Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-07-26
NOTES FROM OUR NOTEBOOK,

W much where one "stays," as
they say in "DiXie,n if there is
only an expected homecoming,
after time. To be sure there
are some people who claim to have lost
all such feeling and who confidently as
sure us that they are at home any,
where. We imagine, however, that in
some unguarded hour, a familiar face,
or song, or incident will betray them
into a display of interest or emotion,
quite uncalled for, and so we leave the
matter then to doubt. Many of us who
love New England and her rocks and
rills better than any other place in the
world, are forced to admit that her
winter charm has in great measure
gone, with the glamour of our youth
full days, and that its breezes, chilled
by snow-clad hill and ice-bound waters
bring us days of suffering, often shut
ting us within doors, prisoners for days
and weeks together. 1t is little wonder
then, that we are enticed to a more
genial temperature, to be found only a
few hours ride distant, and join our
friends the birds in their southwark
flight. In cozy cottage in the pine
woods we may rest and luXuriate in
summer days, through all the bleak,
eastern winter. But, after all, we only
stay for time. 1t is not our own
old home where we really live.
After winter sojourn, an April day
finds our cottage furnishing packed in
closer quarters, and the morning of our
departure at hand. We are awakened
early, and feeling of regret comes over
us, for the weeks have passed very
pleasantly in our retreat. Out door life
in the sweet piny air, has brought
strenth and healing, far from frost and
snow. Now we are to leave the restful
quiet, and enter the busy world again
with its crowded streets, and bustling
enterprises. We are not to leave until
s o. clock, but at comes the dray-
man, with volunteer helper or two;
characteristic of class who "take no
gle with the baggage, we partake of the
faithful Nancy, and hold an informal
reception of friends and neighbors.
They bring the sweetest floral offerings
until our hands are laden with these
expressions of good will. After the de-
parture of our kind friends, an excla-
nation of dismay from Nancy, attracts
our attention, as she stands by table
covered with parcels. allow, in the
name of goodness, is you going to carry
all this stuff" she asks Garry it, y
we repeated, ''what is it, and where
did it all come from?u "Why, the
people done bring it, for you alls lunch.
A hasty survey of provisions reveals a
nicely baked chicken, a toothsome look
ing cake, two dozen fresh eggs, box
of strawberries, a bag of Peento peaches,
dozen sour oranges and an ample
watermelon. Truly the problem of
transportation is serious one. Vain
are our longings and regrets. The well
packed lunch box is already in the car
riage, and a masculine voice shouts, "it's
time we were Off" We turn to Nancy
who never yet failed us, "Can you take
care of these things, so the friends will
not know we could not carry them, and
SO feel hurt?" eyes mann, don't YOU
fret about that, not one Of 'em ever
goin' to know it. I'll tell every one,
youse mighty pleased wild de lunch"
"Come. come" shouts the voice. We
turn back aud add by way Of caution,
''Be sure and not say anything that is
not true about it Nancy" Crust me
for that mann. Pm regular member of
the church you know, the foot-wash
Baptis', over yonder," and now we're
off.
nI1r ,,oIIIa taar, 70 lyoc nc ~, rroa1 tive