Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-01-22
An Independent Spirit.


81 don't approve Of it ut ALL" said Major
Meddlefield
lie was walking up and down the piazza
floor, enjoying the early May sunshine rs it
streamed in through new leaves, and watch
ing the gardener ut work in the fower-bor-
der.
"And why not?" said his sister, an apple
faced widow, who was planting miSnonette
seed and counting the number of buds on
her Due Van Thol tulip roots.
ut isn't feminine"
"Do you think it would be any more FEM
mime for the poor thing to starve outright"
demanded Mrs. Farley. (Parley was the
name of the Horticultural widow, be it un.
derstood.)
"Letitia," said the Major, "you are wo-
man. Women can't argue. 1t isn't to be
expected of EN-. But when fact is placed
before them as plain as the nose on their
face (Mrs. Farley instinctvely felt for her
nasal protuberance,) they can see it,
"Well.n
Evidently Mrs Farley did not quite under
stand whittier all this tide of eloquence was
tending.
"Here is Marian Fordham, relative of
our own
cousin twice removed interposed Mrs.
Farley with paper of flower seeds in her
mouth.
"a cousin twice removed who is left with
out a copper by her fathers sudden death.
Now, it isn't my fault that Paul Fordham
lost his property. He didn't ask my advice
about those Montana mining shares; if he
had should have advised HIM to let the m
alone. And don't feel called upon to inter-
fere in the matter one way or the other"
''Well, then, what are you criticising her
for?"
Il am not criticising her." said the major
81 simply say that regard it as highly I'M
dignified and unwomanly for Paul Ford
hams daughter to open two-pence hapen-
ny thread and needle store on Third ave-
nue."
"But don't see what else she could do
said Mrs. Farley. "She wrote to you asking
if yon could help her to position as teacher;
you wrote back that you had no influence
with the school trustees. She wrote again
to inquire if you knew of any market for
watercolored pictures, such rs she could
paint You wrote back that you did not"
"Well, and she asked me no more ques-
tions."
81 wouldn't if had been she," said Mrs.
Farley, struggling her shoulders. "A woman
does not like to be snnbbcd any more than a
man.
Major Meddlefeld muttered something
about the female mind being totally unfit for
logic, but he said no more, and Mrs. Farley
went on with her work in corresponding si-
lence.
Come, uncle" said Harry Meddefeld,
'let's go in hero. l want to order half n
dozen shirts
81 don't approve of these small places, -
said the major, hositating in front of a neat
little show-window, where hosiery and
handkerchief pins and powders, vests and
wells, ribbons and rose-water were arranged
in tho most attractive style.
81 do" said Harry, ''they don't charge
half as much as they do at Broadway pail
ace, and there's an uncommonly pgetty girl
behind the counter, here
"IIow do you know, you rogue?" said
the MAJOR, poking his nephew waggishly
under the ribs.
1--WE been here, before" said Harry wise
Iy.
The little bell Of the shop-door gave n
warning tinkle rs the two gentlemen enter
ed, and a tall, iair-fced girl rose from her
seat behind the counter.
Harry was right. She DaS very pretty, this
dimpled, dark, eyed shop-gTl with her braids
of chestnut hair, herdress ofblack and white
Scotch gingham, and the simple jet crosses
that hung in her ears. Major Meddlefeld
had some idea ere he entered of cracking
facetious jokes, such rs an elderly gentleman
might safely indulge in towards n pretty
shop-glrl; but her pure oval face and serious
eyes somehow kept him at a distance. Even
Harry, sad dog that he was, addressed her
rs if she had been u duchess.
"Have you ready made shirts?n he asked
Yes, she had; and then followed lon,
discussion rs TO buttons UerSus spirals, broat
plaits and narrow ones, linen aud muslin
during which Major Meddofeld thought tho
pretty girl prettier than ever.
"I'll leave an order for half dozel
shirts, ma'am if you'll take my measure,
said he.
So the young lady took his measure, AM