University of Vermont - Ariel Yearbook (Burlington, VT)

Page 30 text:

THE ARIEL, 1908 29 Finally, entering into the holiday spirit of the occasion, they went for a ride on the merry-go-round, little anticipating the tragic results of their frolic. ,ln the midst o'f the 1'eveh'y a startling scream was heard, and the car began to revolve at a frightful speed. The man in charge of the steam engine which p1'opelled the merry-gim-round, having' suddenly become crazed by reading' 'free silver campaign' speeches, had thrown a pailful of oil into the iirebox, put on full steam, fastened down the safety valve, and, waving a 1'evolve1' in one hand and the Chicago platform in the other, was shouting Sixteen revolutions to one second or bust! .Xround whirled the car with dizzy and ever increasing' speed: children screamed, and one woman was so frightened that she stopped talking. To jump was to risk instant death and to remain on the car seemed equally dangerous. The madman defied all interference. At this critical moment, the Captain implorcd his fascinating' companion, who remained strangely calm, if not unmoved, to grant him a sight of her face before they we1'e swept into eternity. Fairest and sweetest, said he, if I. must die, let me die looking upon your face, and death shall be robbed of its terrors. Ile spoke more truly than he knew! W'ith a sigh of resignation and despair, the lady replied: lt seems to be the only way, and began to raise her veil slowly. The effect was magical! Shuddering and groaniiig, the huge car quivered and reluctantly stood still, the steam in the engine turned to snow, and Captain Jenks, finding' himself at last face to face with the belle of .Essex Junction, took to the woods and climbed a treeff IV At midnight, the aforesaid belle threw herself upon her couch, weeping' bitterly. I knewf' she sob-bed, I knew l. am plain, I knew my face would stop a clock:-but a steam engine! O, this is too much! Life is but misery, to-mo1'1'ow I shall die!U In the morning, however, remembering that the dressmaker was coming next Week, she felt better, and decided to compromise between life and death by moving to St. Iohnsbury. There she subsequently married a blind man and became seventeenth Vice-President General of the Daughters of the Revolution. CWNOTJS.-lfVe are glad to be able to assure the reader that he never came ClOW1l.-E1il'l'OR,.

Page 29 text:

28 THE ARIEL, 1908 II. Having spent a few weeks in the restful atmosphere of St. Albans, the Captain found his nerves and toes much improved, and proposed to visit the seashore for a breath of ocean air and a brief change of scene. After considering the relative advantages of Atlantic City, Newport, and other watering places, and making certain calculations, he took an excursion train for Queen City Park, that sedate resort on picturesque Lake Champlain. lfVhen the train reached the station at Essex junction, there entered and sat down beside the Captain Qthe car being crowdedj a lady, who immediately excited his quiet but lively interest. She had the form of a Venus, and her movements were as graceful as those of a wild deer or a duck on a frogpond. Her carriage was like that of a princess, and her dainty and aristocratic foot seemed to spurn the IQ cent matting on which she swept down the aisle. Strange to say, how- ever, and much to the regret of the gallant Captain, she wore a veil which effect- ively concealed her features. This, however, only increased his interest and stimulated his curiosity. He observed that her hands were small, white, and shapely, and when she asked the conductor how the train happened to be only 55 minutes late, the Captain was thrilled by the melody and rippling sweetness of her voice. As the journey continued, he was singularly fascinated by her near presence, her correct and graceful demeanor, and the air of quiet rehne- ment and reserve with which she chewed her gum. Great guns l said the Cap- tain to himself, she must be a beauty, she's so careful of her complexion. l wish she would take off that veil. HI. While the train was passing through the 'Winooski tunnel the lady's evident alarm Qshe had been through it only QQ times beforej was so great that the Captain felt called upon to reassure her. Before the train reached Queen City Park, his exercise of sympathy, military daring, and social diplomacy had won the acquaintance of the mysterious lady from Essex Junction, and thus it hap- pened that they were seen that afternoon wandering together by the lake shore and chatting gaily on the pavilion piazza. The Captain was more than ever attracted by his companion's sprightly manner and engaging conversation, but all his strategy failed to gain him a glimpse of her features. She even declined his invitation to partake of lobstersiic and ice-cream, but this only increased his infatuation. D CRNOTE.-Prof. Perkins states that he has often observed lobsters on the beach at Queen Clfy Paflf, and that they are frequently canned fllCl'C.-IEINTORJ,

Page 31 text:

THE ARIEL, 1908 VVORSHIPPING LAFAYETTE