Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-11-23
Written for the Freeman.l
First and Last Love.
BY MAY ROBERTS.

peering out into the storm, and wondering
why her father did not come with the little
boy that he had promised to bring to play
with her.
At length. weary of watching for him.
she drew chair to her mothers side and
asked to be told who the boy was that
her father had said was coming. and why
be should come there.
"Wnen your father was young. Annie"
replied Mrs. DeIsnd. " he had very dear
friend named Henry Wilson. The two
were companions in childhood and class.
mites at school, and were never separated
for any length of time until your father
and | were married and came here to
Roseneath 10 live. In few months after
wards young Mr.. Wilson went away to
the far west and married and after tina
we did not hear from him till last week
He wrote then that his wife had died. and
that he himself was fast following her to
the grave; and he said that he had son
eleven years of age whom he wished your
father to take as his own. and educate and
provide with home as long rs he needed
one, But think they have come, Annie -
added Mrs. Delaud, for [ can he II the
bells"
Annie darted out into the hall and down
the stops and was caught in her f. thers ;
arms.
We'll, little pet" said he, ~ have
come at last. and here is James Wilson,
the playmate promised you"
Then turning to the boy he said:
james, here IS my Annie whom told
you about on the way. How do you think
you shall like her?'
"Oh, | sh I'll like her ever so WE'LL"
replied the boy. she is great deal
pretter than yJu said she was. SIR" and
he turned "A loDk of admiration on Annie,
who stole up u him, and putting her dim
pied hand in his whispered:
"You will be my bto.her, won't you,
J,me,?'
Yes that will" responded the boy
and he storp, anl kissed Annies ros,
cheeks. &" We Will h .ve cool times, won
we, little >iste ?"
"Oh, yes" ,epIied Annie, with laugh ;
but now let m show You to na,nma."
Annie took a critical survey OF her new
playmate IS he VS. urIng presented to hrr
mother She saw that ne was not wha
people called h,ndsome, but still there
WIS - gentle look IN his eyes that WI
very winning. He had broad forehead
shaded with curin-t brown hair eyes of a
dark brown which seemed always pleading
for ove, deIcae features and well pro
portioned form. Altogether Annie was
much pleas ID with him.
The life, thus began together, wns
fraught with much happiness to both
Many were the rides Annie had on James
sled, aud when the summer came they
wandered hand in hand through the fields
in search of fruit and flowers. James wa
as lender of Annie as parent. carrying
her in hi. arms over brooks and through
briers, and calling her always his tiny
pet"
Thus the days passed away until James
was fourteen years old, and then he wa
their first real sorrow.
When everything was in readiness fo
his departure he went to Annie. who wa
sobbing by the window, and turning he
face to the light he kissed her and said
Never mind, my pet. When l get t.
be man am coming back, and you shal
be my wife"
Thus they parted, the boy of fourteen
and the girl of ten. each looking forwar'
to the time when James should become
man and return to claim his wife.
After he wa. gone the house SCENE
gloomy enough to Annie. Before Ion
she was to enter the young ladies seminar
in the pleasant village of W, an
she strove TO occupy her mind with preps
rations for that event. Letters passe
between the children while they were q
school-kind, friendly letters. such Il
brothers and sisters write OCCASIONAL
stray sentence would creep into jaime
letters which would bring the blush t
Annie's cheek. and she would whisper
herself, Then he has not forgotten wh'
he said when he went aw w."
Five years passed, and James, leavin
school, went to n distant state and entere
the service of a merchant of wealth an
high social position. He lived in Il
f'mily of his employer. Mr.. Htrcour
The only daughter of this gentleman
Marion, by name, was very beautif
girl, though of a lift rent type Of beau,
from Annie. James. in describing Mariol
said:
Yes. Annie Marion is beautiful, ar
though she does not look like you, 81
makes ne think Of you every time st
speaks. She hls the stme musical vol,
asmy pet, rnd like to hear her speak.
she reminds me of you. In place of yol
blue eyes and golden brown hair she b
eyes and halr BLACK a. JET She
darker than YOU Are, and her cheeks a
like roses and her lips like coral. VII
you could see her Annie. l know yC
would love her
The memorable sprinZ of 1861 cam
when the pres dent called for seVenty.f
thousand troops for three months Ann
trembled when she read the proclamatic
for fear that James would go. Ia fe
days she had letter from him saying th
he would not enlist then, but that if the
was another call be should feel il to be i
duty 10 respond The second call Can
quickly, and it WAS for three hundr
Thousand men for thee years. A Iii
from james told that he had offered /
services o his country, and was comir
home to Roseneath to say Good bye