Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-05-13

bound to 20 TO the deuce, he didn't know
as he could help it.
"Irs only flirtation," mother said.
"Flirtation, indeed / tell you she's be-
witcbed after him." my father said. And
then he added, "Well, its not quite so bad
as might be. Torseldorf isn't bad young
man, though of course he hasn't got cent;
but if they are bound to marry, I'll do
what can for him, and possibly he may
make something yeti.
NV ardor cooled at once. There wasn't
opposition enough to feed the flame. Con-
sequently my love died out. That evening
MIR. Torseldorf called. | received him
coollv. lie noticed it and exerted himself
To be agreeable; but it was signal failure.
Inever smiled once while he remained.
When he arose to depart, | followed him
to the door and informed him, as gently as
| could that his company could be dispens-
ed with.
"what has happened, Beatrice2" asked
he.
"Nothing."
"You do not love me2'
"You are good at guessing, Mr.. Torsel-
dorf," | answered, smiling, for the first
/
time that evening.
"Heartless p he muttered.
ooh, no but should be had I given
my heart to you
Mr.. Torseldorf iammed his hat over his
eyes and departed. 1never saw him after.
| noticed change in my fathers manner
after that. saw that his hopes revived.
He treated me in the most aflectionate
| manner, and for some time all went well.
But when everything seems to be going
well with you, you may be sure something
is going to happen. l have always found
| ii so.
1t was at Mr.. Tremain's soiree that met
Aminidab Fagge. Mr.. Fagge was very
common looking mortal. He had red hair,
gray eyes, fire-red moustache, a broken
nose and varegated skin. He was six
feet in length and three inches in thick
ness When he walked, you expected him
to fall to pieces every minute. | don't
think he was properly put together; he
squinted dreadfully, and his voice squeak
ed.
presume no one would call Aminidab
Fagge a handsome man. l knew as soon
never been spoiled by ilattery.
For reasons that you doubtless under
| stand, none of the young la~ies at Mrs.
| IRE mains took the slightest notice of Mr..
Fagge. For that very reason | entered in
to conversation with him, and found that
he wasn't fool, and that is saying consid-
erable. even danced with him once.
/ was not anxious to try it again. l new
er danced with pair ol ours, but l think
| | can now.
Mr.. Fagge ask ed permission to call upon
me, and replied that | should be happy
to see him at any time.
The next day he made his appearance.
Father looked at him in appearance. l
proceeded to make the gentlemen acquaint-
ed.
"Dear father, this is Mr. Aminidab Fagge
Mr.. Fagge, my father"
Father bowed, muttering something like
Fagge-rag-shag, and left the room.
1 / explained to Mr.. Fagge that my father
was eccentric, and we then fell into con-
versation. l believe / remarked before
that Mr.. Fagge was not a fool. On the con-
| trary, he had the largest assortment OF gen
eral information in his head of any person
| ever met. He had fresh, original way
of expressing himself, too, that was quite
charming to me. / found myself becom-
| ing quite interested in him in spite of my
self, and at last when he arose TO go, press
ed him to call again. He promised to, but
as | saw him going down the steps, l felt
hat he never would, for it did not seem
| possible that he could reach home without
breaking his neck. He seemed to walk on
stills, and one would have thought this his
| first attempt.
While l was watching him, father re-
turned to the parlor. "Do you know who
tn at is, Beatrice ?" he asked.
"Certainly; that is Mr.. Aminidab Fagge,"
1 replied.
Fudge know that. But what is her"
"Oh well, really, father, l don't know.
Possibly he is a perambulating tin mer-
chant.
half expected father would go into con-
vulsions but he didn't though he seemed
very much excited AT last he calmed
himself enough to ask what Aminidab had
called for.
for any one else. l made his acquaintance
last night at Mrs. Tremain's."
Father began to boil again. "He's moth
ing but a poor miserable fortune-hunter,
and if he comes here again, l will kick him
ont of the house."
"Don't father; it might hurt him."
Beatrice" in a voice of thunder, Ego to
your room"
made my exit. The paternal Puggins,
when he gets excited, will be obeyed. 1
retired to my room. Was there not some
romance in this2 l enjoyed II highly.
Th ere was stem and cruel parent, the
poor but noble lover, and myself. l felt
that my hero had arrived. The love for
which had been waiting so long, had at
last arrived in the person of Aminidab.
Horriblew you eXclaim. o, no ! the ug-
| liest person in the world when seen through
lovers eyes will look lovely. Mr.. Fagge
began to grow beautiful in my eyes from
he moment that father threatened TO kick
him from the door,
He called the next day while father was
out. l received him into the parlor.
told him, as gently as l could, that father
had conceived "A dislike for him.
impossible" said Mr. Fagge
mot at all. He said he would aid you
in making your exit from our door, if he
caught you here again."
81 think l had better retire" said he.
"oh, no 4! father is never at home at this
hour"
"But this is dishonorabe"
"We can't help dislikes, you know, Mr..
Fagge," | said with my most bewitching
smile. "You called to see me, l believe !;
| am of age, and shall be happy to see you
at any time when you please TO call"
An angelic smile lighted up his counte-
nance, and to me he seemed really beauti-
full. When we parted at the door, he press
ed my had slightly. Ohi it was 30 sweet
After that, Mr.. Fagge and l were togeth-
or almost every day. Luckily my father
was not aware of this | did not suppose