Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-05-18

There is Pringle's Flat" said Dick
suddenly pointing ahead.
"Surely we have not come seven miles,
Dicka"
Scarcely. How far is that ahead?"
| as it a mile, Dick?n
| Dick laughed loudly. "It's nearer four. "
al don't understand it."
"rhat's what the smart hunters from the
east say when they shoot and miss their
game. It's the atmosphere, Mary"
"It's small place" said his wife, as she
looked forward to Pringla's Flat, lying a
little below them. Beyond it there was a
ribbon of molten gold, made by the suns
slanting rays falling upon the river. "And
that is the river"
"Well be there in twenty minutes, said
Dick Hope. when want to introduce you
TO some of the incest people in this end of
the state"
The people Dick referred to received the
Young couple in manner that made Mary
| Hopes cheeks glow with qualification. Her
husband was a man universally admired -
as fine a specimen of his kind as was ever
produced west of Pringle's Flat. The
bride, during the two hours they remained
in town, created Il ripple of talk. There
was something about Dick and his wife
that made people turn to look at them.
When they drove away score of friends
waved good wishes and tossed kisses after
them.
Now for Dams Rock" said Dick as he
gave his mare the rein and cast back
ward glance at Pringle's Flat. Pretty,
isn't it?"
"Prettyw said his wife. "Why, Dick,
it's lovely! See the light on the church
windows; it looks us though it were really
on fire. The houses are so pretty, too, the
streets so wide, and there is such an air oil
peace and comfort about it Why, it is SO
wonderfully clean and neat,-just what a
painter would make if he were painting
towns to please people
| "Im glad you like it. That reminds
me; do you see that house above the
church, to the leftPn
"It looks charmiug-the prettiest house
there
"Glad you like it,"
"Why, Dick?'
at yours. bought it before | went
east for you. Wen look inside of it when
we return, if we have time"
That was Dick Hopes way.
The drive to Dams Rock occupied an
hour. Now for trial of your strength" "
said Dick as he tied his horse to tree at
the base of the great rock and assisted his
wife to the ground where they were to
lunch.
"Must climb up there, Dick?" said
Mrs. Hope.
That's the programme, what we came
out for to day. You've heard so much of
the view from Dams Rock that you want
to see for yourself Do you know you re-
mind me now of Parthenia fetching water
from the springP'
"Parthenia tanned her husband, didn't
she Dick! I'm glad your mother saved
me the trouble"
That was lunch Mary Hope often re-
called in after years. Dick persisted in
forcing all kinds of dantes upon her,
Irish fashion," as she said afterward. 1t
was the first time she had ever had him to
herself in the glad day with no curious eyes
to peer on them, and she subjected her lord
and master in her turn to such straits that
he gladly cried quits as he put his hair out
of his eyes and viewed his tormenter
Then the slowly mounted the ma 'sive
heap called Dams Rock. Such a view! A
sweep of forty miles in one direction, east,
and almost as grand Il view TO the west.
Dick sat down and handed his wife the
glasses as he lighted fresh cigar. "Do
you see that hill away off to the left there ?"
| Hasn't it a curious shape?"
That's where the wind comes from.
They manufacture it up there"
"What do you mean, DickP"
There's Il valley back there that extends
fully forty miles northward, where you
come to prairie land like ours back ol
Pringles Fiat only there is ten times more
of it. The wind rolls down the valley and
plays the very deuce with things on the
river about the Point. Sometimes it rains
and then you'd think the heavens were
emptying; all the water in the valley
sweeps down below US here, fills the valley
where it narrows there like the neck of a
bottle, and then-look out for trouble.
saw it.once; that is all | want to see"
"Is it so awful, Dick?"
at is really awful, Mary"
"And now it looks like-like the plains
of Egypt. | can't conceive of anything
disturbing the perfect peace of this beauti.
ful scene. See that cloud away off there
Dick"
About the size of mans handP see
it,"
"It's the only speck in the sky" said
his wife.
"lt's not like our sky, then," said Dick
as he kissed her standing on the very tor
of Dams Rock. "Do you know it is time
we were moving now?"
1--WE have only been here little while
"It's three hours since we stopped at the
foot of Dams Rock"
My goodness, Dickn'
That's what am always saying to my
self when | think you took me before al
the other fellows"
at can't be-"
Look for yourself" ," said Dick, holding
out his watch,
ats the grandest day of my life. Dick
| wouldn't have missed it for anything"
He gave her his hand and helped hel
down the rough places. Once in Il while
Mary would stop to gather bits of moss
and flowers rs mementoes of a red-lettel
day. At least an hour was consumed in
the descent. Then the got into they buggy
and turned hOmward, but not on the road
leading past brakes.
1--WE want to see all that can be seen,
don't wep" said Dick.
by all MEANS" answered his wife. as
she tied her hat loosely and prepared to
enjoy the ride home. but didn't your
father tell you to 90 home by Drake'sP"
1.-The other is the better road"
"You know best, Dick"
Dicks mare went at slapping pace.
"She smells oats" said Dick.
Look at Pringle's Flat, Dick"
pretty, isn't itP"
There is not a leaf stirring, one would
think. 1t looks so restful over there. 1t
might be deserted village"
ut does look unusually quiet now no.
tice. But then this sun is terrible See if
you can find our house over there. Mary"
There was long silence, then the young
wife gleefully pointed out the house, and
there was another long silence, which was
broken by Mrs. Hope saying suddenly,
"What is that curious sound hearP"
II hear nothing"
There! Do you hear it nowP'
Dick inclined an ear. They were fairly
clear of the rough land at the base of Dams