Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-12-24
81 like merchants" "


I'd make my living by skipping around
a store with yard-stick in my hand,
I'd-dance the tight rope" Ben seemed
to think he was uttering heroic senti-
ment, and put on his most virtuous look.
"But l bet know what you like mer-
chants for
Lute's only response was to purse up
her lips and elevate her chin.
"It's because Dick Spurr's in a store.
What you can see to like in that little
whipper-snapper is mystery to me.
His beard isn't one-tenth as long as
Cousin Reuben's." Ben valued men
according to the abundance of their
boards.
'.Yonder comes Reuben now," re-
marked grandpa, looking up from his
paper.
"And your everlasting Dick Spur
with him. If l was that fellow, Ed
take up my board here at once. 1t
would be more decent than spending
half his time here free gratis for moth
ing"
The gentlemen came up to the steps
as the candid Benjamin finished his re-
mark. Cousin Reuben was tall and re-
served-looking. Mr.. Spur was small
and talkatiye. Both were moderately
good looking.
"Good-evening, Miss Lutte; good
evening, Mr.. Farra :" cried Mr.. Spur.
in his sprightliest manner; "How are
you, Ben? How is your cold. Miss
Lutte ?"
"Oh, my cold don't amount to any,
thing" said Miss Lutte, smiling in his
face, and making room for him on the
seat beside her. "You all make
mountain out of mole-hill. You are
determined to have me an invalid"
'It's because we love you SO much"
said Mr.. Spur. in tender under-tene,
and pulling his mustache with a senti-
mental air. Mr.. Spur was much given
to tugging at his mustache, which was
weak and whitish-looking. Ben said
he pulled it to make it grow fast; but
so far his efforts had not been crowned
with success.
Lute's only reply was another dan
gerous smile.
Cousin Reuben, who had seated him
self off at some distance, now looked up
and said, gravely:
"You have very bad cold. You
are quite hoarse this evening. lou
must let me mix you some medicine
before you go to bed.'
Thanks, no" returned Lutte, coolly.
II prefer bad cold-to something
worse.
lyon needn't fear my giving yol dis
agreeable medicine" he said, smiling.
81 wasn't alluding to any bad taste
in your medicine was thinking of the
effects of it; it might make me worse of
than l am now," she said. looking
studiously away from him, and whistline
little under her breath.
He looked at her in surprise as he
caught the sting of her remark, and hi:
dark face Redeemed, but he answered
quietly:
"You will do as you please; / pres
, my services on no one.
Grandpa had fallen into one of hi
reveries, and had heard nothing tha
passed. Mr.. Spur was too we'll bred Z
| show any surprise at this little passag
of arms but Ben wasn't. He stared a
r his sister for while in a markell
( astonished and indignant manner, AM
then said, in good, strong English
D "Lute, you're brute, and deserve
good whipping" With that, youn
r Master Farra went his way in disgust.
"Ahem it's very delightful even
t ing" observed Mr.. Spur, anxious
change the subject, and saying the frs
: thing that popped into his head. ID
f you like the spring. Miss Lutte ?"
e Il do" responded Miss Lutte, takin
n her eyes from the tree at which she ha
been looking and dropping them on hin
J, ''likewise summer, autumn and winter
g like'em all.''
G 'Most ladies like spring." said NJ
p Spur, gallantly. "'Tis the season
flowers and budding leaves and-an
- -" .af
t "Fresh onions and green pears" sal
u Lutte, laughing ats a good time Fl
fishing, too. Do you ever go fshin
e Mr.. Spur? Im devoted to it,
Z. "N-no; I'm not especially attacht
, to it. 1 believe Reuben, there.
e. Aren't you, doctor p
+ "Yes, like to fish when I have Il
IT time for it, which l never do, replit
e. the doctor, coming out of brown stud
n "Not that have such an immeH
a. practice" he continued, hastily, seein
,e a slight curl on Lute's lips; ''but VIII
leisure | have think l ought to devo
,e to study
l. 81 wonder you are not studying now
Of said Mr.. Spur. 81 never saw such
:" old book-worm as he is. Miss Lut
y He looks as if he grudges stopping stu