Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-12-26
ISLAND POND VERMONT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26 1884

her readiness, but there happened to be
no accompanist. Miss Scamper, who
was chatting near by with Didymus,
looked up, and quietly said, " Perhaps
can serve that way, Mrs De Nyse."
"Can you play at sight, Miss ScsmperT
inquired Mrs. De Nyse.
Miss Scamper nodded assent, and seated
herself at the piano forte, and accom-
panied the voice with such good judg.
ment that the singer was delighted.
81 wish I could carry you abolt with
me, my dear" she sad. But do you
not sing2 You surely must"
A little"
Urged by all around Mis- Scampor, to
her own accompaniment, sang an ARIA
from II Trovatore.' Her voice proved
to be rich soprapa, of full register, clear
as a silver bell, and admirably cultivated.
There was a moments pause when she
had done, as though not to lose note,
and then storm OF applause.
Here was a sensation. Everybody
talked of her method and the gilded
youth were in rapturcs. The mammals
conferred, and concluded that Miss
Scamper was member of some church
choir, or attached to some English opera
troupe who knew' But they were civil.
There was party going over to Almont,
Colonel Parisfall's place, next day.
Would she go2 She 'assented. Didymus
said to her in low voice:
1t is riding party, Miss Scamper. l
know the best horse in the livery stable
here, and if you'll permit me, I'll secure
it for you"
To which she replied in the same tone
Thank you, Mr. Dodd; you are very
kind; but have one at command already.
Get that for yourself"
Somewhat rebufed, Didymus cclored,
but she added, "Mine shall not disgrace
yOu," which was distinct intimation
that she expected him as escort. The
spirits of Didymus rose from zero to
blood heat.
The next morning, as the riders were
ready to start, groom, known to be one
of Colonel Parsifalps, rode up, leading a
magnificent blooded bay horse, equipped
with sidc-saddle. As they were admir-
ing the animal, Miss Scamper, in neat
riding habit, made her appearance. The
groom took off his hat. Didymus, not a
little astonished, put forth his hand, and
the lady vaulted to the back of the horse
with easy grace. The cavalcade set out,
Miss Scamper and Didymus together,
and being bettermounted than the others,
were soon at the head Of the column.
About mile from the Springs there
was bar in the way. A lofty tulip-trhe
had been blown down during this night
and had fallen across the road, the trunk
well up on account Of the wide roots.
Some one had already cleared a way by
letting down fences on the roadside; but
Miss Scamper did not go around with the
rest She faced the trunk, the horse
went over, and then trotted on. Didy-
mus faced it too. His brute got over,
but half stumbled. Didymus was coun-
try bred, had ridden horses to mill bare,
backed, and was half centaur when a
boy; so he brought his horse up.
Miss Scamper smiled approvingly.
Everybody admired the ease and grace
with which Miss Scamper managed her
horse, and Didymus more than every
body.
When they arrived at their destination,
the party dispersed in the house and over
the grounds. They found old Scamper
there. He had gone over before in a
carry-all. Almont was the property of
Colonel Almont, aud was for sale, with
its fine blooded stock of horses and cat,
tie, its furniture, its library, and every
thing in the house and around it. The
colonel and his family were in Europe,
and intended to stay there while he edu-
Gated his sons at Heidelberg. So he
offered the whole--a house that cost a
hundred and thirty thousand dollars,
with all its Offices of all kinds, stables,
palmery, grapery and greenhouses, fur
niture made to order, and over twelve
hundred acres of land in high state of
cultivation ''for, as he said in his let
ter, "a mere song" So it was; but as
it was set to the tune of three hundred
thousand dollars, there were few who
could render the music.
They all admired the place. The
agent, who was there, seized on the
Scampers and Didymus, to whom he
showed everything and explained every
thing Didymus was amused at this,
and whispered to Miss Scamper, ''He has
picked out the only three who could
certainly not buy it. Miss Scampcr,
by the twinkle in her eyes, evi-
IDENTIFY appreciated the fun of the situa-
lion. Then the agent seized old Scam
per, and dragged him off to look at the
blood horses and imported cattle, leaving
Didymus and the girl together
"How do you like the place, Mr..
DoddY" inquired she.
Like it, Miss Scamper! Why, it is a
garden of Eden; that is, it would be so
to me, if l had it with an Eve in it," 81.
The young lady smiled, and said;
"You like country life, then, Mr..
DoddW
Naturally" replied Didymus. 81
lived in the country until | was twenty
two / was born and bred there. l
should have been there yet but for the
death of both my parents. | went to the
city in search of fortune. | have done
very well for the last seven years, and
have put little by; but to covet place
like this is like wishing for the moon"
THE country is the place to live in
and the city to work in," said Miss
Scamper, sententiously.
"To live in, grant you, if you have
the means--a good farm and money to
work it. Otherwise you toll harder in
the country than in town, with less com
fort and less profit"
Then they disconrsed on rural
topics, with q marvellous unity
of sentiment, until the venerable
Scamper and the agent got back,
which was at the time the whole party,
each with a nosegay. furnished by the
gardener from the greenhouses, was