Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-01-09


in the distance, over d long stretch of
undulating valley, dotted with fields of
grain, patches OF woodland, farm-houses,
and out. buildings, and herds of kline
grazing in their pastures. When supper
time came he found the comforts of the
inner man would be well cared for.
Whether Miss Lucy Ann Martyrs or the
plump hired girl who brought in the
dishes and waited on the table were the
cook, it was evident there was somebody
about who could cook. Scientist as he
was, the professor liked to eat. But is
not good cookery the sum of science
The next morning early the professor
Arose, aud abfoughs down his belt and
satchel, prepared for an exploring expe-
dition. To hisdelight he found his host
overhauling a similar equipment.
"You sha'n't have the best things
without sharing said the squire. 81
shall give you my time for to-day, and
after that you can paddle your own
canoe. You won't find any corundum,
which used to be abundant. | bagged
all that long ago, and made pretty penny
out of it, But you'll not lack specimens.
l saved lot of duplicate crystals, and
you can,pick and choose from them at
your leisure"
They made day of it, and the pro-
fessor came home at night with his sack
full and his pockets crammed. After
that he went alone, and explored the
neighborhood thoroughly.
A week passed on, and the professor
heard of quarry fifteen miles Off, which
abounded in kyanite and black tourma-
line. So he walked there to be absent
for two days.
1t did not turn out as well as he ex-
pected, and he started to walk back next
day. About noon he was within mile
of Martyrs Nest, and crossed field to
cut short turn in the road, when he
heard female voice crying for help.
He lookedup and saw young and pretty
girl mounted on the top of hay stack,
and making frantic signals for assistance.
He got over the fence to see the cause of
these extraordinary motions, when a
vicious looking bull pranced around from
the other side of the stack. The profos
sor got back again. He comprehended
the situation.
'Keep where you are" he cried, "until
I drive the bull off"
1t was superAuous advice, and
his purpose not easily carried out.
He threw stones at the bull;
but he was not to be diverted from his
object. The animal would prance for.
ward, below and then resume guard
over the stack
Then bright idea struck the profes-
sor. Linen haudlerchiefs are inconven-
lent for travellers, and for mineralogist
in particular, for they are bad for use as
sacks when satchel and pockets are full
He had provided himself with stout
silken bandanas, and had one in hi'
pocket. AS Alexander Dumas would
describe the affair."
1t vas of bright red.
He drew it from his pocket.
He waved it frantically.
The bull saw it, and made a dash TO
the offensive thing.
Run, young lady!" cried the pro
fessor from the safe side of his fence.
The girl ran, and got safely over tn
fence on the other side.
AS in duty bound, the professor wen
around, leaving the bull to his chagrin
and joining the girl, inquired if she wer
hurt.
''Not at all, SIR" she answered, "bu
very much obliged to you for your as
sistance."
She seemed to be going the same wa.
with himself, so the professor, who
though not "a marrying man." as tn
saying goes, was gallant, entered int
conversation with her. They driftet
from the weather and the scenery int
books and current events, and he wa
astonished to find how much the brigh
little lady knew. Who could she be
Some visitor, doubtless. Though plain
ly dressed, she had the air and manne
that showed her not of the type of tn
ncighborhood. He began to skirmish
find out, when she broke into ligh
) ripping laugh :,
81 beg your pardon, Sir" she said
"but l think know you. You are Pre-
fessor MacDougal, are you not:"
| He nodded assent, still more mystt
fed.
'We used your work on botany as
text book at st. Sebastians; but you
, excuse me for saying that / alway
thought you to be an old gentleman.
, only got home from the school last ever
) ing, and was returning from a visit t
a neighbor when that cross bull made m
D climb the haystack. am Hester Mar
tyns."
< The acquaintance thus made, the tw
grew quite familiar by the time the
= reached the Nest, where Hetty told {
| the adventure, and the professor dt
r clared that he would put the bandana
: lavender as a souvenir of the method /
V had employed to trick the bull.
That evening there was a visitor {
y Martyrs Nest. Mr.. lothian Jones,
: wealthy young farmer of the neighbo
hoad, made his appearance Jotha
s was the champion athlete ofthat section
and could outjump, outfit, and outwre
s tie any one in those parts. Lord of mar
. acres and herds of kine he had gre
8 confidence in himself, and swaggere
around out of doors. That night he 8
|. almost tongue tied, using little more tha
G monosylables. The professor, thoua
s he did not know that Jotham had know
). Hetty since she was child, and alwa
:, admired her, concluded that it was ca
# of courting, and so discreetly left tt
room and went to his chamber, where
o labelled and packed his specimens. TT
squire, however, remained, which was
|. sure sign that he did not regard Il
suitor with special favor.
% From that time forth lothian car
|, quite often. The professor, who saw
is deal of Hetty, and who, having turnl
IL his attention to plants, got from her t
location of scarce varieties, took speci
interest in the result of this siege.
!" have a pity for Hetty," he said to hi