Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-11-10
Wild Grapes.

Such a quantity of them,' said the
Widow Winton, "and doing nobody any
goodw.
The golden September sunshine was steep
ing all the uplands in yellow brightness; the
dpdnt couriers of the coming frost had
touched the naples and sumacs with fiery
red, and the wild grapes in the woods came
freighting the air with sweetness. Such
wild grapes, too-great, blooming masses of
purple, outlined against their rank green
leaves as If some enchanted hand had hung
all the forest aisles with glisteniDg pendants
of amethyst.
"The jelly they would make !" said the
Widow Winton, shading her large black
eyes with one hand, as she looked up where
the vines had garlanded copse of cedar
trees. "Aud the preserves And the price
they would bring in market / really do
think that when rented the Glen Cottage
ought to have had the privilege of these
woods into the bargain, more especially as
Mr.. Esselmont is in Europe, and the grapes
are doing nobody any good"
And the Widow Winton drew deep
sigh, as the wind waited fresh gust of fra
GRANGE toward her--the sweet aroma of
ripening grapes in the crucible of autumn
| sunshine.
The Widow Winton, be it understood,
was no angular matron or wrinkled old bel
dame, but rosy little parsonage of two or
Extraordinarily, with laughing, sloe-black
| eyes, long-lashed and amond-shaped, saucy
retrousse nose, and lips like cleft rosebud
And as she stood there with her dimpled
| hands interlaced above her eyes, rebellious
resolution formed itself in her heart.
al will have them" said the Widow Win
ton. GAS well me as the schoolboys and
sparrows. And if were to ask that crusty
old agent, know he'd refuse, so | shall
omit the little ceremony. Ill send 'em into
town, and III take the money to get me a
new fall hat, for mine has been positively
shabby ever since the Grape got soaked
through in that summer shower, three weeks
ago Sunday"
And the widow Winton went home to
the little cottage on the edge of the wood,
which had once been porter's lodge on the
Esselmont estate, and told her sister what
she had determined upon.
Fanny" said Miss Charity Hall, who
was ten years older than the widow, and
good many years graver, "pray don't think
Of such thing"
"Why not ?" said Fanny.
at would be stealing"
"No, it wouldn't" stoutly argued Fanny,
"There they hang doing nobody any good
and it's wicked, sinful shame Aud Mr..
Esselmont is in Paris, and that cross old
crab of an agent sets up a cry if one does
but break off sprig of autumn leaves. No,
Charity, there's no use arguing the grapes
want, and the grapes I'll have"
al wouldn't" said Miss Charity.
81 would" said the Widow Winton.
And she took down little wicker basket,
with twisted handle and double lid, and
tripped off.
"How are you going to reach them p"
said Miss Charity.
81 shall climb" said the widow.
"You 2" cried Miss Charity.
ayes, J." nodded the widow
But she was yet engaged in gathering the
purple spoils that hung, ripe and tempting,
within her reach, when there was crack.
ling of dry leaves under foot, aud tall
Young man, in a suit of darkcolored cloth
and Tyrolese hat, stepped lightly in the
forest glade.
ats the new rector" said the Widow
Winton to herself ITO think that he
should have Numbered along at this very
time Of all others But may as well make
the best of it,
And she turned around to greet the be-
wildered newcomer with sweet smile and
the utmost self-possessiou.
"Will you have some grapes ?" said she,
holding out the twisted wicker basket.
"I-I beg your pardon !" stammered the
stranger, "but ! must have mistaken my
way. supposed these were the Esselmont
woods"
$50 they are" said the widow, "and
am stealing the Esselmont grapes-because,
you see, I've rented the little cottage yonder
and really think the grapes ought to 60
with the cottage-don't you ?"
"Really," said the stranger-the Widow
Winton had perceived by this time that he
was tall and straight, with pleasant hazel
eyes and long, silky moustache-" know
so little about the property here"
"Oh, of course not" said the widow, sit
ting down on a fallen tree, with her little
black silk apron full of grapes. "But l can
tell you. Mr.. Esselmont, who owns the
property, is in Europe, and the agent is such
a cross old fudge that one can't ask for so
much as bunch of wild fowers-s regular
crab, you know" opening her bright eyes
very wide to emphasize the idea.
allow very disagreeable," said the stran-
ger, who had taken seat on the messy log,
beside the window, and was eating grapes
as if it were the most natural thing in the
world.
$50 just concluded to help myself" said
the widow.
$50 perceive" said the hero Of the silky
moustache.
"Wouldn't you, if you were in my place p
said the widow.
Certainly would" said the gentleman
And if you will allow me | will help you
to help yourself"
"But you haven't time" said the Widow
Winton, obviously.
"Oh, yes, / have" said the stranger
"plenty Of time, assure you. | was only
crossing the woods to call on the new rector
and"
The purple clusters Of grapes slid to the
ground, as the Widow Winton started up in
amazement and dismay
"Oh, dear" cried She" thought you were
the new rector"
, The stranger smiled.
: "Do look so very clerical 2" said he.
"Then you are the agents son from Can
ada" said she. "Oh, dear oh, dear And
I've been calling your father crab, and al
4 sorts of names. Oh, dear beg your par
! don, 1 am sure, but all the same he is
! crab"
y spray don't distress. yourself" soothed tn,
/. stranger. 81 am no relation at all to Mr.
y Esselmont's agent"
The Widow Winton frightened up littl,
, at this.
al am thankful for that" said she. sane
row, if you will help me with the grapes, W,
can get them all gathered before the agen
- comes this way on his afternoon walk. Car
you climb 7"
al should rather think could" prompt,
answered the gentleman.
The widow capped her plump little hand
in delight, as the huge punches rained dow
into her apron.
"There," cried she, that's enough
% Are Won unite sure Z"
"Oh, quite" said the widow" for jelly
and marmalade, and to send lot to town 4
buy my new bonnet strings"
The stranger sprang lightly to the ground
from the boughs of a stately beech tree
"Then it's all right" said he. "And w