Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-07-14
The Leisure H0ur.
.JOH.r SMITH, .yR.

Yes, that was my unfortunate name-i
name it can be called. John S nth, Will
| the junior attached, to distinguish me from
my paternal relative of the same hcrcdita
ry appellation.
"John," said that respected parsonage
looking up from his paper, "how old ar,
you?"
Now this question, which have under
stood to be distasteful to the fair sex-a
least that portion of it not in the very frs
bloom of youth and loveiness-had nc
terrors for me- so l boldly answered:
"Twenty- eight sir, unless the family rec
ord bellies itself"
"Dont be irreverent, John. Twenty
eight-twenty-eight! y pretty age for q
fellow not to he married y
"Married, sir!
| "Certainly,' quoth my father, sternly.
"Twenty- y-eight-two years of thirty-and
still unmarried. May inquire whether il
is your intention to remain Il miserable,
forlorn bachelor all your life?"
There was no Sinking a subject thus
| pointedly presented.
IL can't say that have any particu-
lar desire that way, SIR / stammered,
blushing.
"Of course not" responded my father,
decidedly-"of course not. | havea rather
better opinion of your good sense, John.
And now that that question is settled, it re-
mains to decide when and whom you are
to marry"
"Indeed, sir, haven't an idea--I-I new
er thought-'
~ dare say not" quoth my father, sar-
castically-"I dare say not and so | have
thought for you, John there he sat bolt
upright in his chair, and fixed his eyes
steadily ON mine: "John, I've got wife
for your
a faint gasp was my sole demonstration.
The announcement came uEon me like a
sudden shower bath.
"Yes sir" continued my father, exult-
ingly. "a wifc-and such wife! Upon
my soul, if were only younger-if l were
but twenty-eight
And my father rose and stalked energet-
ically across the carpet. a sudden sense
of relief came to me.
"You'rc only ffty-three, sir; and older
men have married."
"Hold your tongue, sir How dare you
hint such thing to ne, you ungrateiul
dog The girls for you, not for me-and a
thousand times too good for you, as | must
confess"
"May l inquire her name?"
"Clementina Brownson."
The murder was out. My father had but
just returned from a visit to an old school
fellow and college mate, in distant coun-
| bartholomew Brownson, Esq, and, as
l had observed, had appeared uncommon-
ly thoughtful and preoccupied ever since.
"Spendid girl, John. Just twenty
magnificent eyes and figure; accomplish
-dashing-superb rider-and heress to
n fOrtunei'
There rose before me for an instant, Il
faint, luttering vision Of Il sylph-like fig
ure, with dove like eyes and II sweet, tim
| id yoicc-the eyes and voice Of the doctor s
daughter, Alice Boyne. wondered to my
self why / should have thought of her,
Just at this moment.
"John," resumed my father, speaking
abruptly, and so soaring away the timid
vision. "John, we talked it all over
Brownson and /, and-and, in short, my
son, you're to go down to Fairview and
see C'ementina, and judge for yourself
Better 90 at once for she's just home from
school, and there'll soon be scores of rivals
in the field. Take time by the forelock
boy. You can't help liking the girl if you
have particle Of taste-such fine, hand
some dashng creature. | confess, my
SON." continued my father, with a touch o
pathOs in his voice, "that I've sci my heart
upon this match, and solely with a view tc
your own good and happiness. If your,
not pleased with the girl, or she's moi
pleased with you, why, therell be nothing
more TO be said about ii. However, she,
got an idea on the subject, and so far as
can understand, is fully prepared to like
you. | dare say it will be your own hul
if she don't. They will be expecting yor
down about Thursday of next week--a ball
or party, or something Of the sort. There,
the invitation
And my father threw upon the table be
fore me delic tely perfumed and enamel
ed envelope.
On the Wednesday Of next week, accord
ingly, was like dutiful son and a gal
liant sui or, on my way to the stage depo
Of my native town, having previously
booked my name for comfortable bacl
seat was just in time, as "coachee'
mounted the box.
"All fun sir" said he, looking at m
with an air of compassionate concern
"brim nIll and runuinp over Nou'll haVl
to take place ON the box, alongside o me
I'm aieared."
But I've Il place engaged remon
sirated. John Smith, Jr.-booked yester
day, for one inside seat"
"John Smith, Jr.," remarked the listen