Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-02-21

NO. ~ WASH u SilNciy lduBus IL uiuh I
sound one particle like ''the ripping of the
waves upon the pebbly Shore" No, no.
Brit such healthy, contagious burst of
merriment that Daniel laughed quite hear
tily himself, and was sorry when he got
through that 1t hadn't lasted longer.
"Wby, you odd creature"-there were
tears in her eyes, but she'd been laughing,
you know-"I don't think we've got to turn
over much of new leaf. p'-but strong |
arm enclrcled her waist and drew her into |
the adjoining room and there upon the So
IA, side by side, they sat and talked |
until the old Dutch clock in the corner
coughed eleven times--then Mr.. Deliver
went out to feed his stock and his wife to |
prepare the dinner.
II.
1t was 10 o'clock. Mr.. and Mrs. Deliver
had retired an hour ago. But there was a
ire in the stove, and the coffee-pot on the
back part of the same rocked to and fro In
a state Of much agitation. The oven door
was ajar. and we discover inside plate of
sausage, some fried potatoes, and half
mnce pie. We know it's mince, for we
can smell it. A lamp half turned down
stands on the little pine table just back of a
cup and saucer, clean plate, knife and
one fork. Reader, there is no use to deny
the fact that room WAS expecting company.
1t didn't have long to wait. A quick step
on the plank which led from the gate to
the house, a vigoiou scraping of feet on
the stone steps, and the abrupt entrance of
the yisitor-Tommy himself
There was nothing peculiar in the ap-
pearance of this young gentleman except
ing his appetite, that found the location of
the sausage, potatoes and mnce pie in
twinkling, and in another twinkling they
were upon the table by the side of the cof-
e-pot, which had got there in some mys-
terous manner we know not of. OF course
he had on an overcoat, and hat but they
were not at all in the way, and so he sat
down without further parley. In ten min
utes' time the mince pie had vanished; al
80 the potatoes, and the sausage. There
was nothing left but coffee. So be repen-
ished his cup, leaned back in his chair and
glanced languidly around the room. He
didn't glance long-he looked. No won
| der, either for there, suspended by string
| from the ceiling, was a letter. Tommy
1 rubbed his eyes, and at last, fully convinc-
I'd that he was awake, rose to his feet, clip
| ped the cord, glanced at the superscription,
| and found 1t was addressed to himself. He
scratched his head in a bewildered manner
and glanced. in the direction of the lamp.
Overjoyed to find it turned down, he made
the matter worse by producing a blaze
| MI aI bo in
ment. But he gradually got the wick in
the proper position, and finding himself by
this time relieved of any undue excite
ment, broke open the letter. The first
thing he found was ten dollar bill. The
next thing he found was the letter ITSELF 1t
ran thus:
"JUsT BEFORE GOING TO BED, March, 10,
l8-
MY BoY-We thought you might want
to go on visit TO your uncle Isaac's next
week, and we inclose ten dollars to pay
expenses. Don't stay a very great while
not more than two or three weeks-for we
want you to be here to take your pick out
of those Norman colts, and to transact a lit
tie business in which you are interested.
We shall expect you to chop wood the rest
Of the week, Tommy, and I'll fix you up
so you can start on the train Monday morn
ing. Good night, my own dear boy, and
pleasant dreams. MOTHER.
Tommy came pretty near being thunder
struck. He had never been the possessor
of $40, at one time in his whole life before !;
and he gazed at the bill assduously for not
less than fifteen minutes. At the expira-
ton of this time .he drew out his wallet,
folded the note carefully, and laid it as
smoothly as possible in the deepest pocket.
He then re-read the letter, and taking the
lamp In his hand, went out in the wood
house. After considerable fumbling among
the chips he found an axe. Carefully scru-
tinizing the edge he laid it down, saying:
"Confound her, she's dull but 1 guess l
can make her do the rest of the week. One
OF them colts, hey?" and he slapped his
pocket umphantly-"That's gay, and nc
mistake. And there's other business in
which I'm interested, too. Jollyi but
things look lively, anyhow" and the young
gentleman slapped his pockets once more,
} which act put him in mind of the ten dol
lars. So he set the lamp down on a block
, of wood, and Withdrawing his pocket book
! found the Identical bill safe and sound. He
, examined il full ten minutes by the watch
Finally he got back in the kitchen. He
, found the letter just where he left 1t, and
, read 1t once more TO see If there was any.
, thing he'd skipped. He then feltto see 4
: his pocket-book was all right, and opened
1t to see if everything was snug inside
D Seeing the ten dollars, he drew II out anC
. examined II with great curiosity for some
l thing like FIVE minutes, then went TO bed.
r He arose remarkably early the mex
morning-earlier than usual, although h,
had retired at so late an hour. He ate hi
y breakfast with an appetite; but did not ven
! ture any remark in reference to the lette
D he had received the night before. He fel
=. that postmasters distributed the mails with
I out regard to their contents, and concluded
a to keep silent. Promptly at seven he shoul
B dered his axe and proceeded to the woods
where he chopped all day with ansensrg,
] of purpose perfectly surprising. He work
ed Just as hard the next day, and the next
= But that was Sunday. Well, he didn't chol
: that day, but lie thought good deal abou
T max ing money, and the visit almost a
I hand and the $40, and any amount Of othe
: things just as bad you know.
0 Monday morning came at Its regula
!, time, and Tommy was up before daylight
q He was somewhat uneasy at the thought o
having to wait until after breakfast; but h
Q managed to pass away the time packing hi
8 valise. When the bell rang he sat dow
o and drank a cup of tea, and then got u
J. and put ON his hat. He wasn't hungry
;, and might miss the train, aud 80 good-b