The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-10-29
WILD GRAPES.

Widow Winton, land doing nobody
any goodr
The golden September sunshine was
stepping all the uplands in yellow bright
ness; the avant couriers of the coming
frost had touchedethe 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, out
lined against their rank, green leaves, as
il some enchanted hand had hung all tho
forest aisles with glistening pendants OF
amethyst.
1.-The Jelly they would maker said tho
Widow Winton, shading her large black
eyes with one hand, as she looked up
where the vines had garlanded copse
of cedar trees. "And 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
fragrance toward her-the sweet, inde-
scribable aroma of ripening grapes in
the crucible of autumn sunshine.
The Widow Winton, be it under
stood. was no angular matron or
wripkled old beldame, but rosy little
parsonage of two or Internationally,
with laughing, sloc-black eyes, long
lashed and almond-shaped, saucy,
retrousse nose, and lips like a cleft rose
bud. And as she stood there, with her
dimpled hands interlaced above her
eyes, rebellious resolution formed itself
In her heart.
Il will have them," said the Widow
Winton; las well me as the schoolboys
and the sparrOws. And If were to ask
that crusty old agent, l know he'd re-
fuse, so shall omit the little ceremony.
rll send 'em into town, and I'll take the
money to get me new fall hat, for mine
has been positively shabby ever since
the Grape got soaked through in that
summer shower, three weeks ago Sun
day"
And the Widow Winton went homo
to the little cottage on the edge of the
wood, which had once been a porter's
lodge to 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 a good many degrees graver, "pray
"Why notP" said Fanny.
1T would be stealing!"
"No, it wouldn't" stoutly argued
Fanny. "There they hang. doing no.
body any good; and it's wicked, sim
full shamei And Mr.. Esselmont is in
Paris, and that cross old crab of an
agent sets up a cry If one does but break
off a sprig of autumn leaves. No,
Charity, there's no use arguing; the
grapes i want, and the grapes I'll have!"
81 wouldn't" said Miss.C Charity.
81 would" said the Widow Winton.
And she took down little wicker
basket. with twisted handle and a
double lid, and tripped Oft.
How are you going to reach themP"
said Miss Charity.
"Youp" cried Miss Charity.
"Yes, Ir' nodded the widow.
But she was yet engaged in gathering
the purple spoils that hung, ripe and
tempting, within her reach, when there
was a cracking of dry leaves under
foot, and tall young man, in a suit OF
dark-colored cloth and Tyrolese hat,
stepped lightly into the forest glade.
Its the new rector" said the Widow
Winton to herself. ITO think that he
should have blundered along at this
very time of ali others! But / may as
well make the best of it,"
And she turned around to greet the
bewildered new. conner with swee,
smile and the utmost self-possession.
"Will you have some grapesP" said
she. holding out the twisted wicker
basket.
Ill beg your pardonr stammered
the stranger; but l must have mis-
| \
the Esselmont woods"
$50 they are," said the widow, ''and
am stealing the Esselmont grapes-be
cause, YOU see, I've rented the littl,
cottage yonder, and / really think til,
grapes ought to 90 with the cottage
don't your"
Really" said the stranger-th,
Widow Winton had perceived by thil
time that he was tall and straight, will
pleasant hazel eyes and long, silk,
mustache.i II know so!little about tn
property here"
"Oh, of course notl" said the widow
sitting down on a fallen tree, with he
little black silk apron full of grapes
"But can tell you. Mr.. Esselmont, win
owns the property, is in Europe; AM
the agent is such cross old fudge tina
one can't ask for so much as bunch O
WllQ 0OWefS-h VI uo,y Ou huOW ]
opening her bright eyes very wide b
emphasize the idea.
+" How very disagreeablel" said th
stranger, who had taken a seat on tn
messy log. beside the widow, and wa
eating grapes as ii it were the most nat
pral thing in the world.
$50 / Just concluded to help myself,
said the widow.
$50 / perceive" said the hero of tn
silky mustache.
"Wouldn't you, II you were in IN
placer" said the widow.
Certainly wouldi" said the gentle
man. "And If you will allow me,
will help you to help yourself" ;.
{" But you haven't time," said III
i Widow Winton. obviously.
"Oh. yes, havel" said the stranger
"plenty of time, l assure you. W,
n only crossing tie woods TO call on II
!. new rector, and"
70 The purple clusters of grapes slid
l. the ground, Us the Widow Winto
"A a., ~. an. aFf md diam n