Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-06-26

III tOWn, Salu FRANK, quickly "Anu rs
for Kerosene oil, I'll agree 10 keep the
lamps In order"
Lets gOW said l, with growing zeal.
Lets goP' echoed Oracle. Aud so over
wheming we're the arguments we brought
TO bear on Arabela that by the time the
discussion ended she had yielded her con-
sent; and before a month went by, we
found ourselves actually at housek eeping
In n picturesque cottage not far from Dex-
ter station. AS for the locality of Dexter,
II will not he indicated OH the maps vet
awhile, there being not more than six
houses In the place, all told but we liked
II none the less. or course there were in
conVenences, especially for the first few
days, when owing TO the non arrival OF our
Kitchen ware and china, we were sOmew hat
puzzled 90 know how to furnish forth our
board, but they only served To add zest to
the enterprise.
Jolly, isn't itH' said |, presiding as
gracefully as possible at "a battered peach
can in place of Il tea pot.
at IL just fun," said Grace, using her
fingers for II fork, AS she helped herself to
sardines.
al wish you could find some more lady
like word, my DEAR" remarked Arabella,
calmly slipping her tea from terra-coita
vase, and managing TO maintain her ma
tive dignity in spite Of the fact OF being
seated ON an inverted wash tub.
Jolly doesn't half express it," said
Frank, taking lingering looks at the land
scape as she buttered her bread with pen
knife at is bessedness ITSELF" and when
things were fairly "put TO rights" even
Arabella was forced to agree with her.
One day 1t was found necessary for some
of us TO go TO town to order household sup
plies, aud as Grace had a headache and
Frank was still too much In love with the
country TO care for sight OF the city, Ara
bella aud ! decided to take the morning
express and make the needed purchases.
We had fully expected to be at home be-
fore evening, hut in one way and another
we were detained until there was barely
time 10 catch the six o'clock train. 1t was
only an hours ride, however, aud with a
delicious sense OF rest wo shook off the
dust OF the city aud gave ourselves up
50 thoroughly to the pleasant anticipation
Of soon being home, that we scarcely heard
the stations called.
1--WE must be near Dexter" said Arabel-
la at last, rou sing from a state OF semi-un-
consciousness. and picking up her hand
bag.
"Beg pardon, ma'am," said a voice he
hind us, but we have Just left Dexter"
at can't lie possible r. cried /, rushing
frantically 10 the rear Of the car, and men
tally wondering why in the world we had
not taken The opposite side where we might
have seen the name even If we had failed
to hear it called but regrets were unavail-
ing. for surely enough there was Dexter
receding in the dim distance like "A dream
Of the past.
"Why. we shan't get home Tonight
We must stop the train! We must do
something r. CALCULATED, turning TO Ara
bella, who, amor properly thanking our in
formant, had followed me at her usual dig
nitied pace but her undistuIbed air exas-
peraled me, and without waiting for an an
swer. / hurried 10 the other end of the car
in search Of the conductor.
There's no help for II, miss" said that
polite official. "I'll put you oil at the near
est station, that's only three miles on, and
you can easily get some one To bring you
back"
Small consolation it was, but as the last
up-train had already passed US there was
no alternatives aud presently we were
standing forlOrn and dcsOlate on the plat
form of the Bedford station, three miles
from home, and the "shades OF night
gathering about us with unwelcome rapid
ity. Two unkempt boys, with their hands
in their pockets, stood staring stupidly at
us. "Dun know, num-" said one Of them,
in answer TO our anxious inquiries, "there
amt nobody round here as keeps hosses
'cept farmer Hill; +; and having pointed out
farmer Hilfs house, staggered away and
left us to our own devices. A tresome
tramp across the plowed field brought us at
last to the farmers door, and here it was
we were told to walk in and make our
selves "to hum" till "Ralph" could come
to our rescue. Five minutes later the old
man reappeared, tanning himself vigorous
ly with his broad brimmed hat.
"Here's Ralph Strong; he'll take you
over" And this was our introduction, for,
as he spoke, spring wagon drew up at
the gate, and the bronzr-faccd driver, with
with gallant bow, informed us that lie
was at our service. Evidently farmer
Hills nephew, whatever might be the
state of his "narves," was a man of intelli-
t,ap anI raHnnnlant-uy pnaHa
covery before we were mile on the way
and so entertaining did he prove that, tired
and hungry AS we were, we were half sor-
ry when the ride came TO an end. Frank
and Grace, alarmed at our long absence,
were watching for us at the gate, and Ara
bella, with gracious cordiality, introduced
the stranger, explaining in an aside who he
was. or course, We invited him in, and
though, in consideration of the lateness of
the hour, he politely declined, he promised
to do himself the pleasure of calling in
few days.
"He is very gentlemanly and agreeable"
said Arabella, with emphasis, as seated at
the table we narrated the events OF the day !;
aud it must be confessed that we were all
rather elated at the prospect of having our
solitude invaded now and then by this
same gentlemanly and agreeable person.
Beyond the simple fact that he was a
farmer HilPs nephew from college, We
knew nothing whatever about him, but his
face aud voice were of themselves suffi-
eient 10 inspire confidence, and before ma
ny weeks went by we had become TO regard
him as our right hand man. Arabella con-
suited him on all matters of business, and
Grace and were constantly asking his ad-
vice about gardening, while Frank, who
had.set her heart on raisinga brood of chick
ems, held animated conferences with him
as TO the best ways of promoting the health
and happiness of her feathered pets at
least when the two sat for half an hour at a