Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-02-23
A CHANGE OF BASE ;
BY RUTH CHESTERFIELD.
or, the dattital daughter.

David Thompson new house was fin
ished at last the litter of carpenters ant
masons was cleared away, and now he
had brought with him his intended wife
that they might plan for fitting up.
David had been engaged three years
but being prudent young man, he said
he could never marry till he had a fair
start in the world. He thought he had
it now, since, IN addition to youth,
health, house and twenty acres Of
land, Mr.. Burch, the great mill-owner,
had lately made him his foreman, po
sition he had long coveted The we'd
ding day was therefore fixed for Septem.
Der -, three months hence.
For once in the worlds history, no
one found any fault with the match, but
all declared the happy pair were we'll
suited for each other.
Salie Dearing, the bride elect, was
neither a beauty, belle, nor genius
she was just sweet, womanly woman,
with domestic habits, and great many
little feminine tastes and fances.
AS to the Dearing family, they were
respectable, root and branch, and always
had been, as far back as memory or
records could 60.
AT the present time, none of them
were remaining in town save Sallie and
her parents, who were getting to be
elderly people when she was born.
"Its good house and thoroughly
built" said David, looking around him
with satisfaction. 81 allowed none but
the best material to 60 into it. 1t might
have been done third cheaper, but |
said not is for lifetime"
"And so bright and sunny" said Sal
lie; "it seems like home, already. Some
houses strike chill as soon as you enter
them, but | don't think ours can ever be
one of that kind
Il don't think ony house could, with
you for its Mistress returned David
galIantIy.
In every apartment Sallie found some.
thing to praise and admire, from the
bay-window in the parlor to the wash
boilers in the back kitchen. Opening
the door of the bed room on the ground
floor she remarked, "this shall be our
fathers and mothers room. It's just
near enough to the parlor for company,
and just far enough off to be quiet. You
must have planned it on purpose for
them, such a dear, good David ao you
are And the young lady laid her hand
caressingly on his arm.
David took no notice of the slight ad-
vance, however, but stood twirIing his
moustache, and looking thoughtful and
embarrassed.
"Of course my parents are TO live
with us?" said Sallie, questioningly,
after pause.
81 feared you might be expecting it,
he answered, "and | have evaded the
subject in snch way that hoped you
would understand me without any ex-
PLANTATION. 1t seems you did not, how
ever, and the explanation may as well
come now as any time, If you will
think the matter over, you will see that
this thing caunot be-"
"Why not?"
"Because nobody could reasonably
expect young man to take such bur
then upon his shoulders"
"But they'll not be burthen upon
you-at least not much. My parents
are not paupers."
"And who'll take care of them in their
old age?" asked David.
"Who should, but the daughter they
took care of when she was baby?" re-
piled Sallie.
81 want my wife to acait on me-
81 don't think I should ever fail in my
duty to my husband.
"Im sure you wouldn't, my darling,
so now it's settled, and we'll say no more
about it"
"David, put to you the same ques,
ton you put to me. Who will take care
of my parents in their old age? WHO, if
their daughter forsakes them?"
II don't ask you to torsake them"
said David impatiently; "thats just like
your high-hown way of putting things.
am willing you should do as much for