Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-09
INSTRUMENTATION.

Fifteen-- -FOurteen---Tbi
1t was Oh clustering evening in March
that Mr.. Alexander Ashe, pausing in his
rapid progress through one of the tree-chris-
tened streets which bisect the city of Penn,
took from his pocket letter, and holding it
well up to catch the somewhat uncertain
light of lamp, studied the address with
zeal sharpened by sudden apprehension.
"Confound Uncle Nat ~ he muttered, 81
wish he would learn TO put tails to his SIS.
1914, no; 15lt, no; that quirl certainly
must mean 3. Well, this is really too bad.
1t never occurred to me till this moment
that there could be mistake, but certainly
it is 3, and not 5. A nice business it would
be TO make blunder Notwithstanding.
Pshaw But it's to please Uncle Nat. He's
been good to me in his way, the old fellow
has and can't well refuse so slight favor
as that | should call on these-what's their
names ?-Ashursts, even if he does go on
to air what he calls his long-matured
hopes " that the call may lead to something
more interesting. 1t won't, though. | never
saw girl with money yet that wasn't al
together detestable. 1914, 13l4-which is
it +? Never mind, this is Thirteenth street
so much is certain. Now let's see-the
house must be on this side. Perhaps the
name is on the door. By Jove | never
thought of that"
Sure enough, the name was on the door
"Ashurst revealed plainly enough by an
opportune street lamp directly opposite; and
Alex Ashe rang the bell, muttering to him
self: " A good hit that. It's lucky didn't
go off in search 1914. Still | wish Uncle
Nat would mend the tails of his S."
narrow entry presented itself to his
view when the door opened, for the house
was small, and the misfortune of a small
house is that each newcomer instinctively
makes his measurements, and deduces from
what he sees the probable extent and CON-
pass of what he does not see. 9" The ladies
were at home," and white-capped maid
took his card into the parlor, and returning
presently, ushered him in. "What pleas
ant room y was his first thought as he en-
tered. Not handsome parlor" in the
least. He was used to those parlors where
every mirror, bronze, curtain aud piece of
furniture was the exact complement of sim
liar articles on the other side the party-wall
on either hand where sofas and chairs wore
fine clothes on occasion, and common petit
coats for common days, and nothing seemed
intended for use, comfort or the indulgence
of unauthorized or impromptu pleasures.
This was room of different type, not hand
some at all in the conventional sense, but
full of individuality and charm. Thick rug
like hangings of the cheap Abruzzi tapestry
of Italy draped doors and windows the
walls, of soft harmonious tint, were hung
thickly with pictures and drawings, among
which wandered, apparently at will, the
shoots of magnificent ivy. bright fire
of cannel-coal shone in the low CRATE there
were books everywhere; the piano stood
open, and strewn with music sheets writ
ing-table, heaped with papers, in one corner,
and an easel and paints in another, showed
that busy people used the room, and worked
there when so inclined-a thing not often
permitted in parlors kept for show; and on
the chimney-piece stood bowl of fresh vio-
lets, which diffused a spring-like odor about
the place.
Two young ladies', evidently sisters, rose
from seats beside the fire, and came forward
to receive the guest. The elder, who held
his card between her fingers, had a sweet
and sensible countenance, remarkably
pretty figure, and manner full of gracious
dignity and composure. She was of that
type of woman whom other women wonder
that all men don't fall in love with but
they don't. The younger was in a totally
iouuty
ing, seduisdnte, possessed of thousand un.
taught graces, which lent to her manner in
exhaustible variety and charm, but withal
with the sunny candor of child shining in
her clear blue eyes. Amy Ashurst was al.
together an enchanting creature, and Alex
Ashe, struck and dazzled, muttered to him
self, with sudden excitement BY Joye
Uncle Nat has hit it for once. Here is
girl with money who beats hollow all the
girls without any that | ever met. am ev-
erlastingly indebted to him." And while
these thoughts whirled through his mind,
Miss Ashurst was enunciating her soft little
sentences of welcome.
ave are glad to see you, Mr.. Ashe, and
mamma will be very glad when she comes
home. | am only sorry that she should hap
pen to be out this evening at Mr.. Berguins
cercle, but they always break up early. She
had letter from-your aunt, | think it was,
in the autumn, in which she said that there
was talk of your coming here toward spring
but she named no time, and mamma did not
know when to look for you.'
"My uncle, probably. lie is not married.
had no idea, however, that he had written
to Mrs. Ashurst so long beforehand, though
he babe me call upon her without fall
"Your uncle p repeated Miss Ashurst,
doubtfully. 81 thought | recollected; but
of course might easily be mistaken. Pray
sit down, Mr.. Ashe. Oh, not on that chair;
that is only comfortable for ladies. Try
that big square one. What clustering
night it is !"
81 thought so till came in, but no one
would suspect it from the atmosphere of
your room, Miss Ashurst. What delight
full room it is |"
81 am so glad that you think So" put in
the beautiful Amy, whose voice was as sweet
as her face. Florence and | are always
pleased when any one praises our rooms, be-
cause they are mammals doing, and we all
think that she has the most perfect taste in
the world"
Nothing could be pleasanter, | am sure.