The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-08-04
THE OLD WE'LL.

$50 You want TO know if ever had a
romance?" aaid Aunt Margaret, lean.
ing back in her easy chair, with mild,
reflective look upon her peaceful face
"Aes. something did happen to me
once that may seem like one 10 Won.
though L never though of calling it bv
that name."
Lets hear il, auntic, please" / All
swcred, pushing the velvet hassock
nearer to her, and giving an extra
shake TO the bright coal fire.
The night was somewhat cold and
clustering outside, but that only made
Aunt Margaret's room, with its warm.
hued furniture, lis softly cushioned
easy chairs, its glowing fire and shad-
ed astral lamp, look all the more invit.
ing.
Sne was distant relative WHO aad
como to pay us long promised visit,
and from my first glance at her fine
stately figure and her noble, placid
countenancc, knowing that she had
never married, got tho idea into NV
mead that she must have had q ro-
nance. Her hair was still brown and
abundant, while her eyes shone clear
and blue as young girls. Aud vet
Aunt Margaret was past fifty.
swell, my dear" she began, smiling
softly, "once upon time, as the story
books say, was young, and consider
cd rather pretty"
"Oh, no need TO tell me that, Aunt
Marguret," 1 interrupted, gazing with
unieigned admiration at the handsome
face into which a delicate rose color
came SO brightly at the memory of her
slriiSh loveliness. "You might easily
carry of the palm of beauty from us
now, if You felt SO inclined"
She smiled again as she saw how sin.
cere was my tribute TO her charms,
and resumed her story:
81 had of course my share of admir-
ers among the village youth, and was
great iavorite at balls, quilting parties,
husking bees, and all tho other enter
'alnments of village society; yet
reached the age of twenty, heart whole
and fancy free. still keeping housc for
NY widowed father, as had done al.
most from childhood and never caring
TO make any change"
"Because the right one hadn't come
along, anntie," l said, eagerly, think
ing of my "bonnie Charlie" with his
curly locks and lightsome heart, and
wondering how girls in any age of the
world could have loved, married and
lived happily without ever having
known the sunlight of his presence.
"Well, Madge, he came at last" con.
linued Aunt Marguret, with gentle
sigh which seemed to waft her far
back into The happy past, "and the
manner OF his coming was one that I
can never forget. Oar house stood at
one end of the street, and in far cor.
ner OF the lot stood the old we'll, neg
lected and unused for years, save by us
silly girls, who found it romantic
spot to try our fortunes by on Hallow-
cen. But il WAS very dangerous, be-
ing unprotected by curb or fence, and
standing, as it did, close TO the public
road, l had often begged my father to
make it mole secure, but he neglected
it until my prophecy of danger from il
was fulfilled.
"Onc dark, starless evening in Octo-
Der, returning from II visit to neigh
bor's, | was passing the old well, when
suddenly low groan of agony caught
my ear. Instantly realized the awful
truth that some traveller had fallen into
the dark and dangerous pit, and my
heart stood still with horror. But on
ly for moment. / saw the need of i'm.
slant action, and, leaning over the edge
OIL the black, yawning hole, called
loudly TO the person within not to de-
spair' for 1 would soon bring him as
sistance.
"Then rushing 10 the house, and cal
ling wildly at every step for help, 1 be-
gan an eager, trembling search for
rODc, which | soon had knotfad f;,.,I.