The Green-Mountain girls: a story of Vermont

Front matter

"It was quite dust, nearly dark, when the Doctor and Alida reached the Smug gler's Bridge ; so much so that they did not observe two men who came up from ^anothei woods path just as they reached the bridge." — PAGE 177.

T H K

GREEN-MOUNTAIN GIULS cai rv i A A>

Chapter I

Scenes upon the Vermont frontier during " the last war " — Stories about smuggling and Yankee smugglers — The sleigh ride— A new way to carry pork to mar ket 19

Chapter II

Vermont in Olden Times — Times Past and Present — Poor Mike ; a Poor Boy, but not a Poor Character — How " Outcasts " are Slade — A Scene with Mike and Alida — A Letter, and its Contents — Gratitude Illustrated — Conspiracy overheard, and Villainy Frustrated — Murder Attempted — An Escape — Tapping the Hard ware — Scenes with " Old Fox," the Custom House Officer, and the Wagoner — Smugglers' Tricks — The Cunning of Old Fox Outwitted by Dr. Field— The First and Last Kiss, 45

Chapter III

Another actor in the same scene— Alida'a surprise— Interview with Dr. Field— New developments — She needs a friend, and finds one in a smuggler — Dissertation upon distilling, duty and death, and its cause— Illustrations by the opening bud, the Canada thistle, the curling smoke, and magnetic power— A. kiss, and what of it, T4

VI . CONTEXTS.

Chapter IV

Day Dreams obscured by Dark Clouds — The First Doubts of Love — Reasonable Conclusions — The Truthfulness of Woman's Love — Constraints of Fashion — The Parson and his Mug of Flip — A New Vision of the Mind to Alida — Hope saves from Despair — A Foreboding Shadow — The Word of Mike against Deacon Brandon — A Miserable Vagabond — Who made him so? — Alida and her Mother talk about Education — The First " Woman's Rights Convention," . . 96

Chapter V

The old still-house — A mysterious voice — Conspirators of Alida's ruin, alarmed — Disappointed — Marriage postponed — Nat has to go to Montreal, and, what he intends to do — Swears vengeance upon Mike, for the kiss to Alida — Nat and his companions plotting — Dr. Field counter-plotting — The madness of jealousy, and meanness of revenge — The story just beginning to be interesting — Money is the root of evil — Dr. Field goes to meet Mike, the sequel of which will not be told In this chapter, 107

Chapter VI

Michael bids a long farewell to Brandon Valley, with a hsart as light as bis travel ling baggage — Tokens of remembrance — The welcome of a ragged boy at a road side inn — Decker's tavern — Mrs. Decker — Her portrait drawn — Michael sent to the kitchen for his supper — The reason he did not eat it — Bringing in oven-wood, a most amusing s'cene — Noise and confusion — A woman frightened, and a woman angry— The story of George Norton, and his blue-eyed wife, and her prayerful influence — Dr. Field arrives, and refuses to drink — Decker astonished — The world turning wrong side out— Another convert to woman's influence — This is a chapter in which the reader can indulge a hearty laugh, . . 121

Chapter VII

A short chapter, but an interesting one— Developments of human nature— Meta morphosis of a ragged boy to a young gentleman — Michael in a new suit, suits Mrs. Decker— The supper — The doctor amused with the oven-wood story, and her account of "that ragged vagabond, Mike" — Mrs. Decker docs not recognize

CONTENTS. yii

him— A lesson worth remembering— The clothes win, where rags can't come in — Dr. Field and Michael talk of Alida — Michael too excited to sleep— Anticipation of " a scene " to-morrow, with Mrs. Decker, 142

Chapter VIII

Michael early up— Is surprised expressing his thoughts in verse— A Vermont breakfast — A morning visit — Mary Tharp — Her prayer for her father — A holy scene— The pledge — Gratitude — Mary hugs Michael— Good bye — Good deeds re warded — Franklin May — The journey over the Green Mountains— A happy family meeting— New friends for the outcast boy — A happy marriage in pros pect — Emotions at parting — The fruit of woman's holy influence, . .151

