The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-07-27
PERSEVERANCE"

Just at the instant of sunset the
light broke through the leaden masses
OF cloud like Lett of brass, red, threat
ening, yet most welcome. For there,
darkly outlined against the sullen glen,
stood little cabin, with its thread-like
wreath of smoke curling upward, and
an old fisherman sitting mending his
nets on bench beside the door.
And MIR. Cheston, who had been
wandering hopelessy among the
marshes for some time, with a lively
sense of the inconvenience of getting
lost in those saline deserts, stood and
stared at it as if it were will-o'-the-
wisp
I'm sure it couldn't have been there
five minutes ago." lie pondered within
himself.
"Evenin', stranger - said old Zadoc
Peck. "Been a shoo.in', Ell?
1--WE lost my way" said Cheston.
plunging through the Ia! reeds, until
at last he gained a secure footing by
the cabin door.
"Well, thought likely" commented
Zadoc. CANT many folks come here
a purpose.
"CCuld / obtain a nights lodging
and some supper?" limited our weary
sportsman.
81 guess So" serenely answered Mr..
Peck, if you don't mind sleepin' up
garnet. AS for supper, Perseverance
has gone out to dig clans for us. Like
baked clam, ell ?"
Ills son." thought the major.
"What a quaint couple they must
be-"
But he sat down in the red light
and looked at the mOrning-glory
vines trained to the window, the busy
fingers of the old man, the murmur-
ing wilderness of reeds and PUSHES be-
yond.
"That's right" said Zadoc. "Set
down and take it easy. Perseverance
will be back pretty quick with the
clans, and then you'll get some good
hot supper. Perseverance is master
hand tO. cook"
Perseverance" came presently, but
to Major Cheston's infinite surprise
she was no lubberly boy nor half-civi-
lized young man. but a tall, blooming
maiden of sixteen, with jetty hair float
ing down her back, large dark eyes
long dashed and almond-shaped, and
like skirts revealed shapely brown feet
yet bearing the impress of the we,
sands where she had waded out to dig
CLANS and on one arm she carried {
basket of clans whose weight would
have been no tritie even to the stall
wart muscles of this major of cav
airy.
She was not at all embarrassed b,
thepresence Of stranger, but CANT
frankly up to him, setting down he
basket to examine the contents of hi
game-bag.
"You've had poor luck, stranger
haven't your" she said, pityingly
81 could ha' done better mysel
on them marshes at this time O year.
Perseverance is first-rate shot,
chuckled the old man. go now
girl, and cook us some supper"
The roast clans, coffee and cor
bread were most palatable, and afte
supper Major Cheston gave Persevel
ance newspaper from his pocket.
at is this mornings" said h
"Would you like to see p
But she motioned it away.
81 can't read" said she, indiffe
emily.
"You cannot read =" echoed I'll
amazed major. "Why, how old al
your"
"Sixteen," Perseverance answere
reddening.
"My sister Kate is only sixteen
said Major Cheston, speaking withol
due reflection, land she reads al
writes four different languages, pla
the piano and guitar. draws aad paint
and
"Pshaw - said Perseverance, arc
ing her slender neck. Can size sho
black duck and curlews?'
"That is hardly one of the accol