Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-10-25

| answered Deacon ShackelfOrd. "Ill ask
you now. Have you any objection to an
offer Of marriage from Mr.. Brodhead ?
There -
"IIo is very bashful man, Mr.. Brod-
head is, Bella, and so he got us to help him
along little. Why, he is love with you,''
interposcd Mrs. Deacon Shackelford "he
is in love with you down to his boots"
"Let IL run down TO his toes, them" said
/, beginning to feel like new yeast.
"But you can't have anything against the
man." persisted Mrs. Deacon. "And,
think after awhile you won't have
your grandfather and your Aunt Su-
sanna to talk to, and you will miss
IL If you don't have somebody in their
place. 1t is best TO think of these things
And you won't find a kinder man if you
search the world over with wax candle,
than Mr. Brodhead."
"Mr. Brodhead is well enough, Mrs.
Shackelfoid. l don't deny that. But the
idea of making a proposal of this ~
through 'middie-menP It is too absurd "
I said laughing, and putting on my hat
So l went home to my classes in embroid-
cry, and drawing, and wax work-to max =
ing Aunt Susanna's caps and grandfather's
coffee. My life was full of monotonous
work in those days; and sometimes had
a strange, uncomfortable impression of be-
inga machine wound up and running with
out any act of its own.
One evening when 1 was putting away
the silver after supper, and feeling the creak
and crank of the wheels more than usual,
as though the machinery needed oling the
front gate slammed and steps came along
up the walk.
| ~ knowed some one was coming. I've
knowed all day some one was talking Of
coming" said City Pullen, who, "to ac-
commodate," as she often told us, had kind
ly consented to rule over our kitchen and
us with rod of hard pine lin the form of
a crutch).
AS City had no home, no money, and
only one foot of her own, but as good as
four ears and two tongues, it might seem
sometimes the accommodation was two sid
ed. However, things are not what they
| seem.
81 knowed it was Mr.. Corliss y pursued
City triumphantly, as grandfather opened
the door and disclosed the figures of our
minister and his wife. 81 can tell his step
as far off as 1 can hear it. Did you ever
notice his oyes?" she continued. "They
look Il Ike two holes burned in blanket.
And he holds his head just like Deacon
Shackeliord's old white horse.'
Then she disappeared into the kitchen
With her crutch and the cat while Aunt
Susanna put in her teeth, and on her black
silk apron, and went with her meeting
house step into the parlor. When I follow
ed soon after, 1 found her talking in as
steady a flow as the waters came down at
Lodore, 10 Mrs. Corliss, who sat by the
woodbine window, with her hands folded
in black netted mitts across her lap, and her
tea-colored cuils shaking their heads, as it
were at the world and its vanities. While
gran dfifther, who had been the senior titi-
con for fifty years, and had no idea that
even the church edifice could stand with
out him, was already deep in discussion
with Mr.. Corliss upon the question then
abs orbing and disturbing us, as to whether
our Sabsath School should hereafter be
called a Sunday School.
al can never consent to have religious
organization known by a heather name,"
grandfather was saying as had heard him
say half hundred times before.
And Mr.. Corliss, with his serene white
head bent toward him, was thinking how
he could braid in one of the fossilized ia
Tiers and the versatile sons of the
church.
So there was nothing for me TO do but to
sit and smile, and listen; for grandfather
and Aunt Susanna were not the persons to
yield the floor when il was once theirs by
priority.
"Mr. Corliss, is it not time for us TO go?"
said Mrs. Corliss at early star-rising,
with her measured dignity.
Certainly, my dear" replied Mr.. Cor
liss, rising at once, with his head still bent
to catch grandlathers last sentence.
"Bella, put on your hat and walk ont
with us a little way. 1t is charming eve
ming" said Mrs. Corliss, turning to me af-
ter taking ceremonious leave of Aunt
Susanna.
OF course / went for my hat. / should
as soon think of insisting on breathing in
an exhausted receiver rs of refusing to fol-
low suggestion of Mrs. Corliss. Or so /
supposed then. But l trembled in my
heart, and began to run over in my mind
all my little over-dones and under dones.
She had such Lady Superior way, that,
though really loved our minister's wife,
| always felt sense of guilt, and never at
ease, with her.
But il seemed 1t was not that l had been
late at church, or absent from sewing soci-
ETY. this time. Neither had | bow too ma
ny or bow too few on my Sunday bonnet
Worse, though, Mr.. Brodhoad had been to
her.
my dear" she began, as sweet and as
cold and as stiff as dish of frozen custard,
81 want to have a serious talk with you on
n serious subject And perhaps l may as
well say at once, Mr.. Brodhead has solicit |
ed the good offices of Mr.. Corliss and my
self between you and himself.
lie seems TO be an earnest admirer. but a |
very dlfiident one. What should you say |
to the idea of entertaining a proposal of
marriage from him2"
~ couldn't think of such thing for a
moment, Mrs. Corliss. have no expecta- |
tion or wish ever to marry any one," said |
/, feeling very much annoyed
Mrs. Coriiss sighed severely. Marriage |
is II divinely appointed institution" said |
she, "and not TO be lightly set aside with |
out due consideration and prayer. You
are not now prepared to give final answer |
to so important matter. 1t comes upon |
you suddenly. Take time, my dear young
friend, TO think it over carefully, prayer
fully, and with view to what is your du-
ty."
Mrs. Corllss shut her lips tight, as though
TO keep her teeth in, and then kissed mo |
good-night-a son, clammy kiss that made
me feel as though l wanted lump of sug-
ar. Accordingly, | went in the house and |
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