Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-05-14

on its sides to the lake at the bottom. All
the space within the square was laid
out in flower beds, the columns were
overrun with prairie roses and wood
bines, and the windows of the central
building, which was the most modern
and neatly built, opened down to the
ground with latticed covers, after the
French fashion.
On the outer side of the quadrangle |
were many projecting wings and ang lies |
of various constructions, and intended |
for various purposes, all of which added |
to the romantic appearance of the vii |
lage. Over this opulent and lovely scene |
the sun was verging toward the west, |
when fine, athletic looking man of some |
five and forty years issued from the oak |
grove to the left of the water, carrying |
a fine, fat doe recently slain across his |
shoulders and short, heavy double-bar-
relied rifle in his right hand. A bugle |
horn was slung about his neck and
couple of tall black-and- tan stag hounds
followed at his heel.
Descending the slope with firm, elias
tic tread, full of energy and indepen-
dence, he soon reached the gravelly
shore, where lay moored to a STAKE, a
light Indian canoe. Into this he laid the
game and the rifle and then entering him
self he padded with vigorous and
practised arm towards the house, follow
ed by his hounds which nearly kept way
with the light barque, forcing their way
proudly through the clear water. just
before reaching the shore he raised his
bugle to his lips and wound it clearly
and well, till all the hills and woods sent
back their CHEEKY music. Instantly the
whole house was on the alert four or
five negro handmaidens showed their
bright ebony faces peering out from the
floors of the out-buildings, two stout
farm-servants, black persons, likewise
descended to meet the master; while
from one of the French windows there
stepped out into the portico a graceful
and lovely female figure, young matron
in the prime of mature womanhood, be-
fore the flight of years had stolen charm
from form or feature. With her came
three children-a noble, curly headed
boy of twelve or thirteen, a fairy girl
with long, flowing curls of gold, perhaps
one year younger than her brother, and q
fat little roll-about nondescript of four
or five.
20, mother, motherm cried the elder
boy, "here comes father with deer
which he has killed, and Cato and Sam
are going down to take care of the canoe
and bring up the dogs and game. May /
not run down and meet them?"
Certainly, Willie, away with you,
and tell father to make haste; there are
letters for him from New York"
Away went the happy boy, careering
through the green pasture like frolic-
some young colt, rejoicing in his vigor
and strength, and ere long returned in
frank, animated converse with the hand
some, athletic, ,sunburnt gentleman whom
he called father.
"Welcome home, Herveyn' said the
lovely wife. Il see you have brought
home a hunters burden; you have good
sport"
"And hunters appetite, also, Clara
| promise you. So let us have supper
as soon as may be. The New York let
, ters will keep monstrous well, I'll war.
rant them. No bad debts nor protested
notes nowadays. hey, Clara? Come
: Master Willie, make yourself useful anC
bring me up some cool water to my
dressing-ro I'll be ready in ten min
utes."
And in ten minutes he made his reap
Q pearance, glowing from his recent bath
and dressed as becomes country gen
tleman in the house. Supper and Clar
were both ready and both charming.
: The supper was ended; and such
: supper-broiled rock bass from the lake
q and venison steaks, and prarie fowl, an
!. bread of dozen kinds, and butter sue
f as men may not eat in cities, and frs
: grant coffee, and cream as thick as POI
|. ridge.
+ The letters were discussed at one {
them Hervey looked grave, then pisheC
a then laughed. "Soh! my good uncle
n who would not speak to me when wa
!. poor
i "What of him, HerveyP" asked Clar
!, little nervously.
/ "What of him? Why, two hundre
q thousand dollars to set me up if I'll g
a back to Wall street and become his par
Il ner. A fair offer is it not, Clara?"
n "But you'll not take it-you'll neve
T. take it, Herveyp"
,s Never, indeed, Clara; not if he
W make the hundred thousands millions
| have been merchant Il am man.
\ have no desire to change again, unleE
J. you fancy to shine at Saratoga and Ne
" York, or to show diamonds at Mistre'
q Hauton's-the queen of Goleonda, the
er used to call her-in Astor place. VIII;
nj do you say to that, ma'amp"
at Not for worlds We are so hapr
n here"
w And the children cried in chorus: ''(
ie so happy!n And Harvey Aston chant'
t. in avoice full of jollity parody on Ep
r Sargent's popular song:
MT "a much loved band in a prairie land
ed And the life of the west for me-"