The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-12
THAT BLESSED RuRGLAn

A sunny afternoon in May, with
south wind waiting through the opel
easement the fragrance of apple bios
SONS, with birds carOling amid the dens
foliage of the trees, with insects hum
ming among the flowers, and |, sitting II
a great, easy chair, in the bay window o
my uncle's sitting room, was fairly revel
( ling in the bliss of such perfect day.
! At eighteen one can enjoy intensely
and was an enthusiastic lover OF thl
| beautiful, both in nature and art.
Left an orphan at an early age, haC
scarcely realized my great loss; for m!
mothers brother, who was physician
had taken me to his own home, and haC
cared for me and educated me.
! He had been to me like a father, and
gave him the love and gratitude ot my
whole heart.
He had never married. Indeed, Ii,
seemed welded to his profession; anC
DR.. James McGregor was considered one
of the most skillful surgeons in the coun
try.
was quite alone. Uncle James hat
gone to visit his patients and Mrs. Har
ris, the housekeeper, and Mary, the sec
Ond girl, were in the kithen.
Not alone either in certain sense, fol
on small table beside me, lay pile OF
story papers, which contained a whole
serial by one of our most popular
authors, and had settled down comfort
ably for veritable literary feast.
A.door leading from the sitting room
on to the piazza, stood invitingly open
but was SO completely absorbed in my
story, that took no note of time, till q
shadow fell across the floor, and looked
up, to see gentleman standing in the
doorway.
He raised his hat gracefully, as ! arose
Then, small parcel in his hand, which
had caught my eye, made me hesitate.
He saw my glance and intuitively drew
an inference.
"Yes,n he said, smilingly, for he had
rightly interpreted the expression that
must have shown ON my face, Il am one
of those dreadful agents! but please
don't condemn me without hearing
will not bore you, nor waste much OF
your time; for the work which am sell.
ing will stand on ITS own merit.n
He was so courteous, so unlike many
of his profession, that | could not well
refuse to listen to his story and an eX.
animation of the book proved its well
founded claim to public favor; and al
though did not become purchaser, he
thanked me for endorsing it with a
favorable opinion.
Perhaps he would call again, when DR..
McGrcgOr was at home, he said, and then
he went away.
From the window | watched him rs he
went down the avenue that led to the
public road.
A fne-looking man, and he moved Will
an easy, careless grace that was quite il
keeping with his appearance.
My preconceived opinions of agents
had undergone change, though still my
deep rooted prejudices suggested that hC
was only an exception to the genera
rule.
returned to my story, but somehow
it failed to interest me; and after yawn
ing over it istlessly a few moments.
dung the paper down pettishly, with thu
feeling that that agent was to blame foI
my eRnU.
1t was useless to read while such {
mood was upon me, and putting on IN!
shade hat, | went to the garden.
Early flowers were already in bloom
and their fragrance filled the air.
spent half an hour lettering among
| the flower beds, and went back to tht
house with my hands full of floral beau
ties, which ! proceeded forthwith to ar
range in the Bohemian vases ON the sit
ting room mantel.
The warm, outdoor air had made M
lrowsy, and picking up the last install
nent of my story, threw myself upol
the lounge to read, in the idle, care-foT
nothing fashion thar delighted in.
A few sentences were read interest
edly, then my paper dropped to the ilooI
my story was forgOttcd, and fell asleep
"Why, Marian
1t was my unclc's voice, and sparn
TO an upright position and rubbed m
eyes. ,.
Twilight was settling upon hillside am
valley, and had slept long time.
Uncle James was looking down pleas
lntly through his blue glasses.
'How soundly you slept, Marian," h
said. "Any one might have entered til
room and picked your pocket withou
your knowledge
| yawned. without giving much hee
to the possibility be suggested, and the
we went out TO supper.
After supper we went back to the 81
ling room. and an hour was spent |
playing and singing Old Scotch ballads
For Uncle James McGregOr was
ScOtchman born, and no songs, to Inn
were like those of his own native land.
Then he put on his hat and spnn
,vercoat. and as he was going out. j
said:
Don't sit up for me, Marian, for
have q ten-mile ride yet to take before
sleep
poor. tired uncle!" | said, as | stoC
on tiptoe and kissed him goodbye.
He was all had, all of kith or kin, II
mothers brother, and we were all Il
world to each other.
No lover had ever come to me, and
often told Uncle James should new
leave him.
1--WE shall see, lassie, when the rig
man comes woOing," he would answc
But felt sure that | should live
single life. And why not? Uncle Jam
needed me as no other man ever coul'
and he was so good and kind. 1t won
: be beautiful to devote my life to his ha
, |, piness.
Twilight deepened, and | lit the ga
and drew down the shades. The mo'
did not shine, but thought it was u
usually dark, and stepping out on {
: piazza, | discovered that n shower W
fast gathering.
poor Uncle james! but his top bug
will protect him, and FREELY is sucl
fast trotter," | said to myself as ! we
indoors.
Then, instead of finishing my story
thought | would take my unclc's advi
and retire early.
The housekeepcr and Mary had go
to ride, and was quite alone in {
house.
But had often stayed alone, for I'M
James profession called lin at all tin
of diy and night, and fortunately ! "
not timid.
Standing at the dressing-casc in !
own room, which opened ilom the !
ting room, ] began to take down
heavy mass Of golden hair.
Just then there came vivid flash
lightning, followed almost immediat
by terrific peal of thunder. Big dr'
came dashing against the window;
storm was upon us.
As | stood looking at my reflection
the glass, q slight stir caught my eye.