Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-06-20

1ous under MIN.
ooh, a matter of three miles, or therea-
bouts p and with a nod and knowing
glance, and mo further news, boysp' TO
us, the little mule, answering to the spur
of his rider, struck into brisk gallop,
which speedily carried them both out Of
sight.
There we stood, inquiringly facing Lot.
He gulped awhile but finally out with 1t:
"The fact Is boys-Pm marriedp' and
with this lucid explanation, Lot, with rap
id and somewhat unsteady step disappear
ed within his cabin.
After few seconds, he hastily emerged
bearing In his hands pack OF thumbedand
greasy cards, a set Of dice, several worn
"6ime novels" and an old "comique song
ster."
"I guess, boys, shan't need these any
longer" he said, flushing painfuly-alter-
nately standing on one foot, and then shift
ing his weight TO the other; $50 I thought
I'd lust clean 'em eout. Some wimmen
folks is pertickerler, ye know"
Chris took the articles, and offered TO keep
them for him.
"Well, If ye've a mind to I'd be much
obleeged TO ye. 1t mougbt be possible
barely possible, ye !know-theyd come
handy sometime" And Lot, his neck just
bending to receive the yoke, looked for
ward with dim expectancy to dim chance
of future release.
Plying the poor fellows evident discom-
fiture, we refrained from joking or ques-
tioning him, and impatiently awaited those
coming events which had SO unmistakably
"cast their shadows before"
| Just at sundown a novel train was seen
vending its way toward the camp. Lot
stood in the door of his cabin, while We,
drawn together little in the background,
watched for developments. In advance
rode figure in female apparel, perched
upon the back of gaunt pack horse, a
child Just passed the threshold of infancy,
clasped by one arm, and another, also Of
tender ears, sitting astrido the pillon, its
limited embrace aspiring to encircle the
maternal waist. A trifle in the rear came
rough mountaineer, in the capacity of
guide, sandwiched between two children
of larger growth, the elder of whom could
not h ave exceeded the age of ten years. A
monstrous dog of the st. Bernard breed
formed. successfully, flank and rear.
Checking the beast when within few
rods of us, the woman gave keen scrutin-
izing glance around, which rested at las,
fixedly upon the countenance of Lot.
"That's him ~ she exclaimed in a strong,
decided, though not unmusical voice, nod
ding Significantly TO the guide. "W IL
stop"
Clasping the infant tightly, and loosing
the arms of the other from about her waist,
down she slid, 1.-THE as a young girl; and
in twinkling had the three children on
their feet, and the youngest transferred to
the arms of the ten-year-old.
Lot waited in an apparently detected
mood, while she settled with The guide
from her own pocket, with business-liHe
dispatch. Then she led her little brood,
followed closely by the dog, up to the door
of our nelghbors cabin.
"Well, Lot, we're ceme."
~ see you have, Marier!'
And the door closed upon Lot and bis
family.
On the ensuing morning we were able 10
arrive at more correct estimate of the
new conner, who early introduced herself
TO us as Lots wife," She was of fair
complexion, short in stature, and very
slim about the waist. Her thin flaxer
hair was drawn smoothly back from 9
prominent forehead. and in tight button
like knot at the back of her neck. Rest
less blue eyes, a sharp nose, thin cheeks
and firm, large mouth, filled with even
white teeth, completed the list of her per-
sonal characteristics. Energy, business
decision was written on every lineament
of the little woman's countenance-spoke
in every restless move Of her "lissome'
body.
In the first three sentences she spoke Q
contract was matured, to the effect that we
furnishing the wherewith, should thence
forward look to her 10 keep the pot boil
ing" at the average rate of "twenty five
} cents head" per diem.
Lots children were miniature reproduc
tons of the mother; aud were under q
control little short OF automatical. Ever
Lion, the great st. Bernard, seomed tC
know his place, and performed various Use
ful duties, under the judicious eye of hi
mistress and ruling spirit.
"Never had much opinion of dogs, any
way" she said, rather apologetically, ont
morning, as distributing our breakfast she
glanced ut Lion and the infant, rolling an
gamboling together In the deep, warm sand
"Never could bear one, until Lion there
T then only half grown pup, saved m.
first baby. He, just weeny, toddlin
thing, got out of the door, and down TO tn
creek; and the first thing / saw was th
dog, bringing him out, strangled and drip
ping, in his mouth. | wouldn't part wit
that dog for his weight in gold "
, Whatever Lots inmost mind OF secre
repinings, his outward life bore evldenc
a of a marked revolution towards the side G
r fruitful and vlrtuous industry. No NOR
loiterings at tasks or levity of demeanoi
r no judicial magnate ever clothed himsel
, In dignity and relcence more severe tina
, characterized Lot under the new admins
tration, at whose head stood his brisk, Iii
1 tie wife.
To us, the advent of Lots wife marke
3 a new era in our existence; wholesom
= food, tidy cabin, and, above all, no darn
, ing of socks, or washing days. The wi
! derness had begun to blossom. We eve
attained to, now and then, the luxury OF
a "biled shirt" We were opening up ne'
and richer vein in our claim, and prosper
ity and contentment smiled upon us.
II was an evil day that dawned upon on
camp in the gulch, when ono Of the boy
}, ten miles above us, turned in on his wa
to the city, almost PROSTATE from a sudde
attack of mountain fever, and with none