Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-10-01

a.
house since l left the tavern, calculated the
best thing could do was to go right back.
The road was down hill all the way, and
wasn't long in comprising the distance,
but just as l entered the barn, the rain
came down powerfully. The tavern keep
er laughed when ne saw me, and said he
was looking for me back TO supper.
"'Well, I'll agree that you are the best
| judge of the weather. said I, but when l
left home 1 didn't lay out TO put up at tav-
erns, and if could do little something
TO pay my lodging should be glad to-
"'Oh, don't you borrow any trouble about
that said he L won't be hard upon you
but now think of it, 1 have got some grain
in my barn that needs threshing, aud if
! you are a mind TO try your hand at that
spell we'll call il square.
$50 went TO the barn pretty well pleased
with my bargain, and, pulling Off my coat,
made lively work among the rye that was
| spread out upon the floor. prided myself
upon being able to thresh with any man in
the country, and my fail buzzed up and
down the length Of the barn Till you would
have thought there were a dozen fails in
the air. l mind how the young fellows
who were hanging about the tavern came
| and stared at me and made remarks; but
l laid about me at such a rate that they
were glad 10 stand back out of my way.
81 reckon the landlord didn't lose much
by his trade that time. We had fried po-
tatoes, cold salt beef and corn bread fo5
supper, and it was all proper good, no mis-
take.
"The mex! morning the sun rose clear as
a bell, and was of again bright and ear
| ly. l went past cousin Hezbole's, for l
was anxious TO get through to my uncle's
that night. 1t wasn't any great disappoint-
ment 10 me; for as / said, she was only
second cousin on my mothers side, and
though | had never seen her / had always
heard that she wasn't the pleasantest and
most even tempered woman in the world.
If l could have had my choice l should
not have gone there anyway.
~ logged along at pretty good pace
that forenoon, and by twelve o'clock was
| pretty well among the mountains. | had
more than half my dOughnuts and cheese
len. Mother wasn't one of that kind that
scrimped in putting up luncheon, and
there was plenty of good clover by the
roadside, so Brutus and / were not ac-
countablc TO anybody for our dinner that
| day.
"About sundown l reached Bolton, but
| didn't know in just what direction my
uncle lived, so I stopped before tue door of
a wood-colored house and asked the old
woman, who sat knitting by the kitchen
| fire, il she could tell me where could find
jeremiah Gales house.
"'Why, lor' yes, of course / WILL said
she; it's good mile further on, but the
road is as straight as an arrer. The house
is gambrel roof, with two popple trees
| standing right alore it-yOu can't miss it
but don't be in such a hurry. Stop and
rest yourself spell, can't ye? l thanked
her but hurried along, pleased enough that
1 was so near my journeys end. Afler
had ridden half mile l saw little old
man laying stones on wall near the road.
l saw him stop aud look at me as though
he meant to speak, but l was tired and
thought wouldn't give him chance, and
was passing BIN upon trot, when he just
reached out his hand and took Brutus by
the bride.
"'You seem TO be in great hurry said
he. where mought you be fromT
81 told him Dunderbrook, Massachu-
sets.
"'Why, how you talk 4" said he. Did
you ever run against cousin of mine, Da-
vid Smith, who lives in the Bay State
somewhere? I've lost all track Of him
lately
"'Never heard of him.
"Ahl what mought be your name, If l
mought be so boldf
"'EZekiel Gale
"'Any relation TO Square Gales folks9'
"'He is my uncle
"'Sho, you don't say. Here, don't he in
such an everlasting hurry. How would
you like to swop off that ere pony of yourn
for a pair of steers? lie seems 10 be
| lively beast
81 replied that didn't care 10 trade that
day, and pushed On, although he tried TO
stop me again by asking how long 1 ex-
| pected TO stop in those parts.
"In about ten minutes more had climbed
the hill and stopped at Uncle Jerry's. 1
think should have known the place with
out any direction, it looked So comfortable
and homelike. fastened my horse by the
| gate and then went into the house by the
kitchen door. l expected 10 take aunt
Nancy by surprise, but she wasn't there
No one but a girl stringing apples. A great
tub of quarters stood by her side, and the
table was filled up with those she had al
ready strung. I felt kind of awkward
like, and began 10 whirl my hat around
my hands, for 1 was so taken aback that
didn't know just what to say.
"'Do you wish to see Mr.. Galer said
she looking up.
"'I am his nephew, Ezekiel Gale
stammered out, 'and came up from Mas
sachusetts 10 make him a visit
"Oh, did you p said she Jumping up
and putting down her pan of apples. why,
you must be very tired. Sit down here by
the fire-it's quite frosty to-night and let
me lake your hat. Mr.. and Mrs. Gale have
gone to Greenough, but they will be back
this evening. l am Content Sabln.'
81 said l would so out and put up my
horse. l was glad Of a chance TO go out in
the open air and get my breath, for she was
just the neatest girl had ever set eyes on
and although was accounted quite a beau
at home, she fluslered me so that 1 hadn't
a word TO say for myself. When l went
back into the house she had drawn out a
little square table, which was spread with
biscuits, cold-GOiled ham, apple sauce and
pumpkin pie. She sat down opposite to
pour my tea, and l could hardly eat my
supper, good as 1t was, for watching her.
She did just look like picture, that's a
fact. She had on alinsey- -woolsey pettieeat
and blue short gown her brown hair was