Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-05-23

state Oh nlltlu Wnbit nt tShtu bhiO' f''N'Net
with mock humility, whether 1t would bo
of any use for him to try 10 make bar
gain with Dolly.
"Thats more'n I can tell" Mr.. Blount
had answered, "Dolly's puzzle. You'll
have to find out for yourself"
Mr.. Wiggin smiled, in complacent antic-
ipaton of acceptance. Indeed, If 1t might
not seem like reproach TO the memory OF
his lost Olive, should say that the kind
hearted man rejoiced in this opportunity of
making Miss Dolly's happiness.
Benevolence was in his face, benevolence
was in his spirit, and he sailed forth at an
early day to acquaint her wiz her good
fortune. The broken harrow which he had
strapped into the wagon to give the neigh
bors plausible reason for his trip to the
Falls, was by no means typical of mental
laceraton in its owner. His feeling as he
approached Miss Dolly's moss-grown cot
tage was purely one of thankfulness that it
was in his power to provide her better
home. Not that he was grateful to his dead
wife for leaving vacancy there. Mr.. Wig
gin had mourned faithfully for Olive a
year and day.
Miss Dolly was out in the garden gather
ing catnip. She never used 1t herself, but
there were nervous ladies in the village
who looked upon this horb as the substance
pleasant dreams are made of, and Miss Dol
ly dried it every year, and often left little
bundles of 1t when she made visits OF con-
ISOLATION. She had built chip fire under
the tea-kettle, and then whisked off to pick
an apronful of The pungent leaves while
the water was boiling. There she was,
STOPPING beneath the caves of log-cabin
sun bonnet and humming n lively fugue
tune, when Mr.. wiggin drove up.
"'Come, my beloved, haste away"
piped Miss Dolly, cheerily, swapping brisk
ly at the stalks.
"'Cut short the hours OF thy delay;
Fly like youthful"
"'Fly like youthful" struck in
wheezy bass.
The sun-bonnet tipped back like cart
body.
"Sakes alivep' cried Miss Dolly, not in
the words of the hymn, as Mr.. Wiggin
strode toward her on his slightly rheumat-
ic legs.
~ didn't mean TO put you out" laughed
he, shaking hands heartily, "but it seemed
kind % material to take part with you in In-
vitation.'
"You always had way of falling in at
the most unheard of time, 1 remember"
retorted Miss Dolly, saucily, recovering
herself and going on gathering catnip.
She was fifty years old now, and hoped she
had her wits about her.
"You used to say I kept good time, only
too much of it," pursued Mr.. Wiggin, with
a sudden inspiration; "but tell you what,
Dolly, time never dragged with me then as
it does these daysv'
ITS a dull season. said Miss Dolly,
with exasperating simplicity. ~ suppose
the grasshoppers have eaten most of your
wheat, haven't they, so it hardly pays for
reapingS"
"Just So" assented Mr.. Wiegin, discom-
fited. He had not travelled five miles in
the heat to discuss the state of the crops.
'Walli in and sit down won't you ?" said
Miss Dolly with reluctant hospitality. Her
apron was crammed a. last to its utmost ca
pacity. She devoutly wished it had been
larger.
"Well, yes, don't care if 1 do," answer
cd Mr.. Wiegin, alter a hypocritical show
of hesitation. "I had little business fur
ther on, at the blacksmiths. No hurry,
though, as / know Of" and he turned to let
down the bars fol Miss Dolly, who mean
while nmbly slipped through the fence,
catnip and all.
"Bless my heart! don't see but what
you're as spry as ever you was" said he
admiringly, as he puled along in her wake.
Still you must be getting into years, Dolly,
as well as mo oii'ense / hope-and / was
wondering whether or no ii wasn't lone
some for you living alone here; woman,
sop
"Oh, l never was one of the lonesome
kind" responded Miss Dolly, briskly seat
ing her guest in the patchwork accustomed
rocking chair; land for that matter, hard
folks running in"
"Yes, l know; but if you was to change
your situation, wouldn't you enjoy life bet
ter, thnk?"
Miss Dolly tidgeted at the green paper
curtains, and intimated that her present
happiness would be complete if the grass
hoppers would stop feeding on her garden
sauce.
''That's just it," continued Mr.. Wiggin,
eagerly "you do seem to need u man to
look out for your farming interests, now
don't you, Dolly? man that'll be ready
| and willing TO do for you, and make you
| comfortable?"
"I don't know" said Miss Dolly drily.
"The year before father died 1 did have ST.
| las Potter, and he is the most faithful crea-
| ture living; but what with the extra cook
ing and: washing had to do for him, my
work was about doubled, and when mud
time came I was glad enough to send him
off, and hire by the day. 1 about made up
my mind that men folks round the house
cost moren'n they come to-"
~ guess we don't understand one anoth-
err" said Mr.. Wiggin, slightly disconnected
| by this unflattering view of his sex. 81
wasn't speaking of hired help, Dolly. Nat
urally you would get tired with that; it's
worrying to woman, But If you was to
have a companion now-one that could give
you a good home, with wood and water un-
der cover"
"Shoo shoor' cried Miss Dolly, flying
out after an inquiring chicken on the door
step.
Mr.. Wiggin drew his red pocket hand
kerchief from his hat to wipe his glowing
face. Certainly he hadn't felt the heat so
all through haylng.
"How's your health nowadays?" asked
Miss Dolly, frisklng back with look Of
resolute Inconsistencies.
Every good; remarkably good don't
know where you'd find a man, Dolly, will
a tougher constitution than I've got.'