Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-01-02
WOODSTOCK, VT, THURSDAY, JAN. 9, 1878.

so longed for power to express my SYM
pathy and desire to be of service as at
that moment, but all | could do was to
press her hand warmly, and promise to
send the carriage for her. How value
less words are at such times.
John was home before me. Great,
lazy fellow! he had nothing to do but
look out little for the property he had
amassed. He had made heaps Of mon
ey, invested it wisely, and the result
was not only physical inactivity, but a
morbid mental condition which seemed
to me, as in my love | watched him
more closely than anyone else, develop
ing in marked and disagreeable
avoidance of all society. He rode alone,
walked alone, sat in his room and read
and studied and smoked alone. He let
me in, however, at all times, and seem
ed desirous of making me happy. My
husband at this time was abroad, so |
suppose he felt some obligation con
cerning me.
As usual, found him on the library
lounge; reading.
"Oh, john" said /, II have lots to
tell you. Guess where ] have been,
and what | have found! Oh, such an
adventure as | have had"
"Adventure ?" he repeated with a
laugh. "Adventure g? why, bless your
heart, little sister, women are always
having adventures. Don't ask me to
bother my brain about such Il common
place subject.'
"But guess where | have been
"Shopping, of course. What did you
buy me, Kate?'
Il haven't been shopping at all" |
answered. Don't you remember what
we were talking of this morning."
"Oh yes" said he, Il remember.
You said you couldn't put it off anoth-
er day; and now suppose You have
been cut and fitted in a truly Partisan
manner, and will outdo and overwhelm
every lady Of your acquaintance"
That's as much as you know" i'll
terrupted, wrathiully. Il have found
dress-maker, John, just the sweetest,
cunningest-I'll tell you all about it"
And while ! stopped a second to take
breath he broke in, almost harshly.
"The dress-maker You spoke Of be-
fore you went out? Is her name"
"Andrews-Nlrs. Andrews" | sug-
gested, in my enthusiasm quite forget
ful of his horror of the name
"And she is coming here he con
tinued.
Yes, next Monday
swell, now. Kate said he, while
his eyes looked staight into mine, Il
never want to be compelled to meet
man, woman or child by that name.
SO You will please bear in mind that
while that woman is an inmate Of this
house ] shall take my meals in my own
room, or after you have finished -
"But, John,' | entreated, "have you
ever seen this woman? Can it be that
any reason for this aversion has origin
ated in herr"
"Good Heavens! no. What possible
connection do you suppose could ever
have existed between your dress-maker
and myself? I thought you had some
sense. Kate. 1t was man who made
me Il monomaniac on this subject, so
don't ask any more questions.
| Ndnt ask any more question; and
what was more, | firmly decided that
my brother and his freaks were quite
beneath my notice. But | did make
ready for my dress maker, dedicating
to her use as pleasant room as | had
in the house-one that | knew she
would enjoy herself in when her day S
work was done, and she had time to
fold her baby to her heart and rock
her to sleep, as | did mine, in the
dim, beautiful, twilight.
Monday morning came, and with it
Mrs Andrews and the little one, the
last golden-haired, bright-faced,
sylph of a child, just miniature copy
of her mother. Day after day passed;
and, vexed as | was with John, |
couldn't help enjoying and laughing
heartily at the comical situations he
not infrequently found.himself in. 1t
seemed to me that his principal bust
ness consisted in lodging this poor
inofiensive little Mrs. Andrews. She
knew | had a brother, and after the
first day or two gave up wondering
why he did not come to the table.
knew it bothered her at first, although
she had too much good sense to put
her thought into words. She was a
strange woman to manage That she
appreciated my kindness was very
evident but no argument that could
use was sufficient to induce her to sit
with me of an evening in the parlor
or library. She was my d,'ess-0oahe''
that she was very anxious to impress
upon my mind, much to my annoy
ance. The only way | could ever get
her to ride with me was to invent
some excuse for shopping, and in
struct the coachman to drive to the
park afterward. At such times, al
though certain she was made happy
by the change. yet there seemed to be
always something expressing her.
Once said, pushing her gently back
among the cushions, 81 wish you
would try and enjoy this, and get all
the good out of it you possibly can.
See what good time little Maud is
having CThat was her baby's name. J