Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-03-19


Hoping to see it on shore again.
If the rose you again behold.
If ever you gaze on your grain of gold
Then believe but not till then,
That there's faith in the vows of men,"
The rich, mclodiou3 voice rang out
loud and clear, reaching way down to
the struck patch" where Mr. and Mrs,
Perry were at work.
"Hark! If that amt Dell singing!
said Mr.. Perry listening.
"Aunt Jeanette raised her head
and pushed back her sun bonnet to
listen
eyes, Dell has walked up agin'," "
was her reply.
Dell had walked up. She resolved
to keep the safety valve open all the
time, for otherwise there was great
danger Of her secret being discovered
The South to the Western man is
the universal panacea for every woe.
Has he "hard luck,' he goes south.
Has he trouble in his family, he goes
south. Has he been disappointed i'll
love, he goes south. DR.. Troop avail
ed himself OF this sovereign remedy
and went to this Mecca.
The following winter was hard
one for Dell Aunt Jeannetle over
worked herself and became confirm
ed invalid. Mr.. Perry's health was
poor too, so the brunt of it all fell
upon Dell.
The next spring it was deemed best
to rent the farm and move to the Sta
ton. The neighbors there promised
Dell plenty Of work at sewing and
other light work that was always on
hand. Indeed, Mrs. Craig wanted "a
seamstress right then, for her daugh
ter Ellen was to be married in May tC
Ambrose Yerrick, and the necessary
wardrobe was to be made. SO they
moved into town, and Dell became
for the time being a member Of Mrs
Craig's family.
To marry "well," in the common
acceptance of the term, had been con-
sidered by Mrs. Craig as the climax
of all feminine desires, and she hac
duly instilcd the idea into her daugh
ter's mind, SO when Ambrose Yerrick
came q wooing, Ellen WAS abuudantly
congratulated.
Dell was watched with jealous eyes
by the females OF the Craig establish
ment, for they knew that rumor haC
attached much importance to Mr.
Yerricks vsite at MI Pemy's The
perceding summer. The bridegroom
elect was kept away from Dell a:
much as possible, much to her salts
faction. But one unlucky day they
met in the hall, for the first time since
her sojourn there. Dell would have
passed him without q look, out ht
stopped her and said in hot whisper
''Haye you any regrets? 1t may b'
yourself yet if You say so ?'
"You villain! Annoy me again a
your peril said the angry girl.
Dell would have left then and there
but after reflection, concluded that Sc
many explanations would be required
and besides it could not hell p her bu
only injure Ellen, she determined tt
stay, feeling assured he would no
molest her again. &.
Doctor Troop in his far-away home
heard of the marriage, and wondered
Could it he that he had misunder
stood Dells motives for rejecting
his suit? Was she after all the tru'
hearted, honest girl he had alway
thought? Since she had not marie,
Yerrick, her refusal must have arlsel
from some other cause. She did no
love him and had no wish to pail
him by listening to his avowal of love
Brave, generous girl
There is always genuine thrill o
satisfaction when a friends conduct il
yindicated; Doctor Troop remove,
the debris Of disappointment from hi.
heart and again enshriued its idol.
AT last it was rumored that Docto
Troop was coming back. Just wher,
the rumor originated no one SCENE,
to know. Like many another rumor
it seemed to have its foundation il
"thcy say So" 1t reached Dcl's ears
and her heart gave great flutter-
perhaps ofjoy perhaps OF pain-sh,
, could not have told which.
1t was late in August. Dell was a
home enjoying resting-spell. Tha
is, resting from her round of work il
other peoples houses, but not idle a
, home. There had been very mucl
!, requiring her care, for the aged coupl