The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1916-01-28
THE BUSH RANGER
EDITED BY SITTER JOHN

south-wes conner of that state of !
our union, made classic by Daniel .
Boone, there stood, facing the main
street, two houses of neat and tasty
architecture. These were separated |
by broad, well-kept lawn, magnif-
Gently shaded to withstand the long
summer heat that prevailed in that
latitude. This lawn extended back
from the street several rods, gradu-
ally sloping down to small pebbly
brook that came down from the hills, !
several miles away. In these two
homes dwelt two families that were
great friends, each southern born !
and bred, and each having all the
pride in their homes and families
that was commensurate with good |
breeding. In one family there dwelt
little girl of six summers and in
the other boy year older. They
shall be designated here as
JENNIE AND I.
Jennie was a sweet-faced little girl
with curly locks and speaking brown
eyes, replica of her handsome
mother who took an intelligent pride
in the training of the daughter.
And I? you ask, well, I was a
boy, 1.-the and full of life.
Under these conditions it will not
appear strange that Jennie and I
became daily companions, especially
in good weather, under sunny skies
where all young delighted to gambol.
This grew upon us as the days and
monthsS and finally the years went
by. For five years we were daily
companions, never separated save
only when we were safely tucked in
our little beds and sleeping under
the devoted care and watchful eyes
of our mammals. These were sweet,
childish days that cal never come to
us again only as we live them over
after overhauling memory's cham
bers.
The history of these five years
would not be complete did I leave
out the fact, the golden fact, that in
all these years Jennie and / never
quarreled. We had no fallings out
and making up spells and never tried
to spite each other. This is why [
coll the fact golden. I might better
say it was like diamond dropped
from the skies. It sparkled in the
morning dew and under the rays of
the midday sun. The neighbors call
ed us little lovers. Perhaps we were
but not in any worldly sense. Pas
sions had no dominion over us and
our little lives ran as smoothly as
the waters of deep river, unrufied
by wind or storm. I ask my little
readers, boys and girls, to note the
fact that when I look back and re-
count the scenes and incidents of a
long life there is no spot in it's an
nails that stand out in brighter, fade
less colors than this one of childhood
days.
Thus passed five years of two
young lives and then, ali then fate
or memorable circumstances, that
often seem SO cruel, separated us
and placed us long distance apart.
But the memories of those days can
never be obliterated and if, Jennie,
we shall meet, as we hope to do, on
the shining plains of eternity, hand
in hand we'll seek some grassy knoll
and sit down and talk it over. But
where, 0 where, shall we begin
Memories store houses are crowded
to overlooking with scenes and Incl
dents in our young lives. I may
tell you of the times, on the lawn,
when | would try to stand on my
head and you would run up and
push me over. Then I would catch
you and roll you over and over al
most to the brook. You would
laugh, sometimes cry, but I would
soon kiss the tears all away. And
you would tell me of the time that
stubbed my toe and how I cried.
| 0, it did hurt, Jennie. I can al
most feel it now and you seemed to
| feel If too YOu rnhhed IL and kioo