Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-05-30

enough TO feel how warm and velvety II was
and how very small Not that l fingered
there to reflect upon these novel qualities in
the hands OF a ghost, and an old witch at
that, for you altogether mistake my bravery
in supposug IL but It was after had clear
ed the old wall at bound and was out on the
moonlit road walking at a rattling good pace
towards town that l recalled it.
From a state of intense cold had changed
to one Of burning heat. The touch Of those
soft fingers thrilled me through and through
as with an electric shock, aud walked faster
still in my excitement. Gradually the con-
seriousness forced itself upon me that held
something in my clenched hands There
first was a glitter and then SPARKLE as the
moonlight fell into the hollow Of my uptaised
hand, and saw there a gistenng ring set
with flashing stones The icicles began slip
ping up aud down my back again, and hur-
ried on again.
Some persons may be inclined to deride
my nervousness on this occasion, but assure
such that I am not naturally timid man.
have medal hanging in my room at home
which asserts that am not timid man, and
above all, l had always been particularly
void Of superstitious fear but truth compels
me to say that 1 not only lighted all the
lights on reaching my room at the little inn
that night, but turned them very high into
the bargain and that 1 made a systematic
inspection of all the closets, and removed
from its peg long cloak that was hanging
in a very suggestive position on the wall.
This done, sat down-with my back against
the wall-and examined the ring
1t was a quaint old ring, curiously carved
and massive. The setting was composed Of
several small colored stones set in circle
about a large diamond. My financial circum-
stances had rendered it unnecessary for me
to acquaint myself with precious stones and
their values so that could only surmise that
the ring was somewhat valuable Consider
ing the excited condition of my nerves by
this time, 1t was not strange that should
start when my eye fell upon the name that
was inscribed inside the ring-"Barbara."
l sat and mused upo the whole adventure;
what the crone had TO Id me, the graveyard,
the ring and (this was what returned to me
the oftenest) the thrill ing touch of that soft
hand in the darkness.
Perhaps should say right here that call
ed myself an old bachelor, and had never
been in love with any mortal l did not
think that was devoid Of sentiment or feel
ing, for often dreamed of love, and wor-
shipped beautiful things of my own fancy,
but my life had been thrown among boys
and men, and women were far away and
mystery. A motherless home a stern father,
q hard d-working students life at college,
stranger struggling for bread and reputation
in a great city-one can perceive how 1t
could be that l had made 30 few acquaint-
ances among women. In reality was only
twenty five, but much experience and busy
life made me feel older; so, as l said, called
myself bachelor.
have given this brief history of myself
in order TO prepare the way for another con-
fession. was falling in love with the owner
Of that soft warm hand.
1t is preposterous, but it is true. began
to doubt my reason. In vain l tried to re-
member that Barbara, the witch, was an old,
ugly woman. The only picture l could call
up was that Of beautiful young girl with
but words fail me only she was far from
ghostly, but was as warm and substantial and
full of life as that hand had seemed to be.
The ire-irons fell with an une arthly clatter
aud startled me out of my dreams l went to
bed to soothe my nerves with sleep, and lay
awake most of the night with the lamps
burning.
Fortune smiled upon me from that night.
Two years of busy life had passed, and old
BArbaras talsmaR was still unclaimed, when
one day-do you believe in love at first
sight? Well, if the first appearance of Wal
ter Wyman's sister had not conquered me as
she stood under the parlor lamps, a revela-
tion Of beauty and YOUTH the touch Of her
hand when she welcomed her brothers friend
would have enslaved me forever. Never had
touch SO thrilled me since-since held the
witch's hand in the graveyard. The same pc
culiar shock passed through me, and the
memory of that spectral night came over me
like a flash.
But did not start to tell love story. Let
me briefly say that fell in love, hopelessly
and ridiculously in love, and that 1 acted just
as all lovers have done since the world began.
1t doesn't matter much about a mans age.
At twenty-seven he will conduct himself pref
ty much as he would have done at seven
teen, and so 1 wrote verses and sighed, and
tormented myself with thousand hopes and
fears, and grew hot and cold by turns, and
wonderfully timid, and prided myself upon
concealng it all, when as a matter of fact,
the state of my feelings was perfectly appar-
ent to all of my acquaintance.
Matters were in this interesting state, when
one day an opportunity occurred of which
availed myself with a degree of skill and
presence Of mind that l am proud of to this
day. 1t all came about through asking the
young lady if she believed in ghosts.
81 suppose l should" said she laughing,
considering my experience"
Leave q woman alone to make an evasive
answer. OF course 1 implored an explana-
tion, and she related to me the following sto-
ry;
1T was about two years ago when party
of girls, Just home from school, were visit
ing friend down in the country. One OF
the girls had heard a foolish story ab out a
witoh's grave, and some nonsense about her
annual appearance, and a tslismsn, and when
expressed my incredulity, they braved me
| to put it to the test. What is the matter
The place A little town called Arlington.
"Foolishly accepted their challenge and
received terrible fright. carried out the
instructions and stretched my arm over her
| grave. II was so dark could see nothing,
but some one seized my hand. 1 was so be-
numbed with fear that 1 could not cry out
but could only fly through the lonely grave
yard to where my trembling companions
were awaiting me in the field. II was q fool
ish adventure for fell i'll, and it cost me a
valuable ring, which was left me by my poor
Aunt Barbara. For her namesake, she said
when she sent it across the sea to me. You
| see the ring was a little large for my finger
and was pulled of by-by-"
''By me" interrupted, taking the lost
ring from my pocket.
1t was time for Barbara Il forgot TO say
| that was her nRme) to be startled now.
| hope may say that 1 came out strong on
that occasion, told my story in a very i'm
pressive way, fingered over the effect of the
witch's hand ON my heart, spoke of the good
fortune the talisman had brought me, made
very pretty allusion to Barbara the witch re.
claiming her own-for she was not a witch,
after all, as l could testify, having felt her
charms-and finally not only offered to re-
turn the ring, but to give myself into the
bargain.
She took both.
|
An Early Summer IdyI.
| Now shy