Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-12-13

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. pale Miss Merton was shocked at tn
perversity of mems tastes, and every
body was quite astonished at the tarl
affairs had taken. Everybody, a
least, but Rob Sherwood and hi
mother.
The ball was a success. Phil Farm
ham looked really very we'll in hi
costume, which he copied as accurate
ly after Southerns as he could ant
with his 'blonde-brown whiskers' quit,
the cut, with paint and pencil, h'
made very presentable 'Dundreary.
The usual stereotyped number o
fower-girls, queens, knights and peas
ants crowded the floor but the pret
tiest dancer in the room was one little
Indian, 'Minnehaha,' she called her
self. The costume was pretty ant
unique. peoked off with a profusior
OF bright beads and feathers, gaily
ornamcnted moccasin slippers, and the
long, heavy plaits of black hair hang
ing far below the owners waist, al
together it was charming, if not an
entirely accurate study of an Indian
girl,
81 think I recognize these, sweet
Minnehaha," whispered Dunlreary,
taking up one Of the long brads as he
spoke, and drawing the little brown
hand through his arm for promenade.
"Do not be too sure" returned the
maiden in low tone 'As you pale
faces are won't to call all dark maid,
ems, 'squaws,' should think it might
be a difficult matter to pick out one
individual in this assembly"
'1f this one little Indian were less
agreeable and charming in her man,
ner toward me, | might individualize
still closer, perhaps, and whisper her
true name, only the lady whose eyes
shine behind that mask hates red
whiskers, and would never trouble
herself to talk to a stupid Dundreary y
"Did Robert Sherwood tell you
that ?" The mask was torn off now,
and stepping out Of the crowded room
on to the wide piazza, Rhoda Brent's
flashing eyes looked up into Philip
Farnhams face, demanding an au-
swer:
"Confdence for confidence. Did
Robert Sherwood tell you that l call
ed all dark women 'squaws 2"
Then they both laughed in each
others eyes, and the moon shone
down brightly upon them, the sea
softly murmured to them, and the
summer night stars twinkled merlily
over their heads.
The "atfair" was all settled AMIGA
bly, between them there when, an
hour later, Rob Sherwood stepped ont
on the piazza in quept of bis cousin
and his friend, and beheld, in the
shadowy moonlight, Minnehaha's
dark tresses half hid behind Lord
Dundreary's red whiskers, he came up
to them with quizzical smile on his
lips and whlstled bar of the 1.-TWO
Little Indians.
"Robert Sherwood, your cousin
Rhoda Brent has promised to be my
wife. In spite of the pains you seem
to have taken to prevent our liking
one another you see we do, and I
hope we have your good wishes
"Ah !" cried Robert starting back
in mock surprise, and recklessly quo
ting in melo. dramatic tone:
Phil-Bring not to thy lodge q strang squaw
Ffom the land of the DakOtas.
iheIe are feuds
Here he looked sternly at Rhoda.
Phil laughed, and taking Rhoda's
hand in his, replied as dramatically:
For that reason if no other,
Would wed the rair Dacota.
That old feuds may be forgotten
And old wounds be healed forever;
Give me as my wife, this maiden,
Minnehaha, Laughing
Let your heart speak Minnehaha.
Rob continue to quote. Then
Rhoda, "nothing 10th nor reluctant"
putting her two hands into Pills an
swered with u blush, and a smile
81 will follow you my husband"
All the people at the beach-save
Merton-thought it a very good
match and some declared they had
predicted it from the first day. Mrs,
and her son congratulated
hamselves unon tbe sucoass ot tba;r