Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-09-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE HOCUS-POCUS.
BY MERRILL c. YOUNG.


Partly concealed in the border of a
wood which skirts a scene where prai-
RE
"Stctched in boundlcss beauty les
is situated charming lite cottage nestled
in shade and secIusion beneath the foliage
of ever sbadowing boughs, On the piazza
in front of this dwelling, venerable
sucker (named Gordon, was seated one
summer afternoon building dreams of
thrift as he surveyed his plantation, en-
ameled with heavy crops rIpenlng INTO
plenty. Now, as our sweetest dreams are
hee,est and quickest to close, it is not
strange that his, although pleasant, were
soon terminated by some one shouting
Halo, old dad.
Halo yourself, and diShircr how it feels,
he retorted, and turning simultaneously
with his reply, his eyes fell upon young
man, n stranger to him, leaning on the
yard fence.
'Xcus me, said the stranger, may be
you mought be SO clever as to tell chap
who owns that are wheat field up aside the
timber, wort you!
wall, l will: own it,
Dew say' said the stranger, But
aint it mighty cute that you allow four
legged animals and Sich critters to be in
NJ
But | DON'T said Gorden.
i seen boss in it, though as kuri a.
long remarked the stranger, driIy.
"A boss in my wheat! exclaimed the
sucker. 'Zangs and lightnin'! Here
Blunderl Sanity Amy, here, h.e-r-c!'
His call had the effect to bring forth
two dogs; one honnd with legs half as
long as an Eastern SchooImasers, the
other bull the peculiar quirk OF whose
under jaw might lead you to misrust that
he was ever fond ofwhat tie knowing ones
call the "grab game" Attended with
these, he lrotted off in hot haste, tho dogs
wagglng their tails as their old master
wagged his tongue, urging them to pursue
The young stranger, after wagging his
chin little awry, and induIgng in a
light laugh that made him look suspicious
ly waggIsh, walked to the cottage door
lor Here finding himself alone, he com
menced survey Of the apartment. Be-
fore he had much leisure, however, either
40 observe or admire the taste and elo-
Banee combined in every thing around him
he was en;ranced by gush of rich wild
melody, succeeded by the sound of light
footsteps and instantly creature of beau
ty and IoveIiness fitted into his presence
On! teal lair, rosy checked damsel, the
very PRESERVATION Of bIithsomeness. She
was startled though. when her soft blue
eyes encountered the stranger; and was
hastily withdrawing, in doing which, she
CHANGED to cast anothc. glance-her
contenance changed from fright to glad
ness-she uttered the name of Henry
Lesle-ond then ran-not out oflhe door,
bu, smak into the young strangers arms.
She let hlm-Iet hm-kiss her. too; and
listened to his impassionatc Ianguage-I
why, what did the girl mcam Their con-
ycrsa'ion will, perhaps, suffice to explain
'Clarlsae, sad the stranger, 'CIarisse,
my beautiful idol, ] have come to claim
you for my own
" Henry, fear our hopes will meyer
change to realities. love you very, very
much; but father disikes you merely be-
cause you are Yankee lawyer lie is
obstinate and will no. consent And the
rosy flush fled from the lady's cheek.
DO not fear Clarisse,' said Henry
Leslie. 4 can and will remove his preu-
dice. know how to work on a farm;
and as he does not know me, | will hire to
hsm under an assumed name; and by the
merit OF honest worth and virtue, win
place in his affections
Their hopes excited, and consequently
their anxieties luled by the reasonable
ness Of this plan, The two seated them
selves on the sofa and enjoyed those brgh,
angel plumed delights with which a reclp-
rocal of love inspires young hearts.
When Gordon returned, however, he
found the young stranger alone, CIarsse,
having deemed it prudent to retire at the
sound of her fathers footsteps. Gorden
was glad that the stranger had tarried; he
wished to give him 'peaing' for he had
searched the field over and found no
horse.
Now don't blame me, old man. said
the Yankee, for surer than my name is
Dick Quirk, seen boss, dead one, in
that are very wheat, as kun along
Oh! but old Gordon waxed wroth at
thus learning that he had been sent 10
drive mere skeleton from his field; yet
the Yankee contriyed to calm his ruGled
feelings, and hire himself to the sucker to
dew things closing the bargain with the
impartial agreement that they might 'ho-
Gus pocus' one another as much as they