Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-07-23
BRINGING HER TO TERMS.
BY TOBIAS b. THANKFUL.


1t wasn't Mary Cumfrey's back-hair, it
wasn't her old, faded and torn wrapper, it
wasn't her ragged slippers, nor yet her very
sad face, or her citurnity-nether item taken
singy that so affected Phidas, for either one
would lave been overlooked, but it was
these imperfections as whole, that caused
Phid to say to himself, and later on, to one
other person, that had he known how things
would have turned out he would have re-
manned single; but in the days of Mary's
school-life-not so very long ago-things
were very different, and when say things"
understand me to say Mary's appearance.
Mary Sidwell was not only one of the best
girls in school, but one of the most tidy, and
also one of the most joyous. She and Betsey
Bolivar were friends-sworn friends if you
will-for those light-hearted girls, to whom
the sorrows of the world were wholly un.
known, had promised each other hundred
times, if they had once, that let come what
might, they would be fast friends forever and
forever; little did they know what was to
come, but they soon foond out.
First came Ben Curtis, n pompous, snowy
little fellow. who later distinguished himself
by running through with every dollar which
came to him from his father, and the sale OF
my old farm, where first cultivated straw
berries. Betsey ran away from school, and
married Ben; but better had she at first
opened the little dressmaker's shop, than
been compelled to, after Ben's exploits, for
he committed some terrible crime, for which
Crackers tried to find him. and Squire Mutt
was ready and happy TO punish him Rs he
deserved but Ben slipped away and has
never been heard of since.
The sworn friends were separated for a
time, for married ladies do not generally
continue their intimacies with their school
friends; but the lapse was not long, for
Phidias Cumirey soon married Mary. and 80
the ladies, being on the same degree, could
confide in each other as formerly have
heard some maligners of the sex declare that
women never cherish as sincere friendship
for each other as do men. Now, if you read
my characteristics of the Sex" through,
you'll see II stated that such declarations are
made without truth and without my author
ity, for have studied women, and have go
them by heart.
All have got against Phid Cumirey is
that he entertains the notion one need no
be polite and attentive to town folks" L
there is anything powerfully despiEe, 1t il
TO sec man all smiles, all grace, all sweet
ness and amiablity to my wife, and treat hi
wife like Phid's ''own folks" Don't imagin,
l am going to abuse him, for it's only tn
other night that he told me funny story
and monsters don't care for fun; Phid wa
full of it, but his notions of the married stat
were heterodox, and l will say so.
When Mary observed-which she soon did
for young wives are pretty cute at observa
tion,-that she was "own folksn and tina
Phid's ways were suddenly changed to thos
of an old married man,--"some old Marie,
men, uncle Thankful"-l stand corrected =
when she saw the change TO that of "som
married men," from the little gallantries an
pleasant attentions with which Phid ha
wooed her, she almost felt that she had bee
married under false pretences; but had Ah