Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-07-05

home so barren and unloving. I think
that can win Mr.. Pratps consent TO take
Maggie away with me. have plans for
Sammy which I hope will be developed
soon."
e George Hastings declined Mr.. PratCs Of
fer of hospitality, aud went out into tho
moonlight that night for his ride over the
hills.
Ezekiel helped him unhtch his horse.
you were speaking about vacation" he
remarked; "and as you are leaving these
paris Tor good, / thought might as well
ask whether you was trying to engage Pris-
ella to teach the coming year; because, you
sec" and Ezekiel hesitated and stammer-
ed in view Of a binding engagement on
Prissy's part TO teach, "she's hardly in a
situation to decide"
Il believe" said Mr. Hastings, slowly
gathering up the reins, "that Miss FELTON,
does not expect 10 teach again at ALL"
$50 I calk'lated" was Ezekiel's mental re-
sponse as they exchanged good-nights, and
the stranger drove away.
Ezekiel re-entered the house Immediate
~, h'it Prissy was no more visible that
Ssshi' q
The next day Priscilla FELTON, slipped a
little roll of bills into Ezekiel's hand.
81 must go back to Hampstead to.mor-
row." she said. "Ths is the amount |
have calculated due for my board these
weeks that | have been here. Can you TAX G
me to the depot in the morning, or shall l
have Hews send his accommodation for
me?"
"Back to Hampstead board r. repeated
Ezekiel. "Why, Priscilla, had calk lat
ed you was going to stay here right along"
~ must return Tomorrow said Prissy.
circumstances make it necessary"
"Wel now" said Ezekiel, 81 had been
afraid that stranger had made an engage
ment with you"
EYES," said Priscilla, without looking
up she was pulling a morning glory to
pieces. "There has been an engagement
between Mr.. Hastings and myself for two
years or more. We are to be married next
month";"
Ezekiel rose abruptly, clapped his hat on
his head, and went to see the field hands.
"It's sort o. stunnn'," said Ezekiel
"comin' so sudden!'
"Td no idee that Prssy had been laying
up anything" said Ezekiel that afternoon,
when he mad been talking with Miss Eel
ton. "She must have got good wages for
teaching. And she wants TO take Maggie
and do well by her. Fact is, Maggie amt
very strong, and / calk'late it might be
something of saving. It's sudden but
considering Priscilla could not stay, she
made a neat thing Of it paying her board,
that's fact. l always said Prissy was one
of the willing kind" and Ezekiel sighed.
The next day Ezekiel drove the grays
along the river road again to meet the train
due at the Ossegatche depot at 1890, A. NJ.
Maggie and Sammy were going TO stay un-
til after her wedding, at least.
What day that was for the children as
the train went whizzng away among green
grass, fields and groves, and pretty little
villages, and bustling towns, and through
loafy valleys. Aunt Prissy had her own
pleasant thoughts, andfs she felt as ihouel
Ellen's plorited spirit might feel an added
thrill of joy in knowing the children's hap
piness. She could not know that this was
so, but the thought was pleasant one.
Ezekiel drove slowly home alone from
the Osscgatche depot. He forgot either to
urge or curb the grays. They took their
own gait, and Ezekiel pulled his hat down
over his eyes, and gave himself up TO his
own reflections.
81 didn't calk late on this, said Ezekiel
Pratt