Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-03-27
ON SKATES.

'Tt amt the way was brought up, p"
said Mrs. Gerard SIN the days when
was girl, we used to be satisfied to sit
down and sew, and make table linen and
bed quilts, against we got chance of a
good husband. We never went skating,
or rushed about playing lawn tennis. If
we had any leisure time after the cows
were MIXED, and the butter and cheese
looked after, and the homework done
up, we learned to use our needless
''But don't see any chance of good
husband for me, Mrs Gerard, said Syl-
via, saucily. "There are two single men
in Bustleboro, and one is the Methodist
minister, who is sixty odd, and the other
is old Jack Dodd, who hasn't got his
full wits, and has to be watched by his
little nieces and nephews."
T. "Who knows what may happen9" said
She old lady, oracularly.
81 wish my Cousin Chester would
come home" sighed Sylvia, leaning her
plump, white chin on one hand, as she
stared out over the wintry landscape.
"Perhaps," and her eyes sparkled mis-
chievously, che might fall in love with
mer'
Mrs. Gerard bristled all over at this
audacious suggestion.
"Fall in love with you, indeed" said
she. "Why you are the last person inthc
world l would consent to his marrying!'
Sylvia's countenance fell; she red
deued to the very roots of her hair.
She had been only in sport when she
uttered her words, but Mrs. Gerard had
evidently accepted them in good faith.
''Folks can't skate through life" said
Mrs. Gerard, satirically. "Nor get
cookery receipts out of novel books, nor
mend stockings with your fine Kensing-
ton-stitches. l want Chesters wife to
he a real helpmeet to him, not mill
stone slung around his neck"
"Well, you need not be alarmed, " said
Sylvia, flushed with unspoken resent
ment. Crest assured, Mrs. Gerard,
shall never marry your sonl"
"Then we'll both be satisfied" said
Che old lady, philosophically; land now
you'd better go and get those rolls Of
calico, and wen pick out some pieces fol
a patchwork quilt"
Sylvia glanced out at the diamond
brightness of the snow-covered fields
and wales.
ooh, Mrs. Gerard" said she, "thc
pond by Duton's Mill is crowded with
skaters, and the ice is perfect, and wa.
longing to go there this afternoonm
''All the loafers in the neighborhood
are there, and all the giddy- headed
girls" retorted Mrs. Gerard. "Its nj
place for you to be SEEN"
"Well then, mayn't I go down OF
the rivera" pleaded Sylvia, eagerly. d"
do 80 want to skate! Oh, it is exactl,
as if you were bird, flying through tn
keen, cold air and the sunshine! Mayn'
i go, Mrs. Gerard. Do say yes"
Il Mrs. Gerard compressed her lips.
81 never did approve of skating" sale
she, "and l never shall In my days
girls were girls and boys were boys"
"Horrid old woman!" thought poo
Sylvia, ready to cry. "But at least, sh
hasn't absolutely forbidden me. AM
the ice is like glass, and have bee
shut in the house for three days, chop
ping sausage meat and darning pillow
cases. Oh, must have one more skate
if die for it'll"
Sylvia Seton was Mrs Gerard secon,
cousin, who, deprived of her sole re
manning parent by death, had come t
live with her. She was not altogethe
dependent on her relation-in fact, sh
had hundred dollars year of her own
Enough" said Mrs. Gerard, ct
clothe you nicely and pay all the littl
odd expenses; and you can earn you
board and lodging by helping me aroun
the house-and be lot of company fc
me into the bargain. Bustleboro's a
awful lonesome place, and there's day
and days when me and the cat sits an
looks at each other all day long withou
soul crossing the threshold"
Mrs. Gerard was kind hearted oil
lady, full of generous impulses. Sylvi
was affectionate and clinging in her n,
ture. and yet the two women someho
did not agree.
Mrs. Gerard adhered steadfastly to til
traditions of past generation. Sylvi
had grown up according to newer light
and both of them were to certain d.
gree right.
OF all creatures in the world, Mr.
Gerard most loved and worshiped h
son Chester, who was in charge of a tel
graph station at thriving young tow
some ten or twelve miles away, an
Sylvia was fast teaching herself to di
like this paragon cousin of hers, althoug
she had never seen him but once {
twice.
She was thinking not very pleasant
about these things as she ran upstairs
get her skates. Presently she came dow
again.
Mrs Gerard" said she, 81 can't fin
my skates. Have you seen them9"
Where should l see your skates
said Mrs. Gerard, Grossly, as she stoopc
to pick up the brass-headed poker an
return it to its place by the fender. 81
you think want to wear emf"
sylvia went back for a second searcl