Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-06-20

Perhaps you know something abou
him ~ says |.
"No," says she. "How should ?"
"He'S a gentleman that is separated
from his wife," saysI.
"And came here and talked agans
her," says she.
"No." says !, "not word. He's tn,
injured one, | think. He spoke high o
her."
"0h," says she. Then she washed
away for while. And after a while, sht
says:
"Spoke high did he? Ahw
She didn't speak again until dinner time
except about the work. Then waiting OF
the table in her big sun bonnet, she
came out with saucer in her hand.
{" want little more pudding" says
she.
Gone help of pudding ought to dc
boarders," says |.
Says she:
ats for Mr.. Skiver- He didn't ask
for it, but know he's fond of pudding,
and he hardly eat any meat. Poor critter
didn't look at the wilder once no more
he didn't at the gal. Looks low-sperited
too. Give him my piece, Mrs. Entwistle,
il you can't afford no more.'
"Such meanness isn't in me, Sally"
says "but don't let the other boarders
see it, if you can help"
That was the beginning of it. After
that it went straight on. Sally was as
well-behaved woman as ever | met,
otherwise and she kept her face covered
up in her .un-bonnet, and mostly her chin
tied up in her handkerchief too, in way
forward pieces don't often do. A pretty
face she had too-pretty enough for a
woman of her age. But it was as plain as
pikestaff to me that she had fallen in love
with Mr.. Skiver.
Talk about pity! | pitied him but
didn't feel as she did. She bought things
out of her own money, and took m up to
his door on tray-ae and pie, and such.
She made his room windows shine, and
put clean pillow cases on four times a
week. She BACKED his boots and brushed
his coat, and laid herself out to make him
comfortable. And the fun was she never
let him get glimpse of her face, and she
always said, "Mrs. Entwistle sent you
this, sir,n when she took him up the
trays. Other kind of conduct, I'd have
YOU to understand, I'd not have allowed
beneath my roof.
SO things went on for a spell, and surely
Mr. Skiver was proper man. "Never
spoke to the ladies'" so Sally said never
seemed to know that Sally was alive. The
widow called him cold Suks," and the
daughter called him "Crossness that |
knew and Mrs. Henbane, the married
lady that flirted with all the boarders,
coulnd't get a word from him. And one
day Sally sits down on a kitchen chair,
and pushes her sun bonnet off, and says
she:
"Mrs. Entwistle, mum, that man is the
most particular | ever see, and credit to
his sex. Give him shad for dinner"
Now shad at that season, just come in,
you know, is too dear for boarders.
Says |, "Sally, how can | afford it 2"
Says she, "Send me for tim rare
hand to bargain"
Says 1, "Morta man can't bargain down
lIeSu spIlHS SHdu.
Says she, "Give me what you can af-
ford, and I'll see"
And did it. And | know that tie
critter took money of her own to help it
out, for finer shad were never stuffed and
baked on any table.
When they were all helped | saw Sally
standing peeping in at the door, and
I Ir1t h., 4
she was rubbing her hands in rejoicing
sort Of way and soon she whispered to
me:
can't it nice to see him eat it 4? knew
that would 20 down.
And | knew she meant Mr.. Skiver.
And was sort of laughing to myself, when
suddenly up jumps Mr.. Skiver and begins
to stamp about the room.
"Oh, what is it 2" says I.
Bonein his throat, =" says Mr.. Dillwin.
"Tbat's the worst of shad."
COW WOW wow" coughs Mr.. Skiver.
'Oh oh ohw screams Sally.
"Take drink" says |.
"Oh, let me beat you on the back !"
cries Sally.
He's choking to death, | believe
said the widow.
Let me get out before he does" SAID
Mrs. Henbane.
And there was Mr.. Sklver black in the
face.
Run for DOCTOR" said Mr. Dillwin.
And one of 'em started but before he
was out of the room, Sally had Mr., Skiver
on lounge, and had put her finger into
his throat, and was screeching:
Gag, dear; gag! III tickle your
throat Gag, my own blessing, and it
will come upH o Lord cooked the
shad o gracious bought it. Ogoody,
goody gracious I've been the death of
him! Gag ducky diamond Gag, and it
III come up"
And up it did come, in minute. And
heard the comic man roar as he rushed
up stairs, and | saw Sally make tracks for
the kitchen, as well she might.
followed her. She was sitting on the
floor, all covered up by the big sun bonnet
as though it had been tent.
"Oh, Sallym says l, "where was your
sense of modesty2"
All she did was to groan. And then
there came another groan, and there stood
Mr.. Skiver
Mrs. Entwistle, num-" says he, 1--WE
come to say word"
"Well, sir" says I.
81 must leave, num-" says he.
"Why, sir ?" says 1.
It's trying to my feelings to mention
it," says he, "but it's the conduct of that
person"
"Well, it was singular" says "but
she did her best for you. You was chok-
ing"