Chapter IX

The prospect of doing a good action brings happiness — Woman confides in man and ia deceived — A walk in the woods — Alida and Mary become acquainted and are friends — The Smuggler's bridge and what was seen there — Another trick upon the customs officers — Human wolves on a lamb's track — The fury of jealousy, among men and brutes — The demon of the Distillery — The conspiracy for a sham marriage, and plans to counteract it — Dr. Field in the field, with Parson White, out-plots the plotters, who are arrested as spies — A wedding in prospect— Disap pointment — The minister don't come — Unexpected arrival — Married at last — Va gue suspicion of a double marriage — Waking and Dreaming — Looking through the grates — Visiting the sick — Gratitude — A queer Doctor's prescription — Repentance —Not yet quite lost, 1T3

Chapter X

The A B C's of a state prison education — Who taught them — An old fashioned wedding breakfast— Wine refused for the first time— Its effects— The best temper ance sermon — Who are our enemies — Lost friends found — A runaway party returned — " Toasting the happy pair," at Deacon Brandon's — Selecting the beverage — The distiller's argument — A short sermon, with a moral application — Sowing of seed that has produced a good crop, 198

Viil CONTENTS.

Chapter XI

Absence from home, and false excuses— Borrowing money and false securities — Another cattle-drove, and another trick of the smugglers— A false-hearted hus band, gone never to return — How to borrow money — A long letter, which the reader will not wish a line shorter — Michael in his new home, and new capacity — More influence in the right direction— Rum banished through Michael's exam ple, from another house — A long story of a short sleigh-ride on Lake Champlain — The white phantom— A race for life— Death wins — The shot— The scream, and death of the smugglers — The lost man on the ice — " Oh let me die, my wife and child have perished " — Magnetic communications through the night air — The arrival — The glowing kitchen fire— Old acquaintances — Wonder succeeds wonder —The P. S. of the letter, contains the nub of the story, 217

Chapter XII

Very short, but full of fire — Continuation of events — Another family letter without a postscript — The birth of the real heroine of the story— Life begun in sorrow- How will it end? — A happy marriage — And another in prospect — Picture of a Green Mountain thunder-storm — Lightning, and where it strikes — A night long to be remembered — The beauty of a fire scene — What it burnt is not regretted — Smouldering ruins and ruined hopes, 286

Chapter XIII

The cycle of years, and the change, and new features it has brought in our story — An age of new life to one, and blasted hope to another— The great want of an affectionate nature— Marry again, never — The widow finds a home— Alida and Celestine start upon a long journey, and arrive at— disappointment— A sad part ing of friends — The end of the journey, and then — What then? . . . 245

Chapter XIV

The village hotel— The landlord— The bar-room, and its occupants— A new country village— A gentlemanly stage-driver— His passengers ic trouble— What makes a good son— A good brother— Read and see—" Come with me."— Blessed words of

CONTENTS. lx

comfort — " Ma I what did you come here for ?" — A child's appreciation of character — Cheap happiness, and after-influences of good actions — A surprise, and its painful effects — A beautiful picture — Good-bye, and a last farewell, . 253

Chapter XV

The stage-driver's story — Sickness and delirium — The power of a strong will over disease — The power of will in saving life — Winter — Wood-chopping — A perilous position — Singular calmness of preparation to avert death — Certain, inevitable death — Echo and its effect — Hope and its glorious outshining upon the woods around the dying prisoner — His escape and tiresome journey home — Man's faith ful friend, the dog, rescues his master by his wonderful intelligence, . . 264

Chapter XVI

Allda and Maria Louise — Two wives in the house of one husband — Alida awakes and finds herself in a strange place — A night scene — Female dignity quails a villain — A blow and its consequences — Oh ! is that man my husband — Honor among thieves— Its value— Their plans to entrap a partner, and make him a Bcape-goat— A stranger robbed, and Nat Brandon suspected— One witness too many— Nat creeps like a thief into Ms own house— Bitter reflections of " How the world will point at a felon's children." — The escape, pursuit and capture — A stee ple-chase, six to one; five are distanced; four down in the mud — The arresttrial — conviction — sentence — Life ends in the penitentiary, . . . 274

