Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-02-09

posite the fireplace.
Miss Jemima besitated, in doubt I
was her mothers portrait ought the
likeness of the regretted dead to b'
framed round with gala leaves Blu
yes. That mother, she hoped, was il
great happiness, singing the songs of tho
redeemed that Christ the Saviour came
down to rescue,
III do it myself, Bridget. 1t shall
have beautiful little border all round
the frame
There wasn't none round him last
year, remarked Bridget
No. The loss seemed to have been
so recent then.
and where'Il put the m;slleoo p
A fine bunch it be, Miss Jemima,'
Miss Jemimas bushes came red and
hot at the question. fortunately the
evening had grown darker.
I,-don't think--I can have any mis-
tletoe in here, Bridget said the sensi-
tive lady. Keep it for your Kitchen
Law, missus, just 81 little spray ont
for luck. There: III put him to hang
out from the top O. the glass over the
chimbley. Nobody won't see him
there
Miss Tamarind yielded carelessly ; it
was the dining-room, not the drawing
room few visitors came into it, and
her handmaiden might be right-that
it would never get seen. 1t was many
year now since Miss Tamarind had
received a kiss under the mistlctoe
since any swain had attempted to offer
one. She heaved silent sigh as the
thought came home TO her.
That's about all now, Miss Jemima.
The room looks rare and joval.'
Bridget meant jovial. Miss Tama
rind assented, and swept the odd leaves
into the girls apron.
i should like my tea at once, Bird
get. 1t must be nearly five O'clock
Bridget brought it in presently, with
the candles and toasted muffin. Miss
Tamarind then put on her cloak and
bonnet; for she had promised to 60 and
he in the decorating Of the church.
A little old-fashioned church, that
might have been built by its architect as
curiosity, this of St. Johns. Miss
Tamarind found host ofladIe5 at work
nearly all buried in evergreens. The
old rector had looked into sec his Gu
rate, Rev. Sandy Macfuseras, was Co.
ing his best to help the ladies.
A tall, meek, mild-eyed gentleman,
this curate-who had gone bald at the
top of his head, and had fringe of gray
round it. He was immensely popular
in the district, chiefly because he was
unmarried. SO many single ladies, old
aud young-not to speak of the widows
had never attended St. Johns Church
as since he came to it, year ago. The
previous curate had wife and seven
children; and the ladies' bad then most
ly gone to another church, saying this was
draughty. Mr.. Macfuseras was turned
forty-four, and readily owncdit. There
was no chance of his marrying his
stipend was too small and he readily
owned that. But perhaps he was not
believed. He shook hands with Miss
Tamariud; who threw her cloak off and
began TO join in tive wreathiug with
will. 1t was this gentleman that Miss
Tamariud would have liked to ask to
share her dinner on the morrow but
dared not.
Suppressed tittering arose on tie 9th
er side the mound of green. A piece of
mistletoe, as big as piece of parsley,
had disclosed its sacrilcgious presence
amid the holly.
oh, Mr.. Macfuseras-such a mis-
take ! cried the gushing voice Of Miss
Juno-a young lady with a magnificent
top-knot of hair. DO look! We can't
put it in, can WEI
The mistletoe was pushed forward,
and Mr.. Macfuseras coughed behind his
hand, in some confusion. He was guile
less as a child and some supposed the
ladies ran about after him for the good
of the parish.
what is it?' asked Miss Tamarnd,
peering forward, but quite unable to see.
She was naturally very near-sighted
and seemed to see less well year by year
but she didn't say so.
What is it it!-why mistetoe: so vul
gar, you know giggled the young lady.
And Miss Jemima Tamarind, between
the remembrance of what Bridget had
done at home, and the presence of Mr.
Macfuseras beside her, felt her face turn
as scarlet as the holly berries
you can drop it on the floor, to be
cleared away with the Rubbish mildly
suggested the reverend gentleman, as he
worked away with his pen-knite, cutting
off sprays. N.. H..
By ten o'clock the work was COM
pleted, the decorations were up in the
curious old church. Oue small gallery
came perching out from the wall over
the entrance and facing the chancel,-