Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-12-29

The deacon certainly experienced nerv-
Gus start. For an instant his tongue was
paralyzed, his brain whirled all his ideas
seemed resolving TO chaos. But he was
man of the world, prided himself on al
ways being equal to any situation. There
was mistake this was not the woman or
place he had sought, but it should never be
known, so with his most courtly air, he
gave his name, and inquired respecting the
swine.
"Mrs. Adams had not thought of dispos-
ing of any, her hired help ate great deal
of pork during the summer, but perhaps
she could spare a couple; her foreman, Mr..
Dole, would be home soon. They must
consult him. The gentleman must stop to
tea after that there would be plenty of
time for business"
The supper was a very sociable one. The
deacon learned that David Dole was the
prospective son-in-law, as well as foreman
of Mrs. Adams; but he was even more
pleased with Miss Susan than he had been
, wiih her younger sister. She, having been
initiated in the roguish plot played her part
to perfection, and the mother, though per-
fectly ignorant of the conspiracy against
the visitor, or of his mistake, was too shrewd
to believe that the purchase of couple of
pigs was his sole errand. Pleased at the
prospect of such respectable match for
her eldest daughter, she strove to be as gra-
cious and entertaining as possible.
The widower, surrounded by so much
feminine sympathy, became extremely
confidential. With tears he diated on the
beauty and virtue of his deceased spouse,
gave detailed account of her illness and
death, concluding by graphic description
of his loneliness and domestic troubles.
Words and signs of consolation were
breathed around him. The widow be-
moaned her bereaved condition, "but she
was an old woman and had two such daugh-
ters. Her girls especially the eldest, had
been such comfort since her husbands
DEATH"
The guest, looking unutterable things at
the damsel, twas sureit must be So" while
she comforted the mourner with shy, little
glances, and sweetly lsped half-finshed
sentences.
Supper over, Mr.. Dole arrived with Il
sled-load of wood drawn from a distant
wood lot. The bargain for the pigs having
been satisfactorily concluded, Tabitha Dole
came to spend the evening. Apples were
brought, nuts were brought, and bowl of
hot punch mixed.
The tall clock in the corner struck nine.
Tabitha donned cloak and hood, and es-
corted by Edward White ostensbly started
homeward, but in reality the pair proceed
ed no farther than the long back kitchen,
when rakng open the smouldering fire
| they quietly seated themselves upon the
settle in the chimney corner.
| Mrs. Adams rolled up her stocking, took
the knitting sheath from her side, and plac-
ing both on n high mantel, brought the large
family Bible and politely requested Dea-
can Cluff"to set the house in order" which,
after a slight show of modest hesilancy, he
| proceeded TO do in his best style, which re-
ally was very good.
Prayers over, the widow complaining OF
fatigue, but begging the visitor not to hast
en- his departure, sought her bedroom. The
young ladies and Mr.. Dole became more
entertaining. Some cold chicken was
brought, and another mug of flip made as
|
long cold ride. The merriment increased
till somehow the deacon found himself
alone with Miss Susan Adams, who was
demurely knitting in her mothers low
rocking chair by the small round light
stand. He pushed his seat forward and
strove to take the work from her hand. She
coquettishly resisted The chair went for
ward another hitch, something intended to
be sweet and complimentary was stam-
mered, then everything swan before his
vision, his eyes closed, his head sank on
his breast, and the pious, distinguished
deacon Cluff was fast asleep.
The maden's needles clicked, the fir,
snapped and sizzled, the cat purred on the
hearth, the clock tick-tacked. tick-tacked
then rang out eleven. The deacon never
| moved.
The door leading from the back kitcher
was cautiously opened and four merry fac
es peeped in. Miss Susan put up her knit
ting, and with motion to silence, softly
opened the dairy room door, and bringing
forth n tall, upright churn, she quietly
placed it between the steeper's knees, ant
then noiselessly covering the fire with ash
es she blew out the candle and joined thu
gay quartette in the next room
A little suppressed laughter and thu
young men went to their chamber, whil'
the girls betook themselves to their sleep
ing apartment, a bedroom adjoining thu
kitchen.
need not say that though the bed wa
sought ii was not to sleep.
Towards morning deacon Cluff awoke
rubbed his eyes and shook his benumbeC
limbs. Over went the churn with a grea
bang and rattle on the broad brick hearth
The cat, with terrible sissing, flew up tn
chimney and took refuge on the lug pole.
The widow lifted her night-capped head
and muttered that the uncanny witcl
Goody Sleeper was at her tantrums riding
hither and thither through the night on he
broom stick. What was she up to now
Some mischief at the barn, she warranted
she must cut some hair from one of tn
critters tails and burn it on the morrow
Comforted at the thought of this specifi
| against evil, she dozed off again. Mean
time the deacon was becoming conscious {
his whereabouts and situation, A goo
deal asnaiheu' NasIly ProNoheu' y'' III sl'l'
of his ire somewhat amused, he silent
groped out his hat and coat in the entry
then as quietly made his exit from tn
front door, which had been conslderatel
left unbarred. Making his way to III
barn, by the light of the moon, he easl
procured his horse, the bride hung upo
the stall, but the saddle was missing.
bare back ride of ten miles was no pleai
ant prospect, but alter searching Will
the deacon concluded it must be done. II
was only too glad to have the moon SUE
denly obscured, that he might escape bein
. recognized by any chance wayfarer.
Nothing occurred to interrupt his lionel
ride. Near dawn he arrived at his ow
p door, wiser il not a sadder man.