Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-07-05
bout week after the date of our first

so. She's making over her own dresses
for Mag, and cutting over my old clothes
for Sam. She's fixed up their rooms with
pictures; that's nonsense TO be surej but
then Il goes to show which way the wihd'
blows, and she's as pleasant rs a basket OF
chips to mother. 1 don't care about so
much talk myself, but then she'd get over
that expect. never see her settle down
and take to work more contented. She
knows there Is no place like tho old farIns
lisa good deal better for her than teach
ing. She gets on too high train, some
times, amusing the children, but Keep
steady hand. She'll prize her fortune all
tho more If IL don't come too easy. 1t spoils
women to let 'em know you set great
store by them. Makes them TOO exacting.
Resides, 'tisn't as though Priscilla brought
property with her. Teachers don't lay mp
great deal. Now, when 1 come TO terms,
shall tell Priscilla she shall have half the
profits of the dairy, reg lar, for her and the
children, and she can have share of the
pound sweetinps cvery wear TO setd TO ies
mother free of charge. / call that pretty
handsome. shan't fatter her any. 1 don't
girl and knows what it is to get such home
as this. She helps mother considerable
with the house work, but she'd take hold
If she had an interest"
The early summer days sped on with
their dew, and glow, and shine, and per-
fumed flower bells and bird songs.
Prissy made constant paradise for the
children. Her sunny content brimmed
over on all about her. Prissy lreshened up
the whole house.
81 don't think much of these nicknacks,
and of rummaging up old things for cur
tains and cushions, though the parlor does
look considerable as Ellen used to have it
before she got poorly. But then put up
with the fancy doings for l calk late it
shows, you sec, what she would do in time
If she was mistress, and had an interest on
the farm. 1 don't say great deal, never
do. ! amt going TO act as though / was
so drefful pleased, if she does take palms.
never did by Ellen.'
CHAPTER III.
Prissy came down stairs one bright, roy
al morning. Dew lay on the clover. The
birds were holding grand concert.
Prissy opened doors and windows, and
let in floods of sunshine. Grandma had
had bad night, and Prissy had coaxed
her to take an extra nap while she took up
the duties of the day.
81 calk'l late it's about time TO make my
arrangements" soliloquized Ezekiel as he
went toward the stables. "The weeks they
are slipping away, and she might as well
be taking an interest in dead earnest"
Old Mrs. Goodenough would probably
have confirmed Ezekiels opinion, if she
had been privileged, by renarking that
this was literally the kind of ''interest"
Prissy's sister bad taken.
"To-night, when the cows are MIXED"
mentally continued Ezekiel, "I'll ask her
TO 60 over TO tie graveyard, and we'll talk
the matter over"
When the sun hung low in The west, pnd
broodng hush was upon everything, Eze.
kiel stood leaning, with folded arms against
the fence, and looked away over the big
meadow and the wheat field.
81 calk'lat she's been expecting it he
fore. But 'twasn't best TO be too fast. It's
well enough to have it understood that
woman can't step into such a home as this
every day." and he walked slowly toward
the house.
"Hilloa! who's that?"
The ejaculation was forced from Ezekiel
by the unusual sight of a spirited bay rein
ed up 10 the gate, and gentlemanly look
ing person alighting from covered buggy.
"Tisn't the minister, and it don't look
like chap to trade horses. Somebody on
some other sort of business, l calk late"
Ezekiel took the shorter route through
the south bars, reached the house and en-
tered by the side door.
No one met him and told him that
stranger awaited him. Ezekiel was sur
prised at this. He made his way through
TO the cool parlor that Prii sy kept garnish-
ed with flowers and periodicals.
Prissy's beaming face first attracted his
attention. Then a tall, handsome man,
with an expression of countenance at once
intellectual and genial rose, and was pre-
sented as Prissy's friend, Mr.. Hastings.
Ezekiel's deaf ear was turned toward the
speaker, and the words "my friend" escap-
ed him.
"He introduced himself 10 her while he
was waiting for me-" soliloquized Ezekiel
Like enough now he's in the railroad
companys interest, and.they want some of
my land"
few general remarks were made and
still Prissy remained in the room and join
ed in the conversation, and the stranger
did not introduce his business.
"If you want to see me on any business"
finally remarked Ezekiel, when a pause
occurred, 81 suppose We can step into the
ne xt room," glancing as he spoke at Pris-
sy.
81 am Obliged to you" replied Mr.. Hast
ings with deliberatlon, while mirthfri
CLEAN shot into his eye. "But am taking
vacation from businessRo called es-
pecially TO see Miss FeYton this evening,
We are old acquaintances, Mr.. Pratt. l am
fortunate in finding her at home this eve
ming, after my long ride over your beauti-
full hills"
Ezekiel presently found himself one too
many. The experience was novel one.
He walked out under the elms.
II calk late he's principal of some school
or other. Perhaps he wants to engage Prls-
sy for teacher. He talked about vaca-
ton. / ought 10 have put my claim in a.
head, maybe; but then, 'twont be anything
binding if she should talk about teaching.
don't calk'late she will. She's got her
calculations same as have. She is sensi-
ble and her coming up here means some
thing. might have told her my plans be-
fore, s'pose, but it isn't the best way to be
in too much of hurry"
Meanwhile, Prissy was saying to Mr..
Hastings: 81 did not ex 9ect to stay here so
long. My sister Ellen left me very SOL
emn charge. have told you something of
my sisters life. She wished me to take
guardianship of her children, so far as cir
cumstances would allow. She wished me
10 take entire charge of little Maggie. With
Z