Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-07-27


Once resting in the large feather-bed,
the coverings drawn up to his chin, and
his handkerchief knotted around his head
lac said to himself:
"Sleep, Iacharias, sleep. You are very
tired, you have great need of rest.
And lac was going to S eep, when, reopen
ing his eyes and thinking of Charlotte, he
said, "NO; ] am not weary! | am only
twenty years old Yes, my heart is but
twenty! Oh! / will not be so foolish as to
shut myself in the libraries, and spend my
youth upon the Pandects and Commenta-
ries of Alta. ] am in love. / am going
to be happy
Soon The good old man was sleeping
profoundly. Even till nine O'Clock, h,J
nap lasted. The old guard reGnterng the
house from his matutnal tour OF inspection
of the wOOd-chOpping, of the nets in the
river, and of the snares in the brushwoOd,
uneasy not to see his guest, entered his
chamber, wishing him good morning.
Then, seeing the high sun, hearing the
loud singing Of the birds in the foliage, the
good man, little ashamed of his Boosting,
arose, deprecating his fatigue from fishing,
and the hearty supper Of the evening
"Ah! Monsieur Seller said the guard
forester, ait is quite natural. | would like,
also, to have a good morning nap, if ii
were not a necessity to be on my feet.
What | need, you know, is young son-n-
law, solid, wideawake fellow, to take
my place. / would willingly cede to him
my gun and sack
Iacharias felt much disturbed at these
words. Having dressed, he descended.
The good Christina awaited him. Char
lotte had departed with the lawmakers.
The breakfast was short, and the Judge,
having thanked these good people, retook
the road TO Stautz, meditative, recalling
the anxiety which Mademoiselle Theresa
must have felt, yet not being able to deiach
himself from his visions, and the thousand
charming illusions which enyeloped his
soul.
1t is useless to paint the reception that
his worthy housekeeper gave him, her re
prOaches, her anger even: "she had not
closed her eyes all night: she had believed
monsieur drowned in the river: she had
sent ten persons to seek him. etc. etc.
Monsieur Seller listened calmly to her
complaints, as formerly to those of an ad-
vocate pleading a lost case. In his state
Of mind the sulkings of Theresa were
nothing.
BY autumn he had acquired such a habit
of being at the house of the forester that
the old guard attributing his visits to his
love for fishing, found himself strongly
embarrassed in accepting the presents
which the worthy magistrate gave him, in
compensation for his daily hospitality.
Besides this, Monsieur Seller wished to
share his occupations, he wished to fol
low him in his inspections; to join in all
their excursions in the Grindervald and
Entlebach.
Yer Forester shaking his head, at times,
said:
a never knew a better judge, a more
learned man in all things. one of greater
integrity or more respected than Monsieur
Seller. Formerly. when | delivered my re-
| ports to him, he always praised me, and it
/ is to him that owe my grade of brgadier,-
but, said he TO his wife, ~ believe that the
mind of this excellent man is getting child
ish. DOyou know, the other day he wished
to help me build the bird houses. lie shows
nervousness, a singular activty-and
then he goes to aid Charlotte in turning
the hay, with all the peasants laughing at
him. Truly, Christina, that does not suit
me,-above all, such a person. | do not
dare TO say anything to him, he is so far
above US. And then, do you know he
wishes to force me to receive a PENSION
and such a pension-a hundred forms a
month. And that silk dress that he has
given Charlotte for her birthday! Do they
wear silk dresses in our valley? Is a silk
dress suitable for the daughter of a guard
forester?"
All said the woman, "let him do as
he wishes. He is pleased with us,-every-
thing is so simpe,-with little milk, a
little honey, this good Zacharias is content
IN ha fFu 1,. = oil IL l., e ,1.l
housekeeper, in his large mansion; while
here our little girl cares for him. Who
knows? He will finish, perhaps, by
adopting her, and if he dies, she will be
remembered in his will
The guard, not knowing what to say,
| shrugged his shoulders; to- his common
sense it seemed mysterious; but he had no
suspicion of the folly of the good man.
one fine morning, he saw descending the
hill from Bigelberg wagon laden with
! three large casks of old wine of Rikevir.
OF all gifts that could be bestowed upon
him, this was the most agreeable; for Yeri
Forester loved above all things glass of
good wine.
That warns one said he, laughing
And when he had tasted the VINE, he could
not help crying:
the most honest man in the world. He
wishes to fill our cellar! Charlotte, 90 cut
the most beautiful flowers in the garden.
Cut all the roses, do you understand
most beautiful jasmines! You shall make
a bouquet, and when he comes, you shall
present it yourself. Charlotte, Charlotte.
Hurry He is coming with his long fish
ing-pole."
"Yes, father"
The good man appeared upon the hill
under the shadow of the pines From
distance, Yeri Forester, raising his voice,
cried: "To the health of the best man ]
know. To the health of our benefactor!"
Zacharias smiled. Christina was pre-
pairing supper; young rabbit was roasting
on the spit.
The eyes of the old judge beamed with
satisfaction; but when he saw Charlotte
running through the paths of the garden,
and gathering the flowers, when he saw
her appear with her large bouquet, which
she humbly presented to him, with eyes
lowered, saying, monsieur, will you ac-
cept this bouquet from your little Char
lOtt?'-then sudden blush Redeemed his
venerable cheeks, and as she bent to take
his hand, "Oh. no, my dear child, said
he, ''no,-but accept from your friend
your best frend,-a tender kiss
/ AVal I,.a L I,r,v. Il, IL