Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-09-08

| 10 nelp ncT III Tue kllCneDs L snan 20 anu
look up a wife as 1 would a horse. A man
gets his eye on girl, and he longs for her,
and likes her-he can't tell why. She is
different 10 him from any other woman in
the world, and he can't be happy without
her. 1t isn't a thing for a fellow TO be
ashamed of, neither, If he's got one spark
of manlness in him; and that's the way
feel towards Salome."
"Granny I" exclaimed Mrs. Dlcres,
bringing her hand down on the arm of her
chair at the height of the young fellows ar
dor. "Do you think your father and mo is
going to give the money we've just work.
ed and dug out of the ground TO feed that
Fairman trlbe?"
81 don't ask for your money" returned
Jo, rather savagely. "I shall take what
grandfather left inc, and stock hired farm,
and then l shall ask Saome TO be my wife,"
He strobe out OF the house without eat
ing his dinner, and marched Off TO the
woods TO free his mind of excitement. AS
he was getting over the snake fence by the
roadside, he saw Elder Northrup stop un-
der the cherry trees in front Of the Fair
man farmhouse, and fasten his horse. The
elder was a little man, and his Sunday
suit appeared to tyrannize over him good
deal. His coat cuff descended over his
hands, a tult of stiff hair stood up above
his narrow forehead, and he spoke with a
slight shuttle.
Mrs. Farman was ironing by the table
when she saw him ride up, so she put her
aat-iron back on the stove, and went out on
the stoop 10 meet him. "rm so glad you've
happened along to-day" said she, with her
face drawn into its usual Fuckers of anxious
concern. "Perhaps you've heard that Obed
got hurt. He's laid up now, and thought
mebbe il you should talk with him there
might be an awakening. You don't know
how I've wrestled in prayer TO bring obed
to conviction. / often think of what the
Bible says about being unequally yoked
with an unbeliever-not that / would have
it thought that Obed ain't a good, moral
man, kind to his women folks, and as good
a provider as he can be, when times amt
hard but it's been trial"
81 know ii has, sister. These are all
filthy rags of self righteousness" said the
elder, taking out his bandanna and wlping
the dust from his thin legs. 1.-The human
heart is deceitful above all things and des-
pritly wicked
SalOme had been smoothing Obed's IRON
grey hair. He loved to feel the touch of her
delicate fingers. One big brown hand with
prominent joints, lay on the patched quilt,
and the mans face, 50 ragged and honely,
with still dreamy look in the eyes, was
1, 10
sion of peace. Mrs. Farman came ushering
in the elder.
''Glad to see you" said Obed, to the little
parson, and he put out his hand with gen.
uine warmth. i've had u little pull-back,
but the doctor says shall be around again
in a day or two."
"Ahemr' returned the elder, clearing his
throat: "The Lord sends seasons of a1fic-
tion upon us 10 bring us 10 a sense of sin."
81 don't know about that" returned
obed, with his eyes Frightening. ~ ain't
as familiar with the Lords intentions as
some folks profess TO be; and as for tho
trouble, guess we bring most of it on our
selves.'
"That ain't Bible doctrine" returned the
elder, shaking his head rather dismally.
at may do to live by, but it won't serve in
the hour of DEATH
II don't know Why" said Obed, whet-
ting his argumentative weapon. 81 guess
what will stand in this life will stand in any
other"
"Thc impenitent heart is in the gall of
bitterness aud the bond Of iniquity," Ie-
piled the elder, tidgetng on his chair.
"IIOw will the sinner feel in the day when
the goats are separated from the sheep?"
according to my cyphering," said Obed,
"God means 10 take care of the goats too.
They may not be worth as much as the
sheep; there's big difference in folks
but guess they'll 90 for what they are
worth. AT any rate, sh al take what comes,
without grumbling or complaining. There's
passage Of Scripture that says, Though
he slay me, yet will trust bim.' I've
thought OF that a good many times when
I've been working alone in the field; and
guess 1 can take what the Lord sends
but there are some things men would like
TO force on me l amt so ready TO receive"
The elder couldn't think of any answer
for this, so he cleared his throat and said,
81 should like, if you don't object, TO have
a season of prayer"
~ don't mind your praying" replied
obed, cheerfully, "if you want to; but
guess the Lord knows all you can tell him,
and little more. Folks take a sight Of
pa ins TO give him Information. There's
still small voice spoken of that I've thought
heard out in the lot sometimes, with the
birds singing and everything still, and my
heart has answered, and I've had kind Of
notion that that was prayer"
Mrs Eairman and Salome were whisper
ing together in the kitchen. eve must try
and scrape the BARREL" said the anxions
housewife, $50 as to get white -four enough
to make griddle-cakes for tea then we can
put on the canaille bread TO look like one
kind. You must tell Ezra to be sure and
refuse the cakes. He's dreadful fond OF
them. There's the dried apple sauce, and
little mite of plum preserves, just enough
TO help the elder twice SO guess we shall
manage 10 appear respectable"
The next day there came a change in the
weather. The cold northeast wind gave
way to a south breeze, and it grew warm
and close. Big black clouds rolled up the
sky, and anxious, longing eyes watched it,
and prayed for rain.
The shower was coming when Salome
went into her fathers room with letter in
her hand. "Why, child" said he, opening
1t, Bunker, the man that bought the old
Haynes place, wants to get three acres OF
the back end of my land. It's a strong
piece, but it goes cornerlng into his'n, and
there's some folks that can't bear to have a
notch in a farm, aud i guess he's one of
Them kind He ofTara a hiO nrioa and tho