Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-04

AsroRr yoR GIRLS.
"a week from tomorrow is the first day
of May" exclaimed Annie to her cousin
Lib, as they were working out their lessons
for the next day.
"Twenty-three - and seven are thirty.
That's So" returned Lib, "you're jewel to
think of it, Nan. Let's finish our lessons as
quickly as we can and begin planning our
baskets this very evening"
These cousins were bright, wide-awake
girls of fourteen, amiable, studious and al
ways on the alert for any sport or amuse-
ment. Halloween and the first day of
April found them prepared with deep-laid
mischief and well-planned tricks for vexing
or amusing all in the house. The first Of
May was a red-letter day with them, since in
the evening they followed the custom Of
hanging May-baskets, for which they made
ready with as much zest as, in the days Of
"merry England" the English youth pre-
pared for their May -day festivals.
As usual, the spare moments Of the week
were devoted to making the baskets. In
the girls own room was a pleasant bow
window, sunny and prettily curtained. In
it were two low rockers, where they enjoyed
the cosiest times with their stories or sewing.
Here they placed low table, and upon it
large box of bright-colored paper, mucilage,
etc., and in this quiet retreat the work was
secretly accomplished.
The baskets were made OF white or fancy
colored paper, in many different shapes,
often curiously woven, and usually decorated
with long pendants of narrow strips Of
crimped paper. Then with strong handle
to pass over the door-knob, and card upon
which was the name of the receiver, the bas-
kets were complete.
When the anticipated evening came, it
was pronounced "ust perfect" because there
was no moon to betray cautious movements.
Fortunately these girls lived in climate
warm enough so that May-day was reality,
and brought some of the prettiest and most
fragrant flowers of the season. Just at dusk,
taking basket and shears, they stole out into
the garden, gathered the flowers, and scam
pered up to their room.
"Now 'Lizbeth," said Annie, "you hold a
basket while arrange the flowers, and rice
versa. I'll take the one for Julia first, if
you please"
Julia was the maiden lady around the cor
ner who was almost as deaf as heather
idol, and exceedingly curious and inquisi-
tive.
"Let me see," continued Annie, I'll put
these white lilacs and almond blossoms in
the center to mean youth and 'hope.' ]
wish l had coreopsis to indicate love at
first sight Next gooseberry and myrtle
leaves for anticipation and sweet remem-
brances, all around these yellow tulips for
hopeless love- now row of spruce fare
WE'LL then weeping willow which tells the
sad tale forsaken,' and around all a circle
of snowballs to indicate the results
dreary wintry life. Isn't that good love
story? studied that out before you were up
this morning"
80 you naughty girl" exclaimed Lib
"suppose she knows the language of all these
flowers; you will hurt her feelings"
But she doesn't" replied Annie. " Bless
her heart she will like them, and I shall
have the fun. Now I'm your humble SER
want. Which one will you arrange?"
"The one for Mabel and Josie" Qittle
girls next door, said Lib. They'll like
something bright. White flowers and pinks
uiu loob nrattv In th;o bIua and ,,b;,a
basket, and I'll put some candies in the bot
tom. How pleased they will be Josie will
want to pat it and hug it, and will coax her
nurse to 'pease hang it thide Dosie's bed"
More baskets and several bouquets were
soon arranged. There" said Annie, " now
we will fix the prettiest one of all for our
teacher. She is so lovely Well do it
together, then we can each say, very inno-
Gently, can't we Honestly, Miss Wild, /
didn't do it,"
A slender, fancy basket had already been
purchased and ornamented with bows of
ribbon. In the bottom they placed a hand
full of choice confectionery. "Run down
stairs 'Lizbeth, won't you and get your
tea rose for the center that means always |
lovely Wen put some cherry leaves about |
the edge, for they indicate good education.
Here's lily of the valley, my favorite flower,
for happiness mint for virtue and rose
buds, dear, fragrant rosebuds, my pets all |
winter, for beauty"
"We'll put in these blue violets so as to |
modestly mention love- said Lib, "this |
pear blossom for affection and these white |
pinks to say you are fair That's all.
Now let's hurry"
Placing all they had arranged in basket, |
and arraying themselves in large, tattered
cloaks, and woe-begone looking hats, they |
stole out the back door and across the gar
den to another street, lest some one should |
see them passing out their own gate, who |
should afterwards mstrust it was they who |
hung the baskets.
There was light in Miss Julia's sitting
room. Leaving their load just inside the |
hedge, they went around to the sitting-room
window, and peeped through the stats of the |
closed shutter. There she sat, by a stand |
in the center of the room, quietly reading.
How shall we make her hear ?" said |
Annie. "You stay here and I'll try" Go
ing to the door Annie hung the basket on |
the knob, rang the bell several times quickly, |
and scampered back to the window. "She
doesn't hear" said Lib, try again" Annie
returned and thumped until her tender |
knuckles were blistered, but all was still |
within. Returning she whispered, 40 Lib
how | wish the bell was hung right near her
head; then I'd make her hear. III try
once more" and she rang the bell as vio-
lently as she dared.
A slight wave of sound did reach the nerve
of Miss Julia's car. Hastily starting nearly |
upsetting the stand, and scattering books
and papers in her confusion, she hurried to