Chapter XVII

A chapter of sad scenes — Alida and Maria Louise talk of Nat — Celestine, and a child's opinion of her father — She gets a scar, that is long afterwards remem bered — A new character introduced, and his character painted — What fops think of women — Alida and Celestine start on a journey, which has an unexpected termination — Flight to the woods at midnight, to escape a villain — Alida followed by wolves, faints, and falls in the road, and is found by one who would hare gladly shared his homo with her, but she dies in hia arms, leaving poor Celestine In a wolf's den, . . 2OT

X CONTENTS.

Chapter XVIII

Sail news — Letters and their answers — More villainy — Dividing the spoils — Wretched fate of Celestine — Facts leaking out — The convict's family — The Poor House, and how they were received and treated there — Disciplining a child — Cruelty — Temptation — A mother's love for her children — A bill of fare — Escaping from an American Bastile — Going back to " our old home" — Two sorts of children in one family — Commencement of the history of Luthella Brandon — Her new home, and life of a " poor-house girl" — Seven years of torture — Going an errand, and finding a friend— A Christian woman— A horrid sight— Capt. Sebring swears — Another phase in the poor-house girl's life — Her destiny linked with Celestine's —Good advice — Going out Into the wide world among strangers, . 804

Chapter XIX

The journey — Peering into strange faces, in search of a lost sister — New home — New scenes — New friends — Luthella meets a wolf in her path — Familiar things in every-day life— Scandal and scars— The spy-glass and the spy— A new friend and a new cause of tears — Another journey — The stage coach — The wind and autumn leaves — Reveries — the stage horn — A vision of Celestine vn the clouds —Oh, my Sister, speak to me— The vision fades, and reality appears — The glove The scar — The recognition — The curtain falls, 826

Chapter XX

The sisters meet and love each other — The story of Celestine's wrongs — May heaven

forgive — The ride to C by moonlight — New England scenery — Quillings —

Apple-parings and huskings — The old red house and the school-house — The village — The green — The church— The tavern— The drive along the Mill-brook— The old

bell, and its tones — Arrival at C Hotel loungers — Virtuous indignation,'

and its results — One false step embitters life — Reminiscences of childhood, and recognition of childhood's friends, and a scene of death, that would draw tears from a stone's heart, 887

Chapter XXI

Terror of death— She died young— The death scene— Thus to die — Woman's calm ness — The mourning train — The cemetery— The spot for the grave — The sermon — The text — An impressive lesson — Floods of tears — Luthella meets a foe — Threats of revenge — Luthella's path beset — Return to her nativa place — Slander and suspicion— Sickness— Want and suff«ring In a garret 866

CONTENT?. XI

Chapter XXII

Arrival at N The scene of the flight of leaves from the old maple trees, and

vision of Celestine in the clouds — Another vision — Brandon Valley seen in a dream — Echo, and a warning voice — Offer of a ride — The mountain road and precipice — A terrible death, and mangled corse — The end of George Lafale. 869

Chapter XXIII. The Finale

Arrival at C Signs of a storm — Mistaken in who had inquired for her —

Luthella goes at night to visit Celestine's grave — The Storm Fiend's serenade while she kneels there — Her heart yearns for something to love — Another vision or dream — Determines to go and meet her sister — The plunge — Drowning — Rescue —A declaration— A wedding and the end, almost, 881

Chapter XXIV

The conclusion, and explanations why the hook was written — Familiar characters Introduced for the last time, 896

This is a chapter that may be omitted, but one that will be read. Indeed it may be read first, and if so, will not spoil the story.

PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE

In explanation of the objects of this volume, and things treated of, and characters introduced. Except by those who begin a book in the middle, and read out each way, this chapter should be first read.

