Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-12-31
A SEASH0RE LEGEND.

na )pN sum 1erS OF my youthful DAYS III
al Old seaport town, whose glory has
long since departed. Its fast decaying
wharves had once echoed to the tread of
busy feet, and many very stately ships
had been moored beside them.
Now. as in my childhood days, no
proud ship finds haven in the still
waters of its harbor; its deserted ship
yards ring no more with the sound of
AK or hammer; the busy hum of COM
merce is stilled, and silence, broken only
by the fisherman's call, or the merry
laughter of some yachting party, per-
vades what was once a very busy, thriv-
ing place.
But commerce has left traces of wealth
behind, and remember some oldfash-
toned, though stately, houses, standing
near the shore.
These were the homes of some of New
Englands famous sea captains, and in
one of these old houses l passed those
happy summer days.
The men of the family had all been
sailors, commanding some of the finest
and best known American ships. No
ports had been too distant for Them and
they brought home, as gifts, spoils from
every cline. Now. all these dead and
gone, the women of the family lived
alone surrounded by treasures from over
the sea.
The old friend who had charge of us
was very fond of children, and was never
happier than when relating to us the
stories of sea and shore with which her
mind was stored; and when a rainy day
came, driving us from the beach, we
liked nothing better than to listen to her
charming legends
will repeat to you, as nearly as l can
remember, the story of the elopement
that took place many years ago. AS l
recall it, seem to hear again the musical
voice, long since hushed, to which the
swapping of the driftwood fire upon the
hearth and the distant booming of the
surf upon the beach, formed fitting
accompaniment.
A long time ago. when I was little
girl, the events happened that am about
to relate to you. My grandmother knew
all about it, and often heard her tell the
story to the young folks, in my day, as 1
am telling it to you.
In that large old-fashioned house which
stands on the brow of Beach Hill lived
very wealthy gentleman, called Judge
Cushman.
l say he lived there. but he only spent
part of the time in the little town Of
s., for his business kept him in the
city during the winter months; but as
soon as the warm days came the house
would be opened, and he would ride
through the town in his big COACH drawn
by four horses and driven by colored
coachman.
The Judge was a widower, and lived
alone with his servants and an old house
keeper. So you may imagine the sur
prise of the villagers one day early in the
spring of 1912 when they heard that
Squire Cushman, as he was called, had
brought home with him lovely young
girl.
AT first all thought that he had mar
ried again, but soon the report was circu-
lated that his niece had come from Eng
land alone, with only maid to attend
her, to visit him. And long visit we
all thought it would be, for war had Just
been declared with Great Britain. and
probably there would be no friendly in
tercourse between the two countries for
a long time.
OF course all were anxious to see the
new conner, but none were gratified I'M
til the following Sabbath, when she ap-
peared at church with the old squire.
She was true English maiden, with
fair hair and lustrous blue eyes, and
complexion in which Lilies and roses were
skillfully blended by natures hand. She
was the observed of all observers, but
bore herself modestly, seeming uncon-
scious of the gaze of all around her.
Many were the questions asked many
the conjectures formed as to her pres
ence in the lonely house, so far from
home and in an enemy's country; and
finally the mystery was solved by the
old housekeeper, who divulged it as
great secret to friend of hers. an in
veterate gossip, who soon made the af-
fair the property of the whole neighbor-
hood.
Rose Cushman, the daughter of the
squires only brother, was a motherless
child. and had grown to womanhood
without knowing what it was to be re-
fused the slightest wish, for she had al
ways been her fathers idol He had
planned in her early childhood that she
should marry the son of his most init
mate friend.
But such designs are rarely accom-
plished. At the age of 10 Rose met a
young and gallant officer in his majesty 8
navy, and lost her heart almost at first
sight. The affection was reciprocated,
and, not dreaming of any obstacle, the
lovers plighted their troth with the
fondest and brightest hopes for the
future.
But the father of Rose sternlv refused
to consent to their engagement, and for
bale Rose ever to see her lover again.
But years of indulgence had not prepared
his daughter for such arbitrary measures,
and she continued to meet her lover Sc
cretly whenever she was able to do SO.
One meeting in the park near the house
was witnessed by her father, and SO in
censed was he by this open defiance of all
his commands that he ordered the brave
young sailor from his grounds, using the
harshest language.
Rose returned to the house, locked her
self into her room and was soon con-
vulsed with perfect passion of tears; for
under her sweet and charming exterior