Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-06-04
WOODSTOCK, w. THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1874.

; and solemn as Druid temple, and OF
the other side of the bridge whit
road, winding ribbon-like away, VI
which the carriage came, whirled to
ward us by the ebon horses.
They had brought some one will
them. A young farmer, bearish and
gruff of voice. Certainly not my super
ior in any way. Yet how attentive
Mira was to him! How pleasantly she
listened to his account Of his last fish
ing excursion! When he called across
to me:
"Had'ny luck ?"
She answered for me.
"Of course not, cousin Paul never
catches any thing or shoots any thing.
Basket and game-bag are both newt
ably empty"
"Haw haw! Now that amt true,
is it ?" roared the farmer.
81 sha'n't contradict lady," said l.
"Wa'al I would if she said that to
me" said the gentleman. "She couldn't
though; I always hev luck. Haw,
haw!"
I flushed scarlet. Certainly it is no
crime to fail in catching fish or shoot
ing a bird; but no man likes to have
his failings in these particulars remark
ed upon by girl, who evidently de-
spised him for them, in the hearing of
a roaring lout who prides himself up
on his skill, and that day my basket
was empty indeed.
l flung my rod away in a few mo-
ments and wandered into the woods.
Mira's laugh followed me tor a long
while. Now and then the coarse haw,
haw of her companion. Even to such
a brute she was complacent. l ground
my teeth and kicked innocent pebbles
mercilessly, and was muttering savage
ly to myself when a jovial "Hallo,
Paul !" tell upon my ear, and before
me stood Ben Hillgrove. Blackeyed,
merry, water-loving Ben, who seemed
to be always in a boat, just going to
step into boat, orjust stepped out
of a boat, when he was not on board
h;- s,o+oh
Give been looking for you Paul!'
he cried "Some ofmy college friends,
the best fellows you ever met, are going
out in the Hety HHlg,oye tomorrow;
you must come with us. You shant
say no, as you always do. I'll not
listen to it, q intend to say yes and
thank you,' said I, quickly; and Ben
tossed up his cap. I could have tossed
mine also in my joy at being so readily
provided with an excuse to run away
from Mira, laughing at me with her
boorish escort.
'We go on board tonight at nine,
and have supper in the cabin said
Ben. You'll be there 2
Yes I said.
Good by until that time, them said
Ben. You know where she lies !
thought so. Don't fall and he was
off like shot.
They were waiting for me when I
returned to the river side. Miss Mira
and her escort chose to tease me about
my long delay. 1t was all ola piece
with the rest. I flung her back re-
tort that sounded merry enough, and
climbed to q seat beside Cato. 1t was
a pleasure to take the reins from his
hands and drive the horses home at
their full speed. The headlong race
did me good. Once there I hastily
repeated Ben's invitation. But you
are not going 2 said my aunt. You've
but just come to us.
4 can not refuse Ben this time;' l
said; indeed | can not, aunt
why should you, my boy?' asked
my uncle. .,
'Why indeed, mammal said Mira.
Imagine the luxury of living week
in an atmosphere of smoke and whisky,
afar from civilized society!
Pretty high parties some O them
yatch'in ones, said the farmer
Every one to his taste though
so say I. 1 leave you to keep
each other company l answered, and
left Mira and her Orson together.
AT nine l was as merry as the rest
in Ben Hillgrove's pretty cabin, over
a supper that would othave disgraced
Delmonico's.
AT dawn the yatch was on her way,
as graceful and fair thing as sailed
the waters.
Had we too much smoke and whisky |