Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-03-31

comb which her daughter had carelessly
tossed into an easy chair, and placing 1t in
one of the pockets of her work basket.
"Molher is always comparing me to
yeast, Mr.. Jacobs" continued the unabash-
ed girl. 81 efTervesce unconsciously, and
I doubt not should run over If not con-
stantly stirred down. Mothers method of
performing that operation is hereby pre-
sented to YOU" "Sh-sb," Kissed Mrs. Gla-
zier with the usual effect, for the irrepreSs-
iblo young lady ran on: "I didn't know
you had brother, Mrs. Haven. Where do
you live, Mr.. Jacobs?"
"Ob, be hasn't been living anywhere, my
dear; be has just been staying and exist
| Ing for the last few years. He has just be-
gun to live now within tho present hour.
Come in, all of you, and see what have TO
offer you in the way OF bodily food. ex-
| pect two of you, at least, TO be provided
for, mentally, without any of my assist
| ance."
Fear caught the fash Of glance OF in
telligence that passed between her host and
hostess, and her father and mother, won
dering were they all demented and think
ing she had never seen any of them so stu
pid before. She took her place at the table
and began to dish out the blackberries, as
her hostess had requested her TO do, in un-
wonied silence.
~ remembered your fondne for black
berries, John" remarked Mrs. Haven as
she passed the lea, $50 begged my neighbor
here to send across the street 10 her own
s,ore-room for these, wishing your first i'm
! ,olt 10 ha fav
able"
"And beg" put in Fear, helping her
father TO the plump, cool berries, "that as
the delicate flavor OF the fruit ticklos your
palate you will remember that they were
picked by these fair fingers" lifting up her
hands in mock sentimental manner.
"Sh-sh," came from between Mrs. Glaz-
ier's teeth.
The young gentleman bowed. smiled and
look ed at the young lady in an expectant
way, evidently amused and wondering
when she would bubble over next. He
had not long 10 wait.
ar am disappointed expected 10 be
complimented, at least that you would
consider it such an effort for an ETHEREAL
young creature like myself TO make such
an exertion as to pick berries, and high
blackberries at that, that you would refuse
to accept tho sacrifice Of my vital forces,
wounded members and torn garments, and
would not taste of one.'
But the obdurate young man went on
eating his Ferries and sugar, contemplating
with an evident exquisite satisfaction the
lovely picture of youth and health oppo-
site, and as she finished helping herself,
complacently passed over the small cut
glass plate to be refilled. Fear took the
dish with apparent CONSERVATION.
81 see you have passed the age of senti-
menl. Well, for that matter, SO have l, aud
on that score, at least, we can sympathiZe."
"How old do you each consider the other
TO be ?" exclaimed Mr.. Haven, seizing The
point as if it were something lie had been
patiently waiting for, and almost relin-
quished as a forlorn hope. "Don't speak
write on a card each of you, your honest
convictions; il would be interesting 10
know how near you would guess. You
know II is scientific fact that young peo-
pie of opposite sexes are incapable of judg-
ing each others age"
Fear took a card and pencil handed her
by Mr.. Haven and wrote unhesitatingly:
''Ishould judge by your teeth and WRINKLES,
That you must be thir.y-six;
But II you are only thirty,
Old Time has been playing you tricks"
While Mr.. Jacobs, taking one of his own
cards from an elegant case, pencilled:
"By your looks, sweet sixteen; by your
, department, twenty-five; being Yankees
/ \
They exchanged the cards, and as each
glanced at the others hand writing the look
of utter astonishment that passed between
them was too much for even Mr.. Haven's
lawyer-like immobility of feature, and his
heavy, loud laugh was joined most hearth
: ly by Mr.. Glazier and the two wives.
"You knew it all the time" exclaimed
Fear in passion. 81 believe you all knew
it,"
"Of course we did, my dear" said Mr.
Haven coolly. "I hope you do not think
would have advised your indulging in &
wild goose chase afier pension, even fol
fun, had 1 not known who would have
opened your letter as an assistant of my
friend, Mr.. -, the Hon. Commissioner o
Pensions. And when 1t came 10 that
knew nothing very bad could come from {
correspondence between you and my broth
er-in-law here. And, of course, your re-
spected father and mother were duly en-
lightened at the outset"
al surrender Internationally" Mr.. ia
cobs broke in, coming round the table tc
Fears side. "I had been casting about il
my mind all the way from Washington
how could arrange to see my wife withou
: my brother and sister here knowing of oul
: correspondence, for thought they woulC
have no end of amusement at my expense
Well, things never turn out as we expec
| and we never supposed they would"
: "And it is the impossible that always
happens" added Fear, Using and receiving
l his proffered kiss, with many bushes to b'
sure, but, as she said afterwards, a grea
many times, she was too spunky to show
i, the white feather. "Who would have
thought of my long lost husband coming
like this"
: az trust you will find him in every way
! as satisfactory as a pension" said Mrs
D Haven, leaning over and kissing Fear il
her turn. ~ was tired waiting for him t'
: marry, and as the opportunity offered itsel
Z so nicely, thought 1t best TO lend him
i helping hand"
; Sand saw the denOuement must com'
: soon," said Mr.. Haven, land 1 judged /
best to precipitaie it somewhat If it wa
= done rather bunglingly, for / wouldn't hav'
failed of being present for the governorshiI
of our good State"
1--WE must consider ourselves the limo