Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-07-17

that sort; the truth is ever since left
off school l have wanted something to
do, and have had it in my mind to
speak to you about it"
With this | looked at Tom fearing
he might be vexed; but he did not
look vexed, only preoccupied.
81 do know place, as it happens,
he said, after a while, "only am not
sure how it will suit you.'
"That's soon seen," said I. "What
is it like ?"
"Well, lisa sort of-of general use
fulness-"
"Why, it must be to run errands, I
said, laughing. "And where is it
Tom ?"
"Well," said Tom, hesitating again,
cts with me-"
GLOW very nice" | exclaimed.
"IIow soon can | have it,"
"The sooner the better, so far as /
am concerned" said Tom, and with
that he turned round and looked at
me, / knew somehow, in a minute,
what it was he meant and / knew
too, both that l could not have passed
all my life with Will BROMLEY and
why could not.
| am sure Lefty Walters, who inter
rupted us just then, must have thought
my wits were wondering that evening,
and, indeed, they were; for I was
completely dazed with this sudden
turn things had taken, Tom, who had
the advantage of me there, took it
quite coolly, and laughed and talked
with Lefty just the same as ever till
she went away.
1t was pretty late when we went ins
Mother sat where we had left her knit
ting in the twilight.
"Wasn't that Lefty Walters with
you while ago?" she said, as we came
up.
"Ycs," said | with a confused feel
ing of an explanation of something be-
ing necessary; "she just came to bring
me the new crochet-pattern she prom
ised me.
Him." said mother, as much as to
say that she had her own ideas as to
what Lefty came for. Tom had been
wandering about the room in an alb
sent sort of fashion, taking up and
putting down in the wrong places all
the small things that came in his way.
He came and took seat by mother.
l became Of a sudden very busy with
the plants in the window for / knew
he was going to tell her.
"Wish me joy, Aunt Annie said
he. 'It is all settled"
"Settled, is it?" said mother, in
anything but joyful tone. $50 it's
as I expected all along. Well, you
have my best wishes, Tom; perhaps
you may be happy together, after all !;
I'm sure hope So"
"This wasn't a very encouraging sort
of congratulation, and Tom seemed
rather taken aback by it.
"Im sorry you are not pleased" he
said after a while; II had an idea
somehow you would be-"
81 don't know from what you judg-
ed. But there, it's no use crying over
split milk. You'llbe married directly,
l presume; / must be looking out for
a house, and mother stroked her nose
rehectively with her knitting needle.
"What for?" said Tom; | thought
of keeping on here just the same"
II never supposed otherwise" said
mother. "Of course I did not expect
to turn you out Of your own house"
"But what is the need of looking
for another then?"
"For myself"
"For yourself!" repeated Tom, in a
tone of utter amazement. "Going to
leave us just now, why, Aunt Annie,
I never heard of such a thingW
"Now, Tom,' said mother, speaking
very fast, and making her needles fly
in concert, "we may as well come
to an understanding at once on this
subject. am fully sensible Of your
past kindness-now let me fnish--1
say appreciate it, and have always
tried to do my duty by you in return,
as hope l shall always be ready to
do. l wish all good to you and youl
wife, and shall be glad to help her II
ever | can, but to live in the same
house with her, is what would turn out
pleasantly for neither of us, and once
for all can't do it."
"Aunt Annie" said Tom, pushing