Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-04-24
WOODSTOCK VT, THURSDAY APRIL "a, 1878
that she would try and do as he had

DlQuen neF.
And she had resolved that she
would go to the work at once. She
was a woman of energy and of decid-
ed character, and when reason was at
the helm she was q woman of resource
and power. Only the enervating in
fuence of ease and fashion had brok=
en- up the true wife character.
1t was on Saturday that her father
called. He stopped to dinner, but
could remain no longer, though he
promised that in a few weeks he
would come and spend happy time
with them.
"And, my darling" he said, as he
kissed his child at parting, "the hap
piness Of that time will be Just as
bright as you have mind to make
it."
Della had grown strong and firm in
the cherishing of her new-made resolu-
tion, and she answered, as she return
ed her fathers kiss
81 will make it as bright as I can.
Do not fear TO trust me-
The next day was Sunday, and the
breakfast hour was not fixed; yet the
meal was prepared earlier than usual.
Della had arisen and prepared it her
self, and she wondered, when it was
time to call her husband, how the ex-
ercise of the morning had invigorated
her. Her appetite was keen, and she
felt healthful, happy glow through
her whole frame.
"Whcre is Bridget?" asked Charles,
as his wife arose from the table to
bring the cofee-pot from the range in
the kitchen.
81 have let her 60" answered Della,
quietly, "and have engaged new
servant thought it best to make a
change"
"When is she coming ?"
"She will be here this evening, ready
to 60 at work to morrow morning"
Charles did not wholly approve Of
this dismissal of the old servant; but
remembering the occasion of the last
discussion of the servant question, he
held his peace, and said no more,
AT the tea-table, after day Of calm
and peaceful rest, the remark dropped
inadvertently from Charles lips:
"How pleasant it does seem to have
our home to ourselves, even for a brie1
space, doesn't it, darling?'
"In other words" said Della, with a
smile, "what splendid servant YOU
wife could make, if she would"
"No, no." cried Charles, in alarm,
81 didn't mean that. l only meant
that there are some conveniences oI
life which must be classed as necessary
evils.
And so the matter was dropped
and the rest of the day and the even
ing passed pleasantly and happily.
Monday morning came, and Della
was up with the lark, leaving her hus
band and her child asleep. 1t was
wonderful how her cheek glowed, and
how freshly her spirits arose, with
this new exercise. By the time
Charles was up and dressed breakfast
was ready and upon the table. And
such breakfast! She had been 6
grand cook in Ithe earlier years, fol
both her mother and her father had
regarded the duties Of the household
as among the first of female accom-
plishments. The first piece of valu
; able jewelry she had ever worn hac
been presented by her father upon the
occasion of her furnishing him with 6
perfect loaf of bread of her own max
ing and baking. So Della was gooc
cook now, for she had not forgotten.
They sat down to the breakfast
table in new atmosphere. A new
light had broken in upon the home
though Charles knew not yet whence
it had come; but he felt it, and his
heart warmed beneath its genial in
fluence. And how fresh, and beautiful
Della looked. What a color was il
her cheeks, and what brightness il
her blue eyes. And then the food!
81 declare, Della" he said, with {
glowing colntenance, "this puts me il
mind of your own grand cooking
Did your new girl make this coffee
and these mullins" ?"
Eyes answered Della, quietly.
"And do you think you can keeE
her? Will she stay with us 2"
"Yes,-l think she will stay"
"Where is she?"
IVo, ,boll eoo bor offar hroo1, fae Of