Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-11-25

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coming to spend a few weeks with us,
and Mrs. Marston handed him tn
letter.
"Well, papa said Nellie, do yo1
think we can entertain one of sucl
high notions ?"
81 think we can, my daughter ant
Nellie's father gave her little pat Oh
her rosy cheek, which caused a blusl
to deepen there. "Oh papa, | vii
tell you what I want to dot will b(
such capital fun-you know this city
cousin of mine thinks us, countr,
folks, set Of greenys, let's not IN
deceive him, let me see how country
fled l can be for once, will you not
papa and mama, this once, please. -
And as Nellie was the only child Of
course she could not be put off, so ii
was agreed she should play the coun
try cousin and her parents were to
help her in the plot
In order to let our readers know
that Nellie was well informed and by
no means a vulgar country girl,
though she may appear as such to
Harold Brockway, we will say that
she had graduated with the highest
honors at Vassar College, and no pains
or money had been spared in making
her perfect lady which she was
With her ladylike ways and sweet
rosy face, no wonder that she was the
most coveted prize in Wheeling
Mr.. Marston, who was a jovial,
kind hearted man-the poor mans
friend, and the one who owned the
most acres had the best regulated
farm in W., was the person that
claimed Nellie as his daughter. He
granted her every wish for she asked
for naught but what was necessary or
beneficial, though the little farce she
intended to play on her cousin was
not particularly necessary, yet sho
wanted to show him that people who
lived in the country were not all lack
ing in civility or hopitality.
But the broom and duster were at
once put IN motion, and the best room
in the house set at rights for the city
guest ; lthe carriage was renovated
throughout, the span of bays were
duly groomed, and every thing put in
ship-shape according to orders after
all was done they had but to await
the arrival of their visitor who came
just as the family were about
seating themselves at the tea table,
which abounded with all the good
things of which the farmer always
boasts. Yes, Harold Brockway with
his three trunks and half dozen
boxes had arrived. A tall spare per-
son with moustache and side whisk-
ers, altogether fine-looking fellow,
excepting his pompous appearance,
we should set him down as quite a
prepossessing parsonage.
But we have still another person to
introduce, dear reader Fenton Gray.
lie, chum of Harold's, but a far diff.
ferent man from his friend Hal, as he
called him; why the two ever came
to entertain so much friendship for
one another is more than l can tell
for Harold was quite the opposite of
Fenton in every respect. The latter
was mild and quiet in disposition, free
and full of wit and good humor,
while Harold was inclined to be set
in his way, and very selfish, ever
ready to be waited on as one could
see by the way he introduced himself
at the house Of his Uncle. Not stop
ping to rap he pushed boldly in and
with how do you do he asked
"Where are all your servants 2"
"Here is one, young man, what
can do for you said Mr.. Marston
rising from the table ?"
81 want somebody to help unload
my trunks and get them into the
house this is Mr.. Marston l pre-
sumo, and you, looking at Mrs. NJ,
are my aunt glad ito see you, hope
I'm not intruding too much, but twas
so deuced hot in the city Fen. and I
thought we would come out and take
the country air; things are looking
quite green up in these parts" and
Hal, took good long look at Nellie.
81 suppose you are my cousin, are
you not, Miss ?"
"Ye-es SIR said Nellie, who could
hardly suppress the laughter which
wanted to burst forth, for she noticed
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