Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-09-24
F I r E!

Golng, going, gone!
The auctioneer was q fine looking
young man, and the melody of his rich
deep voice called in many passer-by
from the sidewalk. We were too late
as he has made his last sale for the day
and is just leaving the store. We cal
follow him, however, and see whittier
he goes so hastily. He soon turns from
the busy thoroughfare into quiet street
and, after walking several blocks, ascend'
the steps of somber building, on tht
door of which is large brass plate
bearing this legend: "Young Ladies
Boarding School," Not at all abasheG
by this impressive notice, he jingles the
door-bell and serenely awaits response
Being ushered into the parlor, he asks
to see the principal, who presently
rustles into the room, the customary be.
nignant smile wreathing her counte.
nance. This smile extends beyond its &C.
customed limits at the sight OF the young
man, and verges on to something like
genuine cordiality.
Mr.. Charming, am truly delighted
to see you. You have been quite q
stranger to us for sometime. Miss Mary
has been really alarmed about YOU"
Quite unnecessary, I assure you,
Mrs. Lake. Surely one of my vigorous
frame should not cause any overweening
anxiety. You don't notice any signs Of
decline, do you'"
mo, l am glad to say, do not; yet
cannot chide your sister for feeling n little
uneasy when she does not hear from you
for more than week, and your board.
ing-house only few squares away
However. will go and announce that
the cause of her trouble is in the
parlor."
Soon after Mrs. Lakes departure
Mary Charming entered the room, and
continued the lecture on her brothers
long absence.
Well, well, Mary" said he at last
II plead guilty. But fear what have
come to say will not, under the circum'
stances, prove very acceptable. have
just received a call to go over to j
and sell out large stock of dry goods
A good commission is offered me, and
hope to make neat little sum before
return. ! shall be gone about three
weeks"
Il should not feel your absence, SC
keenly Norton, If you would only be SC
gracious as to drop me line occasional.
ly, TO let me know that you are in good
health. You seem to forget that life in q
boarding-school is not the most cheerful
existence in the world; and, although
Mrs. Lake, and in fact everybody here, is
very kind to me, yet it is not at all pleas.
ant to never get glimpse of a home.
face-the only one that is left me now
There was just dash of tears in her
blue eyes as she said this, and her broth
er, fearing a calamitous conclusion to
the interview hastened to add few
comforting remarks, and by dint of some
extravagant promises of future CORES
pondence, averted the threatened
"spell."
By the time get back from -
he continued, your course of study in
this school will be completed, and then l
propose that we spend the vacation at
Aunt Martha's, in compliance with her
long-standing invitation. We will just
run wild in those glorious old hills.
How l long tor breath of the fresh,
country mir! Walter Thorpe tells me he
will be up in that vicinity about that
time. and the amount of boat-riding
and fishing, and erudite conversation
that will be carried on then, will atone
for all these shortcomings of mine. !
think, when / return to the city, shall
at once open q law Office, and quit my
present business for good"
II hope you will, " said Mary, "for
do not like your present vocation, as you
know"
l know you are not partial to it, and
must confess that it has its objection,
able features to me; but it pays well
and manage to have some leisure time
for study. Besides, it is an excellent
drill in oratory. You ought to hear MI
argue case with an obdurate bidder
| just fancy he is a juryman. and tina
the success of my case depends upon hi
purchasing the goods; and the way
pile up the evidence before him is appall
ing"
II am afraid you are a naughty boy,
said his sister, fondly; "but if | eve
hear of your swindling any customers
you may rest assured you will hear fron
me-"
1T is getting dark said Norton
"and have to mike some preparatio
for my departure tomorrow; so, good
by. will write more frequently i
future"