The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-02-23
SAVED BY A WIRE.

~sre broad stripes Of violet add cafmine
across the eastern sky, which faded ia'o
golaen haze that reached 10 The 1eni'h.
bu, While all sboui me exclaimed upon i.s
beauty. vas silent, for ! felt thrill OF
anguish, sep, by that mysterious chsin
which links our present TO our past
l have forgotten . thousand happy
hours. bu, The saos aad storms OF more
than tveniy years have failed to dim those
sensaiiops Of despsir With which once
saw the sky painted 10 brilliant colors by
the rising sun.
Ix1 sbout seventeen al the time. a
romantic. visionary boy. With only one
very marked taste. and that was decided
dislike for hard work. 10 fact. when
remember myself. / am unable TO Judge
any lad harshiy, however preposserous 10
his ideas. or foolish in his conduct
When my father died be left me- pen
niless, friendless orphan. to the care Of
his brother. my Uncle Jabez. whose great
ranch 10 California had been for some
time one Of my 'brsgs" among my school
fellows. -,
had bad lonely. cheerless child
hool, so monotonous that greeted with
lively delight the prospect OF journey
by sea-no 'Oyerlsnds" 10 those days =
with its promise OF tropical scenery and
fruit, perhaps OF romance aud adventure
With still more rapture ] looked forward
TO meetiny my cousin Tyler. who was
sbou, my own age, and with whom l was
quite ready TO swear eternal friendship;
indeed, unable TO restrain my srdor, sent
him long letter. which l considered eI-
tremely elegant. having composed it with
the greatest care, ii was signed; Your
brother 10 arms, after knightly fashions:
It was hardly appropriate for at the time
| did not know rife from shot gun; q
pistol had never seen until purchased
one in New York as preparation for my
Journey, aud then never dared TO load 1t
for fear it would go of in my pocket
All my golden dreams of adventurous
Journey aud knightly brotherhood were
destined 10 fade to very dull tints. ] was
des sperately seasick and mortally afraid OF
the great rats with which the vessel
swarmed and which disputed with me the
possession OF my cabin; no pirate appear
ed. no storms blew; l cared nothing for
pineapples, and was glad enough to
stand on firm earth again.
As for my cousin Tyler be did not come
up to my expectations by long way. He
was short, muscular fellow, uneducated,
his face burned by the sun to the color Of
q brick: and his manners were extremely
uncoutb, not TO say repulsive. His only
idea Of civility was broad grin, but when
he meant inciyility be had wide variety
OF accomplishments
we'll remember the shock Of our first
meeting; though somewhat repealed by
his prinnng face. was determined to
like him. and advanced with my hand
stretched out, saying cordially; Cousin
Tyler, believe. !"
Without noticing my proiiered hand, he
said in a voice about as melifluous as that
OF . buzz-s saw:
aver biegern / thawt yer was
"Wby p, / asked. dropping my hand,
considerably abasbed.
Cos. yer sad'n yer letter yer was In
arms" he replied, with loud gufiaw
that brought the blood to my face with
rush.
His laugh was echoed by another al
most as harsh, but 10 somewhat higher
key, and slaucing up saw before me
counterpart Of Tyler, only smaller and
Younger, who was at once introduced to
me as cousin Tibby, believe
Her suuburned face was crowned with
an abundance Of red hair which was partly
hidden under mans hat-a huge
sombrero; she wore canvass hunting
coat, which was anything but spotless,
and in her hand she carried shotgun.
"Bullo |" she said. You've got along
have yer? I'm a going down to the
marsh alter rail You want to see me
mount ?"
And without waiting for an answer she
ran into the barn, resppearing in mo
ment mounted sstride on the back OF o
brndle COW.
With her free hand she grasped one
horn, with her heels she dug hard into
the animals sides, yelling boArsely. "Ges
up, Josie ! Get along Show Boston
your PAGES T
The sight was 80 grotesque as the strange
steea galloped awkwsrdly out OF Tue
ward. the great hat hapPing and the shot
1 gun swinging. that my breath was fairly
taken away with astonisbment, and did
not realize until some time after that Tib
by, in 9 moment OF inspiration. had nick
named me Boston. To this day the name
cliuss TO me 10 the family, As Dicknsmes
sre apt to cling whea they bit the mark
NO doubt my prim manners and formal
speech, my soft hands snd city made
clothes, made Boston" seem peculiarly
appropriate.
watched libby out Of sight. and then
looked Al Tyler in blank smszement, as
much at loss what TO say and do as II
had been suddenly landed IN the midst oi
sayAses; at this iuncture was glad to
hear my uncle's voice calling to me iron
the door Of the kitchen 10 come and have
something TO eat
Aant JAae greeted me with some show
Of kindness, which seemed like tenderness
after Tyler's reception, and instantly wor
my lonely and homesick heart
This affection vas siter~ard modified,