Many of the incidents connected with the early Bettlement of all the forest regions of this country, are more remarkable and startlingly interesting, than any of the creations of romance. Yet, like the forests where they occurred, they have passed away, never to be known again. Many an incident that has awakened the sympathies of all who knew it, or thrilled to the heart of a family, a neighborhood, or village, like the scream of a panther upon the crag that overhangs the old log school-house, where I gathered a few of the rudiments of a plain educa tion ; would have thrilled the world's great heart, but like the panther's scream, it was heard by only a few at night, and was forgotten in the morning.

How brilliantly beautiful the burning of a dry

XIV PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE.

pine upon some mountain peak, shoots up the forked tongue of flame into the cerulean dome, one of nature's " light-houses of the skies," and how all eyes within its circle of radiance, are upward turned to watch its beauty.

In the very valley upon which that light falls, there burns as bright a flame, but it shines not so far, and both are evanescent. Of the two forms that furnished food for the fire, one perhaps remains a blackened stump, and the other is but a pile of ashes beneath a grassy mound, in the resting-place of the dead, on yonder hill-side.

The daring deeds of the heroes of the war of 1812 have been emblazoned upon their country's shield ; for that shield is its literature ; but there were other deeds of daring — other actors upon the stage at the same time, that have fallen like the leaves of the dark forests that covered all northern Vermont in those days, and actors and actions, like the leaves, now fertilize the earth for the husbandman that tills his field where giant pines and hemlocks grew, and where, fifty years ago, such scenes as I shall picture thrilled the blood that flowed then through throbbing hearts.

It is among the pioneers of that dark forest, that I have picked up the incidents of this story — a story not of heroes — not of burning pines that glared, and went out, never to light the world again, but of the

GREEN-MOUNTAIN GIRLS XV

bright enduring flames that have shot up in the low valley, or lighted the path through the forest for a period of life, either brief, or long enduring.

My characters are all from every-day scenes of real life, and my story is a record of nothing more than has occurred in many a locality, other than that of Brandon Valley, deeply interesting at the moment to all that knew its living actors, but unknown to all beyond its sphere, because there are but few of those who hew out homes in the woods, that have time to write stories, arid still fewer the number, who have the gift of story-telling.

Whether that gift is mine, I have yet to learn by the judgment of my readers.

It is a common-place story, of common-place men and women, told in a common-place way. But it is full of exciting scenes, that will, perhaps, look more like the creation of some vivid imagination, than reality. It is true, that my readers may not recognize Brandon Yalley by its name, but many a one will exclaim, " Why, I know that place !"

So, many a one will remember old Deacon Bran don, and his distillery, and I doubt not that there are a score of persons still living, that remember the storrn, the lightning, the bright flame that shone all over the valley the night it was lightning struck, and in two hours, had passed out of existence.

XVI PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE.

How many too well recognize Parson "White, as " our old minister," and I am sure that his son Blythe, still lives in the memory of a host of friends, and may I hope that Blythe White, Junior, will be remembered long after these leaves, like those of autumn on the Green Mountains, have been swept down, and buried in the dust of ages.

Then how many prototypes will be found for that poor, outcast boy, Michael Granly — who still lives, a grey -haired sire, surrounded by children, and grand children, and honored by all who know him, and loved by many who enjoy the blessings that his wealth enables him to bestow on others. He is a monument of fame to the

GKEEN MOUNTAIN GIRLS.'

for it was one of them that lifted him from a depth of degradation, and started him upon the road that leads up the steep mountain-side, to the pinnacle where the burning pine is seen from a thousand lower hill-tops.

Who ever breathed the air of those Green Moun tains, or heard of their sons, that will not glory in the illustration of the character of their girls.

That of Alida Blythe, is one to be proud of. Can any daughter of America read it, and not rejoice to call her sister ?

GREEN-MOUNTAIN GIRLS. XV11

The coldest heart will throb — the dryest eye will moisten — and every one will sympathize with her misfortunes.

