Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-03

trely, TO be sure, but yet there might bo
something worth seeing; so after n litllo
reflectng she decided il would be handy
to have dose of salts and SIENNA in the
house, and she might as well step to the
doctors and get il then as any time.
There was no need to wait for the grass
to dry, for Mrs. Woodcock' s chocolate and
white calico, guiltless of pannier and in
nocent of a train, did not even brush the
plain leaves and the fairy speedwell bos-
sons bordering the well-trodden foot-path
that led from her doorstep straight into
the world. And her heavy calf-skin shoes
squeaked to scorn the idea of wetting
through.
SO she tied on her og-cabn sun-bonnct,
that had pert calico bow prospecting from
the top, took her crooked handled green
gngham umbrella, to act the double part
of supporter and protector, and set out
not TO seek her fortune, but seek some
body's misfortune.
The way to Dr.:Seacrests was across tn.
green away from the black cotton nGs
down by the river; away from the street Of
stiff white cottages, whoro the mill opera
tives lived away from the commonplace,
two-story dwellings clustering around the
church, the store, the blacksmith's shop
and the post office; to a bit of level slightly
removed from "The Hollow by sloping
hill. Here were scattered a group of hous-
es where the doctor, the mill-owner, the
minister and two or three prosperous far
mers lived. Lived so the Hollow people
said "stuck up" andapart from thoirneigh-
bors.
But this aristocratic isolation was all the
work of the Hollow, for, as Mrs. Wood
cock often said,-
"Folks can choose their own places in
the world. If they have a mind to hold up
their heads and be something and some
body, they can be, or they can be nobody
and nothing-eithcr one"
Accordingly she held up her head and
made herself somebody, equally in the
kitchen of Mary Duffy, the Irish laundress,
in Speck Lane, at the lowest dip Of the
Hollow, and in the spacious mansion that
crowned the top of Quality Hill.
So now she went up to the wide flower
bordered walk leading to Dr. Seacrest's
stately doorway with the assurance of a
welcome guest; and tapping confidently
on the open door, stepped in with little
nod and courtesy as much out of respect to
herself as of Difference to Mrs. Seacrest.
and her daughter Miriam, sitting sewing
and looking as tranquil as though no storm
had ever passed over either vineyard or
spirit.
."Dear me! Is it you, Mrs. Woodcock ?
How you startled me Come in. We were
speaking of you not half an hour ago."
cried Mrs. Seacrest, who was a lively.
cordial woman, as round and flushed as q
poppy; and always sitting in the sunshine,
no matter what clouds there might be in
the sky.
Mrs. Woodcock came in. "Quito show
er we have had," she said, dropping upon
n velvet sofa with an air of being very
much at home on velvet. "I noticed as /
came along, Mr.. Hulbert's oats are bdamn
fiat, and / should not wonder if n good
deal of injury was done by the hail
Every likely" replied Mrs. Seacrest Sc
rencly. "Tho hailstones were very large,
but it has come off beautifully now, and
the air seems so much purer for the storm" !"
Some people might have been put aside
at this-but not Mrs. Woodcock. She per-
ceived that something lay under this placid
surface, and never troubled by excess of
delicacy, proceeded at once t1 send out her
bloodhounds.
"How was it herc?" said she boldly.
Anything damaged about your grounds"
"The dahlias; some of them were brok-
Ell oif-didn't father say? ?" responded Mrs.
Seacrest, appealing to her daughter. "And
| think some glass was broken in the hot
house. The doctor had just ordered diff
ferent style of sash, so these are out of the
way just in time.'
Everything was always fish that came 10
Mrs. Woodcocll's net.
"Tisn't that said Mrs. Woodcock to
herself. "Something heavier than hail
stones is on her mind" =
So she started on another trail.
"Heard from Ernest lately?"
"Not very long since, replied Mrs. Sea-
crest, carelessly, but with the faintest shade
ow of shade slipping across her sunny
face for an instant.
"That's it," said the visitor, inwardly
nodding approvingly to herself For it Is
not everybody who would have had the
skill to touch upon the sore spot so soon.
But before she had decided upon her next
question Mrs Seacrest spoke again.
1--WE are expecting him home soon, Mrs
Woodcock, with his wife,"
ellis wifem cried Mrs. Woodcock.
Even with her discerning foresight she
was not prepared for this announcement,
Ernest Seacrest being yet junior in the
S tate University.
Miriam looked steadily upon her work,
flushing with look of painful annoyance.
but her mothers tone was as blithe'as eyk
eyes" said she. ERNEST is Young.
he? But after all, he is as old as |
when married. Our children take us by
surprise, coming to be men and women so
much sooner than we expect"
"When do you look for him-then ?" fall
tered Mrs. Woodcock, too much bewider-
ed for her usual aptness at questioning.
"Almost any time; I shall not be sur
I'''SN "a thNy Nohic to'idN, unsWcTcu h!S.
Seacrest, not able to conceal some nervous
dread.
Not dread that the married pair might
arrive before Mrs. Woodcock should go
away with her long eyes, deep ears and
broad tongue. Oh, mol Mrs. Woodcock
would have scorned herselfwith contempt
uous scorning If such unworthy jealousy
hal OIL lao. -
So she sat, and sat, and sat, and sat, whlo
Mrs. Seacrest sewed, and sewed, and sewed
and sewed.
Miriam, evidently unable to bear the
slow torture, soon found an errand to hes
room, and found no reason for returning.
wasn't your sons marriagea little sud-
den to your" asked Mrs. Woodcock, as
she had collected her ideas.
"Somewhat. But it is so much better
fn 10