Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-11-23
Jacks Thanksgiving Story.

Cousin Jack! Cousin Jack! screamed
wLo Q crowd of children on Thanksgiving
afternoon, chasing Cousin Jack to the
library door, which he impoltely slam
med in their faces and locked inside.
Oh, Cousin Jack! yelled Charlie. into
the keyhole, you used to play with us and
tell us nice stories. and now you run
away.
Do tell us story, said pretty Miss
Maud
Tell us story. echoed little Christine
and big Tom and lisping Flossy, the curly
h-ndcd blonde; and even baby Tot, who
could hardly walk, and had limited
vocabulary. eooed, Tell us tory
Run away, you young torments, every
one of you! roared Jack through the door
He's Just horrd, WAS the unanimous
verdict of the children. It's stupid at
grandpa's to day. and no Cousin Jack to
play with us, pouted Tom.
He didn't notice me one bit at dinner,
said dignifed Maud
An he didn't pull my curlith, lisped
Flossy.
No said Christine; he looked at the
grown-up young lady, Miss Belle Caring
ton, and Just talked and talked to her all
the whole time.
Say. whispered Charlie come out into
the garden, and bet We'll have some fan.
So for the garden they all scampered.
Jack, after locking the door, was not
master of the new situation inside, after
all, for he looked very confused when a
tall young lady standing by the mantle
raised her eyebrows at him in surprise.
IL locked those urehins out Miss Car
rington. he stammered.
Not for my sake, answered Belle, love
children.
"The-fact is saw you here, and
thought you'd like-at least thought I'd
like a talk alone. I'm so glad Cousin Nell
persuaded you to join our family to-day
Jack went on nervously jerking out his
sentences. and then adding. in a tone OF
deep significance, hope this is not the
last time you are to be one of us.
Well. probably not, laughed Belle.
may live, and Nell may invite me again
don't mean that.
Oh, then YOU don't want me to live, OF
don't want Nell to ask me again. Thank
you.
don't mean that, either.
What meaningless young man you
are!
| am stupid fellow, l suppose.
You know best, assented Belle.
No, if believed you thought me stupid
or tiresome. or unlovable. i give up my
life, I'd go off neutrality-suspicious.
China, perhaps.
You needn't go, she said, softly, looking
down.
| Oh, Belle, dear Belle! and Jack sprane
towards her the length of the hearth-rug
She stepped back sharply. You needn'
Ro-so far, was about to say. Do lie
me finish a sentence. Go west-that'
far enough.
Jack stared for long minute at tn
pretty aggravating head held saucly ol
one side; then he deliberately stepped clos
up to Miss Belle Darlington and said 1
little phrase of three words. There f1ev
to her cheeks color which rivalled an
avenged the many scrimsons that her in
scrutable ways had brought into pco
Jacks complexion. The tables had turned
He was in earnest, and not to be laughe
at or delayed.
Belle-and he spoke very gravely-
know YOU for provoking hir; bnt So
you love me, and I'll believe you and be
lieve In you.
Do let me go, she answered, trying +
look frightened and surprised.
I'm not OBTAINING you, he blundered ou
in masculine sincerity. She gave the pitt
full glance of a bound captive, but neve
moved an inch
You are lovely as a dream, he mur
INJURED, watching her changing face.
Let me go. she pleaded again.
And dreams go by contraries, h
exclaimed, light breaking in upon him
won't let you go, Belle; and Jack bold
" threw an arm about her waist.
Oh, dear, she complained, what am t
sayp You are very rude.
Say, love you Jack.
She looked as il about to speak; b
stopped to catch the words. She turne
archly aside, but happening to turn towar
the window, shrieked out startling Ol
, and broke away with violence that neal
5 ly sent Jack head over heels.
He saw at once the cause of alarm:
dozen children outside the balcony an
. clambering over the railing, at least balf
dozen of the small noses nattened again
b the glass. Tom was In broad gril
prim Maud looking shocked. and Floss