St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-06-09
Seleeteh Story
A TALE OF NARRAGANSETT.


Then the summer sits in silence on
her golden throne, awaiting the ap-
proach of autumn. An early frost in
the lowlands sets the ma pies ahame,
and launches the thistle down on the
ba1my air. The golden-rods are in
their glory, made more gorgeous by
the tangle of the crimsoning black
berry vines in which they grow, and
the fringed gentian opens its azure
eyes to gaze at the sun.
1t was on day of this season,
about the middle of the last century,
that a young girl was walking down
Tower Hill. Her plain gray dress
and the white folded kerchief marked
her as belonging TIC one of the Qua
ker families of the neighborhood. In
her busy hands she had shiny knit
ting needles, and soft blue home-dyed
wool and the stocking was growing
as she walked gazing about her. At
her feet lay the sea, and across the
stretches of shining water the Win
dows of Newport cleaned in the af-
ternoon light. There lay Conanicut,
with it's beaver tail spread out, di-
viding the bay; and close at hand the
slow-fowing Pettaquamscut with
its reedy lowlands, where the tide
ebbed and flowed; and beyond the
fertile fields of Boston Neck. 1t was
all bathed in such sunshine and tenn
ing with such peaceful life, the girl
gave a long sigh of delight and con-
tent as she looked. Then suddenly
her eyes contracted, and quick i'm
patient exclamation escaped her.
Her soft brown eyes had dangerous
red CLEAN in them, and the little
head was held very erect as she came
to a sudden halt She stood notion
less, gazing apparently at the water,
making up the West Passage. She
looked and looked then as suddenly
her brown eyes filled with tears.
But the little head was still held high,
and lightly and quickly she started
on a full run down the hill Nothing
clears the mind so we'll as good
scamper, especially if it is on rough
country road with plenty of stones
to Jump over. She reached the foot
of the hill GREATNESS and painting,
but with no trace of either anger or
tears The ruddy color mounted to
her forhead; her moist hair chung in
tighter ringlets about her brow, and
the brown eyes were soft and sweet
again.
After this outbreak she went on
sedately enough, turning to the
right, and presently over a barred
fence and into an orchard. Then she
busted herself soberly gathering a
few late peaches, which she carefully
laid in little piles under the largest
tree AS she was STOPPING at this
task there was sudden rustling of
the leaves; and almost before she
could move, a tall, graceful young
fellow was bending over her and had
seized and kissed her hand.
Dearest" he said, kissing it again.
"John, have told thee thee musn' t
call me such Names" she said shyly,
and with a merry twinkle in her eyes
as she drew away her hand; cit sa-
vors ofexcess."
Then you must let me see you
oftener, dear"
But thee knows can't, John"
They sat down beside the peaches
and she let him hold her hand, while
her maidenly reserve no less than he1
Quaker training kept him at respect
full distance?
"And now tell me, Patty, how
they are at home.
There is no change-only did thee
know Roger Arnold has come
home?"
Roger Arnold be-" cried John
starting up. How do you know p
Thee can see his schooner coming
up past the Bonnet"
'Well?" said John almost sullenly
while his handsome face grew dark
Thee knows what his coming
means. Last night father told MT
he was coming, and he expected al
answer this time; and thee know:
what answer father wishes me tt
give" She looked at him appealing
", and her voice fell into a sighins
whisper.
Patty, you must let me go tt
your father. Am l not man too,-
and why can't take care of you p
Nay, John, nay. Thee know:
what he would say"
He would say my father was {
Frenchman, and that ne cheated hin
about the land, and that l was al
idle, good-for-nothing fellow"
He would say all that" said Pat
ty sadly, land he would say too tina
should never see thee again, and h
would make me marry Roger ArnolC
before he sails again"
Make you! | thought you were ;
girl of spirit!" said John angrily.
And so | am" answered Patt,
with kindling wrath then NOR
gently; "Thee don't know father.
would say l wouldn't but 1 would
No, John, thee must not be angry AM
thee must not speak to father"
A long pause followed. Johl
looked at her intently, his eyes soft
ening as he looked. Suddenly h
took from his game bag a sprig Q
blue geutian. He kissed it alnos