Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-08-10
EDWIN GALPIN'S SACRIFICE.

Stephen Abbott held his little daughter
by the hand the child endeavored to stitle
her smothered sobs, while the great tears
rolled down her face. The grave had just
closed over her mother, and Amy Abbott
felt an unmistakable woe in her heart.
"Hush, Amy!n said her father, as he
handed her into the carriage. There was
harshness in his tone though he meant it
not unkindly, but Stephen Abbott was a
man who never INDUCED publicly in exhi-
billions of grief.
Stephen Abbott's farm would now miss
one who did much to aid him in keeping
thrifty watch over the expenses necessary
in carrying on the business. 1t was few
days after the funeral that he spoke to his
daughter thus:
"Amy, | must now depend upon you !;
the farm will feel the loss Of your mother
in more ways than one; but you are a SEN
sible girl, and therefore can aid me very
much in keeping matters in order"
Now, Amy Abbott was but thirteen
years ofage, and the responsibility she was
expected to assume was very considerable
to one of such tender years.
Ere Amy Abbott had entered her cigh-
teenth year, she had several applications
for her hand and heart, but each sutton in
turn was referred to her father, who care
fully considering the habits and qualities
of the a>pirants, very ungraciously dis
missed them all as in no manner suitable
for husband to his daughter. Amy heard
the fiat 90 forth against several she regard
ed with great preference, but she resigned
herself to her fate with patient humility,
nor sought to intcrpose one word in her
own behalf
About this time there appeared in the
village young gentleman Of remarkably
fine personal appearance. He was, more
over correspondent for an influential
newspaper Now, if there was one profess
sion above another that Stephen Abbott
heartily detested, it was that of journalism
1t was his abomination. AS soon, therefore
as he discovered that George Weir had
made his daughters acquaintance, he set
his face sternly against the attentions he
was paying her. Some of Weir's friends
took the trouble to inform Stephen Abbott
that young Wer's character was unexcep-
tionable, and his talents bespoke him a
promising career. But Farmer Abbott was
not to be appeased in way like that, and
his prejudces once having taken root, it
was very hard to eradicate them from an
obstinate mind like his. He denied the
young man admission to his house, and
otherwise treated him so rudelv that the
poor fellow, who was deeply in love with
Amy, wrote her farewell letter expressed
in the most touching language, and then
packed his trunk and departed.
The field now seemed pretty well free
of popiniays," as Stephen Abbott termed
them, and his mind began to feel some
repose.
One day he came riding home, apparently
in excellent spirits. He had been to the
post office and had received letter from
an old friend in fact the writer had been
one OF his youthful sweetbearts, who hay
ing married, had settled in an adjacent
county. Stephen Abbott had not seen her
for years, and so when she wrote that her
husband and herself would be glad if he
would receive their son for few weeks as
a guest, Farmer Abbott felt a thrill like
that he knew in olden times, dart through
his heart.
The young man was 20 years of age, and
had been suffering from a slight illness,
which rendered change of AIR desirable
Moreover, he was an enthusiastic farmer,
and would be sole heir to his fathers for
tune. These things Farmer Abbott learned
from the letter which Mary Galpin had
written him.
Amy listened to her father with man.
ner which betrayed no anxiety to meet
the object of his encomiums. To be sure,
she thought it unusual for him to appear so
delighted over one he had as yet never
seen, but the poor girl did not know the
motive which prompted her father to ap-
plaud one whose mother he had loved in
other days.
In due season Edwin Galpin arrived at
Stephen Abbott's dwelling. lie was re-
ceived by Stephen Abbott with welcome
so warm that it must have been gratifying
to him. He was a grave and dgnifed
young man, great reader and profound
talker on agricultural subjects. Perhaps
it may have piqued Amy's vanity that he
devoted SO much time and attention to her
father, and so little to herself. But after
awhile he commenced to seek her society,
and she became reconciled enough to treat
him as tavorite guest of her fathers
house. Weeks flew by and Edwin Galpin
announced his intention Of returning to his
home, but Stephen Abbott would not lis
ten to any such proposal, and the conse-
quence was that Galpin was induced to
lengthen his visit.
In many little ingenious ways he con-
tinued to throw Edwin and Amy together.
and the fruit of his scheme soon began to
manifest itself. Galpin began to find him
self desiring the presence of Amy more
frequently than had been his wont, and so
matters drffted on until he at last openly
declared his attachment for the daughter
of Stephen Abbott. If at first she hest
tated at placing her hand and heart in his
keeping, it was only natural. Up to this
she had not learned to love him,
but she could not deny that she respected
him and regarded his talents. The rest
might follow, and she surely was building
on a good foundation.
Edward Galpin never seemed so well
,ontented as when in Amy's society. He
'ead to her and walked with her, beguiling
many an hour that would have hung
on her hands, for her father had
provided her the assistance of a house
,nrnnr which nave her more RELAXATION |