Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-06-16
a VACATION VISIY.

w ME l was VIVID Troy N hODlllSOn
my first clerkshlp, by the way, used
to couut a great deal on my vacation
it was four weeks in September
and lay great many plans about
spending it pleasantly. Of course an
Invitation to some nice place was very
acceptable, for a JUNIOR clerks income
is not often large and this year. lS-,
no matter for the last figures, | was
very much in hopes of two-one from
my maternal grandmother in Virgin
ia, another from my old friend Char
lie Pell, who had some months before
promised to ask me to his mothers
residence near Boston. Now my
grandmother was q rich woman who
had been a beauty, and was very
much Of the opinion that she would
always remain one. She had plenty
Of company, and her house was u very
pleasant one indeed, and | knew that
Mrs. Pell, though an excellent wo-
man, was very formal, and seldom
opened the cold, best parlor, where
the piano was kept in solitary con-
finement, except for prayer-meet-
ING.
If my grandmother invited me, |
should excuse myself to Charlie and
go to her, and enjoy myself general
ly +; but if she cheated me, as she
sometimes did, why, then I'd accept
the Pell's invitation. Charlie was a
pleasant fellow, and | was very lit
tie in love with his sister, who would
surely be home from boarding-school.
These were my plans, but as time
passed on and brought no letter from
either the parties whom had suppos
ed to be my eXpectant hosts, my spir-
its sank, and | looked forward dreari
ly to the hottest room in a cheap
country clearinghouse, or the alter
native OF staying at home at Mrs. Fer
guson's and hearing how all the alb
sent boarders were enjoyingthemselves
at the sea side.
Just as had quite begun to de-
spair, however-indeed it was the
twenty-eighth day Of July-the ear
liest post brought me two letters, one
a pale blue envelope, on which rec.
ognized my grandmother's fine run
ming hand the other white, bust
ness looking affair, bearing Charlie
Pell's wild scrawl.
Two invitations at once. | chuck
led with delight, and having hurried
up to my own hall bedroom quite for
getful Of my breakfast, | tore open the
blue envelope, out Of which tumbled
something crisp and green, which, on
examination, proved to be bank
note for one hundred dollars, and
which astonished me very much, for
my grandmother had never made me
any present of more value than a flat
pin-cushion and a!pen, wiper at Christ
mas time,-and read these mysterious
words:
DEAR RICHMoND.-I know you
expect an invitation, and | meant to
ask you, but circumstances have oc.
CURED that prevent ME from having
the pleasure. | am more your friend
thanever, but | fear | can never ask,
you to visit me again. If | do not
you must only lose my poor company,
for / shall send you what you find
enclosed every month, and will always
be,
Yours devotedly,
c. RICHMOND.
P. S. l will explain in my next"
singular !" | said Aud quite un.
able to suggest reason for my grand.
mothers singular conduct, | pocketed
her present and opened the other note.
1t was equally mysterious
'DEAR Rich. You promised to
come to me for the vacation, and you
must, but not to mothers house. |
am at -, at the hotel there, and
have arranged matters so that we may
have guest. Come at once. You
will be very much surprised by some
thing which shall tell you when we
meet.
Yours ever,
CHARLES PELL."
"No use irving to solve this prob.