Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-11-18

passed III 1Or cOntrlDuClOnS. Every
one laughed and gave freely OF his
substance. The minister waited till
he had placed the hat on the platform,
when he resumed his sermon, under
what might be called trying circum-
stances. And it is yet unknown wheth.
er generous contribution was given
for the Lrrd, or as fair compensation
for amusement afforded by His serv.
ant Obadiah.
Katie had disturbed manner when
Obadiah returned to his seat She
fancied she would share in the ridicule.
she already felt the staring eyes of the
people; and although his immortal
soul was precious in her sight, the i'll
behaviour of its temple-the body
had abated her enthusiasm for it's sal
vation, and created within her the
desire to shift the responsibility upon
the shoulders of some other woman,
more capable, more worthy, who was
weaned from the vanities of the world
and indifferent to its sights and sounds.
Again was Obadiah adrift. Never
did he feel so hopelessly discouraged.
He had prospected every marriageable
woman in town, and the indications
were unfavorable. A tinge Of bitter
ness began to show itself in his con-
versation. He even spoke slightingly
of the sex, and said that they had
better stay at home where they be-
longed.
The summer passed away, and, just
after the first rain, when all the miners
were jubilant over the prospects of a
wet season, there came TO town a
lady, very dashy in appearance, at
home in conversation, and so coaxing
and caressing in manner that her
twenty-eight summers, or thereabout,
were entirely overlooked. She came
ostensibly as dressmaker she hung
her windows full of bewildering pic
lures of ladies with ruffles, court
trains, and accessories Of fashion, after
which she could model with ease and
despatch. Obadiah met her. and
yielded up his heart without strug-
gle. She was woman of tact, and
these live longest in the hearts Of men.
She flatters their weaknesses and
steers clear Of the troubled wateas of
past indiscretion. She never allowed
a blunder to be made in her presence,
and has the happy faculty of making
mishap appear rather as an advantage.
Not that Miss Hopkins was all this ;
but she might have been had sho
lived ina happier time, for she had
the genuine intuitive power that in
sighted the special characteristics of
all the people within the circle of her
acquaintance. She made dresses bad
ly enough, but more than atoned for
it by by well-turned compliments
Each customer came in for her share
her figure, hair, eyes, or any feature
that needed bolstering, got it from the
deft tongue of Miss Hopkins. They
could not give her up, she was as
balm in Gilead. Besides, dressmakers
were not common in those days, and
she was better than none. Obadiah
offered himself, and was accepted
The marriage was to take place at the
end Of the month. His heart was
overfowing with joy. He commenc.
ed Immediately to renovate his house,
anda wing must be added. He sent
to San Francisco for carpets and furni-
ture he supplied wood and pro-
visions in proportion to his happiness.
There was no end to the ham, the
beans, the lard. There was never a
more devoted lover, and his delight |
was not broken in upon by the en-
vious competition of rivals others
visited, but she went with none but
Obadiah. They rode on horseback,
and had quiet little dinners together.
He felt at these times that he had
never loved before no one had ever
so seduously watched the different
stages Of his appetite. After the first
rude crash of meat and vegetables,
came the titillating insinuations of
pudding and cakes from the hand he
adored.
Never since in his own mothers
house had pie been made on pr-
pose for him. His last bachelor day
had come the sun rose in the heav-
ems, and seemed resolved to chang
forever there" AT noon, he wandered
into ravine just at the edge Of the