Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-02-23

one"
; But have you never read how th
stork, that was young and strong-winge(
carried the old one on its back an
would you have me less dutfuI than tn
fowls of the air?" replied Sallie.
"Aftcr all, the brute creation are nc
patterns for us" said David, seeing hoy
Sallie had turned the tables upon him
"And don't the Scriptures say that ma
shall leave father and mother and cleav
unto his wife? Answer me that, O
course, the same rule holds good 70
women, too. SO now, my dear, let NJ
drop the subject. | haven't shown yol
the second story yet. | hope you will
admire the staircase And the youn!
man started to'lead the way up stairs.
Its no use to 60 any further sale
Sallie. mournfully, yet firmly.
What do you mean by that?' asked
David, pausing and looking back.
That l shall live where my parents
do
without me 2
That's for you to decide
'And | haze decided. Of all the wo-
men in the world, | have chosen YOU
but when l marry you, | do not marry
your family
Very well, David
How am ! TO understand"
That you and part company
Very we'll it is, then. But let me
tell you this; I'm not the man to be
trihed with. 1t is now or never with
me-.
Never, said Sallie
and let me tell you further; that if
you won't be mistress of this house,
there are plenty that will There's Jcn-
ME Burns, the haudsomest girl in the
country-l will not say she is to be had
for the asking; but | have reason to
know that she thinks favorably of me.
As to this freak of yours, it is nothing
more or less than sheer obstinacy, under
the guse of filial picty.
Hard words avail nothing; but this |
will say, that whoever you bring here,
be it Jennie Burns or another, | scarcely
think she can be to you what could
have been-I, who have loved you so
long and faithfully. And, David, when
you shut me out Of your life and home
because 1 refused to break the Fifth
Commandment, take care that you do
not shut out Gods blessing at the same
time
Salle had advanced to the outside
door, and was standing on the threshold,
and the setting sun, which, through the
hazy atmosphere, was red as blood,
shone full upon her; as she said the last
words, she raised her right hand to
heaven, and, bathed in that crimson
light, she reminded David of a martyr in
the flames. He thought she had never
looked so noble, and that he had never
loved her so well, but he answered not
a word. He walked home with her in
silence, and refused to enter the house.
Mr.. Burch, besides being owner of
the mills, was an amateur farmer. He
took delight in drives aud strange breeds
of animals, and rare specimens of plants.
He seldom visited the mills, leaving the
care of the business almost entirely to his
foreman. Beyond these facts, the towns
people knew little of him, for he lived in
great seclusion at hi, place, Riverbank,
which was a mile or two out Of the vii
lage.
Having heard that his foreman was
about to be married, he offered him the
prettiest Jersey heifer on his farm as a
present, and invited him to come and
select it himself. David thanked him
very heartily at the time, but had never
availed himself of the Offer Mr.. Burch
this might be diffidence, and
one day rallied him on the subject.
I'm not going to be married, sir,-at
least not at present." said David, look
ing glum.
Indeed l hope nothing serious has
occurred, said Mr.. Burch.
Its all off, said David, shaking his
head.
"A lovers quarrel, perhaps? If that's
all, don't despair Young ladies like to
be coaxed.'
Not Sallie, sir said David
Il suppose, then, she has taken some
new fancy They're tickle creatures,
these womcnkind. What suits them to-
lay otfends them tomorrow. Well,
cheer up, my lad, and learn to get along
without them, as / co, said Mr.. Burch,
smiling, and laying his hand lightly on
Davids shoulder.
I'm certain Sallie never loved any one
but me, answered David decidedly, 'aud
since you are so kind as to take an in
crest in the affair, l will tell you the
ruth about it. She was unreasonable
enough to expect to saddle me with the
care of her old father and mother
And you could not afford to take
such charge. Well, l am glad you
old me, for that is easily settled. Rather
han two young people should be disap-
pointed, I'll raise your salary
1T was not just that, said David
the bearings have little property of
heir own-but she had some fine home
'pun notions about the matter, and
wanted to take them into the family
'Oh = said Mr., B., and paused abruptly
seemingly in'ently occupied with punch.