What soul will not expand, as it follows the sad dened path of her daughter, or will not rejoice, and weep by turns, as the characters of these Green Mountain Girls are unfolded. If any one can study that of Mary Tharp, and not love her, he is not mor tal, nor is he more, for angels do.

How many hearts will bleed as they read the early history of Luthella Brandon, or rejoice as it is devel oped with her noble character, I cannot say, but I can exercise the Yankee privilege, and guess. I guess that none will read, and not feel the heart warming with pride, to think that she is a true speciof the genuine Green Mountain Girls.

Although Mrs. Decker, Mrs. Stoneheart, and Mrs. Flint, all sat for their portraits, and all are taken true to life, I hope no one will say, " I know the original," for these are specimens of women, I would rejoice to see extinct.

But my story is full of men and women, that may be taken as patterns, and their virtues copied, and all may strive to emulate, while they read of, and honor their noble deeds.

Since so many of my characters are living, I have been obliged to avoid names of persons, and places,

-v«... PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE.

and carefully hide localities, so that none may recog nize anything but the good deeds I would immor talize, while I bury the evil ones in oblivion.

As a whole, this is a work of history, illustrated by fiction, except in all that is depicted of good, glorious deeds, there is no fiction — it is only an illus tration of "Vermont men, and the characters of the Green Mountain Girls.

GREEN-MOUNTAIN GIELS.

Chapter I

Scenes upon the Vermont frontier during " the last war." — Stories about smuggling and Yankee smugglers — The sleigh ride — A new way to carry pork to market.

The reader that expects to find any love and murder In this chapter, will be dis appointed. But he will find why whiskey is called " Hardware."

.. ALL along our extensive frontier, during the war of 1812, there was a constant effort made by one party to evade the non-intercourse laws, and by another to prevent everything that bore any relation to smuggling ; though to be known as a smuggler, was no disparagement to a man's character, so he did not get caught in the act, and suffer a forfeiture of his goods.

Some of these Yankee devices, would have done credit to the greatest adept in the business that ever studied the pro fession in Europe.

Since a number of the characters of my story were more or less connected with this business, and some of the most intensely interesting scenes in this volume, are those con-

G R E E N - M 0 U K T A I N GIRLS uected with the smugglers, I will commence my tale with a chapter of anecdotes that I have often heard related ; sometimes by the actors, and sometimes by those who lived upon the spot, and were cognizant at the time of the excit ing, or laughable events.

One of the adepts in the smuggling business— one of the most finished hands — was known all along the Vermont frontier as Doctor Field.

One of the most successful, as well as most laughable of his tricks, was known and understood for a long time, whenever the inquiry was made, "how is pork?" This simple question was enough to throw some of the customs officers into a paroxysm of rage. The resident officers had been fooled so often by " the boys," that it was thought necessary by the authorities at Washington, to give them the assistance of a company of regular soldiers. These were ordered to give their most efficient aid to the entire suppression of smuggling, between the Connecticut River and Lake Memphremagog ; a sheet of water, now much more resorted to by the tourist and lover of wild scenery, than by the counterfeiters and smugglers of 1812 ; and even in later years, it was known as the great head-quarters of a lawless band. The mountain sides echoed then to the wild halloo of the hunter, or the signal call of those who had their homes in their secret places.

Now, the same hills give back the echoes of the steam boat whistle, as it makes its daily trips of pleasure, with its gay load of travellers up and down this mountain-locked lake. On the east of this lake, the first town south of the line, and right opposite Stanstead is Derby ; then a wild new settlement, now a lovely village and rich farming town. It was here that the company of soldiers were stationed, to entirely suppress all sorts of smuggling. One of the most particular instructions to the officer in command, was to utterly break up the trade in provisions, sent from this side to feed the poor fellows on the north side of the line of latitude forty-five, since, according to reports at head-quar ters, this traffic had grown to a degree, perfectly scandalous to the Green Mountain State. But the fact was, that the temptation was a little too strong for human nature in any State.

