National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-08-30

portiOnatelv majestic, he seemed like
Apollo and Hercules in one.
" Can this he the hired man 7" thought
Fanny and then she looked at his dress.
Not trace of servltudc about him but
he treated her with extreme Difference, said
but little, drove with the precision Of Il
man accustomed TO horses, and drew up
before the cottage in grand style.
Fanny was in her sisters arms, and after
her the baby came in for a fair share OF
kisses
swell, is that your hired manN queried
FANNY, after her comfortable instalment
in one of the luxurious easy chairs.
"Yes, dear that is Mathew Dom. How
did you like him ?''
He looks Ikea gentleman" said Fan
ny, after a little pause.
He is a gentlema '4lr. in the best
sense Of the world I told you that"
"And does he speak English well 2"
"Why. child, he isn't foreigner"
laughed Olive.
81 mean erammatically," said Fanny
"Oh yes presume he has had a good
common-school educatlon,n replied Olive,
"and some hing better. | know there are
certain classical books in his room wheth-
er he ever reads them or not ! can't say
"Why in the world does he hire out ~
cried Fanny, dismav in her voice.
why shouldn't he r. asked Olive,
laughing heartily again " He likes the
country, is used to horses, and--and
suppose he can't get anything better to
do.n
But a man like him might be some
body calculated Fanny, with vehemence.
"My patience has he no ambition
Pm afraid | shall despise him.
Perhaps, dear. he wouldn't mind if you
did" said Olive, hiding her face in the
white neck OF her baby. He Is so very
independent"
Surely, why should he care what she
thought of him soliloquised Fanny, her
cheeks flushing.
The next day she met him at the table.
1t seemed strange enough to sit down with
hired help, but she was forced to confess
that in nothing did be give the impression
OF being a menlal.
"Shal we take hold OF that tive-acre lot
this morning p he asked, respectfully, OF
Mr. Maynard, Olives husband.
No; prefer you should look to the
drainage OF tbat strip east OF the hill,
was the answer. There II be no rain vet
a while, and want to prepare the land for
potatoes"
Fanny watched Mathew Dom out on the
sly, and Olive caught her at it.
81 wanted to see what kind O! dress
he works in" said Fanny, with tell-tale
cheeks.
"Don't you think him little hand
somer IN his blouse and heavy field boots; y
asked Olive
"He certainly i. very handsome" said
Fanny, frankly but why in the world
However" she added, stopping short, ''it
none of my business but such "A man as
that should surely work his own land"
THAT'S true, ~ said Olive, quietly.
Time passed on. Fanny became accus-
toned to lat. sit, and even talk with tn |
hired man. One day Olive took her up into |
his room. Fanny stood aghast. 1t was as
exquisite IN its way as lady'S boudoir.
He furnished it himself" said Olive,
in reply to Fanny's look of surprise.
A Wilton carpet murmured Fanny |
{" marble-top set: that Psyche those
flowers and what is thisf" She lifted
n lovely little miniature from the table,
one of the most beautiful and refined faces
she had ever seen.
"Oh, one of his lady friends, ! sup
pose" said Olive, in her undemonstrative
way. And see how perfectly neat every
thing is kept; always in this beautiful
order. Do you wonder Harry calls him
,'ard dris ?"
Indeed cannot said Fanny, slowly;
- but he must spend every cent he earns
to furnish himself in this extraordinary
He has nothing else to do with his
dear" said Olive; "he don't even
buy cigars. For my part | think he is
perfectly elegant
Fanny said nothing, but she found her
self wishing that she knew who was the
original OF that lovely miniature, and try
ing to reconcile the tastes and surround
ings of the man himself with his servile
Not but what the work was
good enough, and honorable for any man;
hut why was he not laboring for himself
instead of another9
For days she thought of the miniature.
Every time she met him, heard BIN talk
or sng-he had fine voice, and was not
averse to using it-up popped that mys-
terious face with the Spanish eyes and
the clustering curls.
Mr.. Eben Wocott, meantime had
taken advantage of her reluctant permis-
sion and brought his dashng team to
Winnicut. Poor Fanny. at sight of his
IL Il Ii, ,.oll |
bowed spectacles, and thick gray whis-
sers, felt strange sinking at the heart.
Why would the six-looter rise up in her
and cause by mere force of
contrast repulsion so terriblel
"lt's positively wicked for me to seem
to encourage that man." she said, almost
oassionately, one morning, the day after
lrive.
(Which man 2" ak d Olive, innocently
and their eyes met.
The red blood flew all Jer poor Fan
ly's face; she felt hot to the crown of her
lead and yet why should she9
That's pretty question to ask ~ she
nearly angry.
well, dear, but how am | to know
that man is 2" queried Olive, with
conscious look.
"You know it is Mr.. Wolcott," said
Fanny, nearly crying.
"Well, he is good man, and rich
,ne," was the answer. 81 know girls
who would jump at the chance, as the
saving is. | ,r0uld either marry him or
send him off"
"Pshaw," said Fanny, biting her red
lips; and few moments after she left the
room. conscious of new, painful, and
At the same time strangely delightful ex-
No use to try to conceal it or