take up my drudgery again at
Mink & Offers, or some other equally
agreeable establishment, and forfeit all
claims upon him, or give him the
promise he asks"
"Well ?" said Janet again, gazing
steadily up N his face, and this time her
voice did not trembLe at all, but her
lovers did, as with half-averted eyes
he made answer: 81 should hate to 90
clerking it again after being my own
master so long, and, to own the truth,
patronizing my old chums somewhat
whenever we met; and it seems too bad
to let such fortune 60 to strangers, as
Uncle Roger declares it shall if l don't
come to terms. But then the promise
he exacts is so absurd"
Absurd" repeated Janet, slowly.
/" Is it so absurd, when you think of it
calmly Your uncle wants to make
sure of pleasant companion for five
years, and at the end of that time wishes
to choose pleasant companion for that
pleasant companion, thereby securing
for himself two pleasant companions
t0r the remainder of his life-which
sounds like something out of one of
Ollendorff's books for beginners, or a
riddle" she continued, with laugh
that had no merriment in it. "And so
he offers you great inducements to be-
come that companion. Aud, John, you
have always been disconnected because
your station in life was not higher
one, and more OF the worlds gold had
not fallen to your share, And now that
wealth and position are offered you, it
would be absurd indeed to refuse them
for the sake of poor country school
mistress"
"Janet, you are cruel"
Perhaps / amin the way surgeons
are cruel; but really think, John, the
cure for your hurts is to accede to your
uncle's wishes
"And part with youp"
"And part with me, as it is only too
evident that that worthy gentleman
considers me totally unworthy the honor
of ever becoming the pleasant compan-
ion of his pleasant companion"
The young man dropped her hands,
and caught her in his arms. "You do
not love me, after all" he said, reproach.
fully.
81 do love you," she replied, at the
same time turning her face away from
his kisses, "and | have loved you ever
since we first met, but have become
convinced that as poor man you would
not be a success, John, and therefore I
say obey your uncle, live the life for
which you have longed, and get the
fortune"
By heavens, will not give you up u
exclaimed Hallan, stung by her quiet
sarcasm. but, Jennie dear, listen to
reason. Promise to wait for me, to be
true to me, and will agree to Uncle
Rogers conditions. Who knows what
may happen in five yearsP The old man
may die"
The girl started back from his arms
with glowing checks and flashing eyes
"shame on you, Jobnp che said