The British government had filled Canada with so many red coats, that they consumed everything in the way of fresh meats, without getting half a supply ; and the French settlers, besides, not making a surplus, to sell to the army, had a more deadly hatred of the British soldiers, ten times over, than the Yankees had ; for the former hated them with a national hatred, embittered by war and subjugation, while the latter felt no more enmity than the prize-fighter does towards his antagonist, who is bound to whip, for the honor of the thing.

Upon the Canadian side, then, there was not only a short supply of provisions, but really less disposition to profit by the presence of the soldiers, than upon the American side. Hence, prices attained such extravagant rates, that the temptation was greatly increased to smuggle over food, not withstanding it was contrary to all the rules of warfare, to feed an enemy.

But recollect, that enemy was John Bull, a most glori ous old fellow to eat roast beef and fresh pork, and willing to pay for it. And where is the Yankee that would not prefer to feed him well, and then whip him upon a full sto mach. There would be a sort of refined cruelty in whipping a hungry man, besides, how foolish it would be, when he was willing to pay for his dinner, and be whipped afterwards.

However, our Government objected to this method of con quering a peace, and when Captain Simonds was sent there with his company, he had strict orders to suppress this traffic in provisions, and for some time, his new vigilance — new brooms always sweep clean — nearly swept the whole business out of existence.

It was no use any longer to kill a fat pig, and leave it out all night to be stolen, because, somehow, it was not stolen by the right parties — the thief would not pay.

In the meantime, the temptation to smuggle a little fresh pork over the line, grew stronger and stronger ; for as the difficulties increased the prices rose, until it was double or treble in value on the Canada side, over that upon our own, where the prices seemed to fall, as the other side went np.

But the worst feature of all, was that Captain Simonds made his brags that he had broken up the smuggling busi ness, and in fact that he was altogether too sharp for the Green mountaineers.

As he was a sprig of aristocracy, from a southern city, this boast did not sit well upon the boys' stomachs, nor, in fact, upon the girls' either ; for to their honor be it spoken, nowhere on earth can more abiding faith and lore be found, than among the Green Mountain Girls.

They had no idea of allowing their friends, brothers, cousins or sweethearts, to be outdone in anything that required a little tact or smartness. It was then a point of honor to outwit the customs officers, and their allies, the " Uncle Sam's soldiers," and if possible, pluck a feather out of the cap of the southern fop, who seemed to feel that he belonged to a superior order of beings to those that he found living here in log cabins, among hemlock stumps. He forgot that they were off-shoots of some of the best stock in all the old settlements of New England, and that a life in the wood, only served to sharpen naturally bright intel lects.

It was now " hog killing time," and it was entirely too much for human nature to bear, to sell pork in Derby at ten cents, while it was twenty or twenty-five in Stanstead, just across an imaginary line upon a level piece of land, which was guarded night and day with such assiduous care upon both sides, for fear a little pork and beef would get across one way, or a little rum or tea the other.

It would have been amusing, if it had not been so extremely ridiculous, to see the strutting turkey cocks in red coats upon the north side of this line, and blue coats upon this, stalking back and forth, watching each other.

Notwithstanding the belligerent attitudes of the red coats and blue coats, the people kept up a constant inter course, going back and forth, only subjecting themselves to search, to see if they had anything contraband of war in their wagons or sleighs, which would be seized and con fiscated by the customs officers, for that was all individual profit. The officers seized from the smugglers, not so much to stop smuggling, and benefit the Federal government, as themselvffs. It was a constant war of wits, without much ill-feeling, for it often happened that the officers and smug glers were intimate neighbors, and sometimes, even brothers.

If the Government at Washington ever imagined that it could station men enough along the Canada line, to prevent the people from trafficing across, back and forth, it very much mistook the Yankee character. Nothing short of a picket fence of bayonets would have been sufficient, and even then, some fellows would have dug under or flew over.