Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-04-02

with eyes as penetrating as two blue gimb-
lets, and with as much composure as though
1t had been a suit of clothes instead of
wife DIR. Ellsworth was bespeaking.
'Oh, we'll Then it's all right. 1 will call
over with the gentleman and introduce
him. returned the Doctor, hastily drawing
on his gloves. 'By-the-way,' remember
ing his pretended errand, and turning back
at the door, how is your grandmother,
Miss Priscilla2'
Miss Priscilla threw up her nose which
was as sharp as fish knife, Disappearing
ly. Grandmother is no better said she,
and she will be no better while she contin-
ues to live on blue-pills and Dover's pow
ders. All my wonder is that she is alive
Il have told the old lady, observed DR..
Ellsworth, mildly as became warrior who
would not speak to the prejudice of his
own weapons, that too much medicine may
affect one as unfavorably as too little; but
she thinks she has lived long enough TO
Judge for herself; and as 1 can do nothing
for her ! will wish you good-by for the
present, and call again soon, with your
leave, to introduce the gentleman referred
to-
'Of course. Only not Monday of this
week or Saturday-that is baking day.
Men are such fools, and the most foolish
thing about them is, they don't know that
they are FOOLS said Miss Priscilla aside,
taking up a pan of apples and setting it
down again with an emphasis.
Miss Danley's figure was adapted TO wiry
strength rather than grace, and she carried
decision and capability in every thread of
her chocolate calico. Her hair, which was
the color of white pepper had way of
coiling itself up in high twist, fastened
by an inlexible steel comb and her COM
plexion more like russet apple than ap-
pie blossom. But, though not strictly
beautiful, Miss Priscilla Danley had other
attractions besides those in her money
stocking. She never made failure of any
thing she turned her hand to, from pies to
poetry; and in sickness she was worth her
weight in diamond dust.
DIR. Ellsworth was quite conscious of this
as he shut the daor of the thrifty Danley
mansion; yet somehow, such is the per-
versity of the heart of man, he went home
W lllS tnllu-NllG pItlly ldCG anu
gay spirits with especial satisfaction that
night.
Next week, on the afternoon of ironing
day, which everybody knows is Tuesday,
he called with the impatient Mr.. Hayden,
on Miss Priscilla.
And this was the way the Fates had or
dered it. She and her cousin Mrs. Pills
bury, not expecting visitors before tea,
were engaged in taking to pieces and put
ting together again the sewing-machine.
Round Miss Priscilla's slender waist was
tied blue checked apron; in her left hand
was kerosene lamp with the top off, while
her right brandished feather.
1t was not an opportune moment that
nephew David, aged sixteen, roguishly
ushered the two callers into the sitting
room. Miss Priscilla was conscious that
scarlet WED with russet in her face, and
that tho twist at tho back of her head
stuck full Of knitting needles.
Introductions were hurried over, and the
Doctor took his leave, feeling guilty, and
very much afraid of the severe glances
which the gimlet eyes were boring into his
soul. The moment he left the room, how
ever, Miss Priscilla darted after him.
so that is your widower, is it? And
pretty time of day TO bring him here with
out so much as a word of warning?
The Doctor fingered for no further re-
proaches, but shut the front door behind
him with the utmost dispatch, while Miss
Priscilla ran up the stairs to arrange her
toilet, leaving Mr.. Hayden and her cousin
together
AS it was day of blunders, and the
Fates had matters in their own hands, il is
not to be wondered at that Mr.. Hayden had
made mistake at the outset-the trifling
one of supposing Mrs. Pillsbury was the
lady of his love.
Il am glad it was not the other one' said
he to himself, complacently; for Mrs.
Pillsburys comely face and plump little
figure did certainly contrast favorably with
the grimness and angularity of the other
one There was not a shadow of doubt in
Solomon Hayden's mind that the lady with
her hair full of knitting needles had left
the room on purpose to give him an oppor-
tunity to express his sentiments. There
was no time to be lost, he thought; for she
might come back again as suddenly as she
had gone.
Il am poor bereaved man. said he try
ing to get view of his left boot, 'ahem as
/ suppose my friend has told you.'
Mrs. Pillsbury looked up sympathetical
ly, Il am sorry for you, Mr.. Hayden
There was tear in her eye, which was
very encouraging to the poor stammerer
Yes, poor bereaved man. repeated he
| In,
anne, word of coincidence from you Il
worth great deal to me-worth more thar
you can think
Mrs. Pillsbury looked up again, and thii
time with innocent surprise. 1t was no
really clear to her why her sympathy SHOULD
be so especially valuable.
you have feeling heart, madam
Il hope 1 have Mr.. Hayden; but you
lonely condition must touch any one, an
sure. l always thought "A house must seen
utterly desolate when man goes and find
motherless children in place of his wife,
Mrs. Pi1sbury, as she spoke, looked VI
into the eyes of the bereaved with sucl
tender pity, that his heart leaped with
great bound towards the gentle sympathiz
er instantly taking her into its empty cor
ner.
Il don't know how to thank DR.. Ellis
worth enough for the favor of this intro
duction, said he gratefully. Il suppose yol
understand the object of my visit upon thi
occasion, and are willing, hope, to receiv
my attentions with view to marriageH
suppose, too, you must understand that
must wish to hasten matters as fast as
convenient to you. / am all ready now
and hope you will name as early day a
possible
, So saying-the mind of Mr.. Hayden re
verting to the old days of his first court
ship-he took Mrs Pillsbury's pincushio
of hand in the most atiectionate manne
the very hand which ought at that specif
moment to have been frying fritters for II
impatient owner, her husband. Impatier
I sure enough; for before Mrs. Pillsbury, il