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


make me good wife, DIR. Ellsworth p
Salmon Hayden chewed anxiously on a
bit of shaving as he spoke.
We'll, Hayden, don't know. Can't you
find somebody for yourself? replied DR..
Ellsworth, folding powder in u bit of blue
paper.
No, Doctor l can't answered Hayden,
helplessly; Il have been refused 80 many
times feel rather delicate about trying.
If you could do something for me!
should like to get married. 1t is very diff
ficult finding help, and the best of help
don't take that interest wife would Why,
everything's at loose ends in my house.
Samantha-that's my oldest-she does the
best she can; but what do young girls
know about planning and contriving?
Sure enough responded the Doctor,
feelingly.
Having taken to himself Il 'child-wife' in
his old age, he was supposed to know what
'shiftlessness' is.
And then, again. continued the would
be Benedict, rolling the shaving under his
tongue, as if it had been cud of sweet and
bitter fancy-'then, again. it costs sight of
money to hire so much. Says to myself
morn six months ago, says Salmon
Hayden, do you look around for some
smart, driving, go-ahead woman and mar
ry her if you can But somehow 1 haven't
seemed to have any luck
The Doctor rubbed his left ear reflective
ly. Suppose now 1 should say Priscilla
DanIey. Sho would make an oxceIIent
wife, L am sure; and l really think she
would be willing to change her situation.
There is nobody else who occurs to me at
this moment
Salmon Hayden's eyes lighted like the
eyes of Jonathan after he had tasted the
honey in the wood.
We'll she's woman l don't know but
If you think she will do, why, all right.
must consider my children, you under
stand, and get somebody who will make a
good mother to them. But l have great
deal of confidence in your judgment, Doc
tor, and if it is your opinion she will suit
all round, you would confer great'favor
by saying good word for me-
DIR. Ellsworth folded another powder in a
bit of white paper.
Il think, said he, you had beSler do the
speaking. / am not accustomed to such
business myself; never did anything of the
kind but once, and that was on my own ac-
| count
Il can't, doctor, have had so much bad
luck. If you would only help me this
once, shall always account you my best
| friend said Hayden in pathetic tone
| which struck home to the Doctors beneyo-
| lent heart.
So he promised and that very evening
took occasion to call at Mr.. Danley's under
pretence of asking after old lady Danley's
rheumatism.
| Priscilla met him at the door.
4 would like to see you few moments
alone, Miss Danley,' said the Doctor, blush
ing like Aurora.
ITO be sure you may, answered Priscill,
briskly, if you'll step into the kitchen
where Pm pairing apples. It's busy tim,
just now, and can as well keep my hands
going while l talk
What has he got in his head now ?
thought she, as they walked along togeth
er. Come to borrow money, I'll warrant
He might as well save his breath for rv
taken all the money out of my stocking t.
pay off that mortgage-as far as the heel
Miss Danley,' said the Doctor, after
few desultory coughs, and few prelimina
ry ahems, Il would like to ask you you
candid opinion in regard toto matrimo
n.y.
Priscilla punched the apple-corer lttl
way into the ball of her thumb.
MY opinion, Doctor? You didn't com
all this length of ways to say that? II yol
did it's pity you shouldn't get it though
so I'll out with it and not wait to be coaxed
It's my candid opinion that matrimon,
does very well in its place
But in your own case, Miss Priscilla
Suppose now good, likely man, and Al
excellent provider-'
Priscilla sprung up as if one of Cupid
arrows had suddenly hit her, and ran to tn
, sink in the most irrelevant manner to was
: her hands.
"A man that would give you a comforts
BILE home
No more of your 'supposes' DIR Ells
worth. If you've got anything to say, sa
it,
80 ! will all but the name. I've no ide
Of trifing with you Miss Priscilla. Heis
man can recommend
"A widowerP
Yes
How many childrenP'
Six
what are his means2
We'll to do, Miss Danley, or wouldn
J have come here on such an errand.'
what do you want me to say, Doctor?
shouldn't like to have the certificate mao
out, you know, and the minister spoken {
- before I'd set eyes on the man.
DIR. Ellsworth laughed. The worst WI
now over, and Miss Priscilla's matter-o
. fact manner had set him quite AT his ease
'All ask of you Miss Danley is thi
> win you or will you not see himf
Il will; certainly; why nott repli'
!. Miss Priscilla, looking at her question