Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-01-01

me. So it's all settled, and | shan't marry
any one else. You must come and fetch
me when I'm old enough"
"Oh, 1t will be no use you'll be mar
ried to Frank Monk, and be lady then" )"
What that stupid boy? hate him !!
Last time he was here he pushed in the
eyes of my baby-doll, and melted her poor
nose against the kitchen-bars. No; l
never will marry a cruel boy like that.
He might poke my eyes in with his dirty
fingers"
Well, well, Polly; I'll come back, if
you'll wait for me, then"
"Of course | will. When are you
going ?"
Next week. I'll bring you a keepsake
before [ GO
4 don't want anything, Sam,-ex-
Well? Except ''
[ was going to say-if | might have
Clip only to take care of for you, you
know"
90 Have him ?"-I shall be only too glad
to find so kind little mistress for him; III
bring him down next time L come. Good
by, Polly. OF course, as you're my little
wife, | must kiss you.
Of course you must, Sam.
Clip" was duly brought down, and at-
ter a long leave-taking Sam was gone.
When Polly had dried her eyes she said !;
Mamma, what's that ring on your finger ?
not the wedding one - the other?
That's keener."
No, not that; the one with an emerald
in it ~
That's what papa gave me when was
engaged to him."
What for ,"
I" don't know because its customary
to wear one, [ suppose"
. Don't you think Sam ought to have
gwen me one, mamma-so as to show
everybody I'm engaged -
Bless the child. He's nearly old
enough to be your father. Run along and
finish your sewing"
=" Never mind, mamma, I've got the lit
tie gold medal with hole in it, and | can
show them that, cant ?"
. Mr.. Halstead's been here again to-day
That's the fourth time this week. What
on earth does he want here -
l.
Polly"
"Oh, indeed! Our little Polly, too"
Now, John Little Polly!' She's
a very well-grown girl, and was twenty-five
yesterday"
Twenty-Five How time flies II
seems but little while since Sam White
went away, and yet it must be nearly
twelve years"
We ought to have "a letter this mail
it's nearly six months since the last, John
[ wish that he would not write at all that
girl will never get settled through that
nonsense. She'll wait and wait, and ther
he'll bring a wife home"
There's no hurry. Bless my heart
wife. Why you were seven-and-twenty
when | married you"
That was yonr fault. | was quite
ready and willing years before, if you't
only spoken up like a man.
I tell you what, wife, it's seriou:
thing-this proposing"
Well, | hope the result has proved a.
pleasant the prospect was serious"
"All right, old lady, all right There
not much to grumble at"
Why any spectator, had there been one
should have seen Mrs Hazel sitting OF
her husbands knee with her arm arounc
his neck and tears in her eyes | dom
know; but so it was
But about Mr. Halstead, john"
Well, my dear, if he speaks to me-as
| suppose, being a curate, he will shall
give him leave to speak to her. | need not
ask what you would do. know that every
woman would like to have one of hel
daughters married to a parson, though In
sure don't know why
They're very nice people, John, that
why much better than stupid farmers
''Oh, Why didn't you marry GU
rate, then,-you had two chances ?"
Because-because-I preferred a stu
pid, pipe-smoking farmer, like foo-lik,
wise woman, John, dear"
"All right, old lady, III give my con
sent"
In due time consent was asked and given
and Polly refused the curate, tendery anc
kindly offering him sisterly affection
which was not exactly what he wanted
And he laid his plaint before her father
"She says she's engaged, sir. and showed
me a medal"
and the curate went home worse than ever
so bad, indeed, that in three months time
being Of a good family, he was obliged t,
be consoled by one of seven girls at the
vicarage, and as nobody said anything
about his little affair at the farm, Poll
attended in sisterly way as one of tn,
bridesmaids, - it would not do, yot
know, to have only sisters, though there are
six of them
Another year went by, and Mrs. Hazse
had her way there was no letter from Sam
Farmers and doctors, and another curate
too, had laid siege to the fortress of Polly'
heart and been beaten off, and compelled t,
retreat in despair.
Polly was as bright and lively, and die
up her abundant hair in the same rayish
ing masses as ever; but she had no low,
for any one.
Old Clip toothless and little blind
used to trot about the place after her or bt
carried in her arms; but as for grief o.
care, Polly seemed to know them not.
At last her winter came.
g Who do you think has come back
Polly ?"
Sam
Yes-and his wife
No, father-no-don't say it. I'll,
would not-could not-after all thes,
years.
Didn't | tell you so, Polly? l knew
he would; they always bring back wives.
Are you sure, father 20