The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1891-09-18


dred feet above the sea level, protected
from great storms-a dreamy little eder
of quetude and peace. The people O
the region are, for the most part, simple
ignorant mountaineers, fifty years be
hind the age, independent. hardy, reti
cent. peculiar in dress and manner, but
brave. honest and true to their tradi
tons; in many respects not unlike the
peasantry of the south of France. The
men are great hunters, and you may see
them stalking through the woods with
the long hintlock rifles of IA century past
flung across their bony shoulders They
take to nothing new. With them prog
ress is an unknown word. A few fami
lies here and there are cultured folk
whom adversely or the pursuit OF health
has thrown into these primitive valleys
The lives of these cultured eXiles is dry
lonely and eventless. The Chenier fam
lily is good example. From months
end to months end their existence is
merely negative-that is, they are not
dead. The old mill is not more hum
drum in its rumbling and creaking than
is the daily round through which they
turn The elder members have the sad
satisfaction of remembering some days
Of glory, and they often talk over that
happy time Rosalie hears them; but it
is like reading romance. 1t charms
her without rendering her disconnected
She is imaginative, and often nurses
that roseate dream, indefinite though it
be. OF one day roaming away, beyond
the circling mountains. into the great
outside. the strong. Joyous. rushing
world.
II a letter is fascinating Of itself, indie
pendent Of anything it may contain, to
us who live in the full tide OF modern
progress. what must it be to one in the
deep seclusion Of a place like the
'pocketY' It is, until the seal is broken
mysterious messenger from an un
known country
Rosalie came down from her perch
upon the broken wall. and approached
her father as he began to tear open the
envelope which had been thrown to him
by the Young horseman. 1t was as if she
expected great tidings. message 81
charming import from some benign and
powerful parsonage far away some
where, anywhere. in that romantic
world beyond the mountains. The stil
in her blood was of that obscurely ten
der sort which barely tinges content
ment with longing or hope or indefinite
desire.
ut is from Marguerite, said Colonel
Chenier. as he slowly unfolded the heavy
white unruled sheet covered over with
small, cralnped writing.
Aunt Marguerite?" quickly inquired
Adelaide, her face taking on look OF
rest.
Colonel Chenier's hand trembled as he
adjusted his spectacles A sort of ashen
gravity momentarily deepened in his
cheeks
Read it aloud, papa, cried Rosalie
but wait, I'll call mamma" she added
and without a seconds pause she ran
into the mill and soon returned leading
a pale, thin. fair faced woman, whose air !
was that of an energetic invalid. 4
1T is letter from Aunt Marguerite
exclaimed Adelaide. as her mother sat
down beside her. Rosalie remained
still holding the banjo in her
left hand. her sweet lips slightly parted
her eyes beaming with all child's sin
cere curiosity.
She.is coming to see u.s." said Colonel
Chenier, lifting his eyes from the letter
md looking into his wife's pale face, rs
# asking what she thought Of the star
ling announcement.
"Oh. obi" cried Rosalie, coming here
Is she really coming here?'
Coming here!" echoed Adelaide
A little color rose into the transparent
cheeks of Mrs. Chenier. but she re
NAMED silent.
What can we ever do with her
,apa?' said Adelaide almost petulantly
"Oh, I'm so very glad, exclaimed Ro
ale. her face emphasizing the state
nent with quick flush Read it aloud
o U.S.
Colonel Chenier looked over his glasses
t the radiant girl. and then, turning
Jack to the letter. began reading as fol
ows:
SAVANNAH. VA, May &
MY DEAR BRoTHER-l have at last deter
lined to write to yo1 again. OF course can
OF imagine why you have not answered any
my letters. Certainly filled each one of
lem with sisterly affection. Lately | have
sen nursing a fear that, since sent a small
amittance in the first one. five years ago. II
ay have been stolen, and the laine thief may
ave purloineG the valueless ones with the
ope Of obtaining further booty. Be this
ue or no, write to you now to say that am
ming to look for you, and to see for myself
wv you are getting along. General Fcrbes
,ur old commander. was here with Us for =
" or two, three years ago. and he told us
at he had heard that you were ruined, fnan-
ally, by the armies but he could not tell us
hat you were doing. have tried. In every
ny, to find out something about you. all in
lin. OF course, cannot rest content. You
y my own dear, only brother. and must not, ,
.annot. lot you get entirely away frum ms.
.ver to see you Er hear from sou any moro. 1
'pe this will reach you all right. ~hall fol-
W 1t In the course of week or two. 50 you |
ny expect me. Mr.. Roosevelt will come with ,
y. He will b. the better for the mountaip
r. poor man. Lately his RAILROAD schemes
we caused him world Of vexation. Some
lglsh and Dutch capitalists have combined 1
try to thwart his Florida plans; bus q last .
has formed an alliance with soms Chicago
d New York men, and the worst seems
er. Ills health Is hurt. however. and have I
ade him promise to come with me Into your !
lishtful mountain region. Ah stre
As write. grow childishly impatient to | ..
you and Sue and Adelaide. What Is your
ungest daughters manner You know have | q
yer seen her. II she Is at all liks Adelaide. 4
hall love her dearly. hope Sues health
good. | used to fear II would entirely fail.
You need not answer this letter. as we shall u
ut once to Augusta where Mr., Roosevelt q