Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-10-06

fort. The table was laid for supper, nice
crisp loaf being fanked by a piece OF
cheese (placed upon small plate in order
to make II look more than 1t really was
and, yes really gigantic cucumber. Pol
ly, who was kneelng before the fire, vigor-
ously applying the bellows aud melting
the Goals TO a perfect fury OF flame, had
not lighted a candle, and certainly none
was wanted. The bright blaze brought in
to full view the nettle geranium occupying
the table in front of the window; 1t lit up
the photograph OF the mild-looking wo-
man (Polly's mother) on the other sldo OF
the room; 1t showed the brass-knobbed
piece of furniture, TO outward view bu-
reau, but 10 tho Initiated frequenler of
Abel's apartments nothing moro nor less
than a turn-up bedstead, In which the fa-
ther himself slept; and 1t reflected its
brightness upon the sideboard, with its
ornaments of ware, a few books and the
old fashioned workbox, containing many
relics dear 10 Abel and his daughter, among
others tiny baby's shoe, once worn by
that boy (now dead) on whom Abel had
lavished such wealth Of paternal love.
"Why, you're rather late, father, amt
you ?" inquired the girl springing to her
feet, and giving old Abel such sounding
kiss that it might have been heard on the
pavement outside; If anybody had been
curious enough to listen. "Tve been home
long time"
"Well, Polly, I've been to the savings
bank, and afterward to Aldermanbury-
you know where. took five pound ten /;
and Mr.. Baker, Junior spoke so kindly that
the time slipped by, and twas o'clock
afore knew where 1 was, Almost"
"Heaven bless Mr.. Baker for those kind
words p responded Polly, giving her father
another hearty kiss as she unwound the
wooden comforter encircling his neck.
Then, after a pause she asked: does not
that make ninety pounds you have paid ?"
"Yes, ninety pounds. It's good deal,
ain't it2 All saved, too, by you and me,
Polly"
80 father, don't do much TO it. If you
weren't TO deprive yourself of comforts,
why, we shouldn't have paid Off twenty OF
it,"
Don't say that, Polly. If 1t was not for
your earnings, how could put my wages
into the savings bank, as do nearly every
month";"
"Well, daddy dear, you know it's only
you I've got to live for" said the girl
archly.
whats that you say :" replied old Abel,
highly pleased with his daughters remark
but determined not TO be hoodwinked.
"How about Tom Smith? Dye mean to
say you don't care for him?"
"Husbl Don't speak so loud"
Polly blushed, and looked half.fright-
ened toward that corner of the room where
the big bureau cast its shadow.
"Wby, there's nobody can hear"
"Yes, father, the children might; and
children sometimes make a lot of mis-
chief" observed that little wiseacre, Polly
Then, with desperate intention of chang
ing The subject, she said: you must have
a great coat, this winter, or you are sure &c
have the rheumatics, as you had 'em last
year. oh, saw beauty in the Horse
ferry road to-niRht-so thick, with nice
warm lining inside, and the price only
eighteen shillings. Secondhand, of course
but almost as good as new."
"Oh, think l can do without 1t, thi;
year. Let's save the eighteen shillings
and send it to Mr.. Baker, junior.
"No, sha'n't allow anything OF the sort
I'm just as anxious as you are to pay ouI
debts, but I'd rather work my fingers tC
the bones than that you should suffer an
other year as you did last"
oAA IL,
voice, which seemed to issue from Mr.
Webb's eping-place.
Polly gave a shrek, then burst into {
ringing laugh that seemed to fill the room
with joyous harmony, like the sound o
bells upon a frosty night; and Abel, turn
ing suddenly in his chair, saw the burly
form of Tom Smith emerge from the Dusk
corner.
"Hallo, Tomw shouted Abel. $50 you've
been listening. Well, luckily, you aim
heard no secrets. l suppose you are on,
of those children that makes mischief, a
Polly says"
This retaliation upon his daughter struck
Webb as such an extraordinary master
| piece OF witticism that he fairly roared will
laughter. By aud by, Tom Smith roared
too and when be had.had his laL gh out, find
ing that Abeps attention was still engross
ed by the wondrous joke, seized the oppor
tunlty 10 throw his arms around Polly
waist, at which the damse, who did not lik
being laughed at, told the devoted lover t
"a-done, and not be so sllly.'
swell, what brings you heref.' inquiries
Abel, whose laugh had now subsidized int
a giggle, aud winking at his young friend
"Wby, father, he saw me home, an
brought the cucumber for present"
"My stars, that's beautyi TN muc
obliged TO you, Tom, for there's nothing
like better. Some people says cucumber
amt good, that you ought to peel then
nicely, aud then fling 'em out of window
but taken with little rind on, bit Of In
gun, and lots of pepper, don't thin
there's much harm in 'em-leastways the
don't harm me-" And apparently cucum
bers were thoroughly innocuous TO MI
Webb, who speedily drew his chair up
the table, and began to ply his knife an
fork with will.
Mr.. Tom Smith considerably waited uI
Ill his old friend had completed his repas
and then explained the object of his visit.
"YOu know, Mr.. Webb, Polly and hav
been courting long time, nigh upon eigt
teen months, and we're beginning to thin
that is, I'm beginning to think" this a
teration in response to protest from Po
ly)-''i's time we got married. 1 don
like to see her wearing her young life oil
H. hot ~
know, is at present $50 year and live o
I l. I 30. 40