Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-04-09
COntrary.Minded.

al wonder he didn't take the parson,"
mused the deacon's housekeeper as the dea-
con drove off alone to the annual conference.
He's uncommonly master thoughtful about
lookin' out for folks. What husband he
was |"
Yes, Asa Phoenix had been a good hus-
band. All the neighbors agreed with Mrs.
Dubbs in that particular. He had waited
upon his fussy invalid wife, dying by inches,
for thirty years, making her as happy as she
would let him; and when her summons
came he had closed her dead eyes tenderly,
saying, even with tears "Poor sufferer, she
is better off"
That he was better off he never limited by
word or look. He wore his widower's weeds
with sad decorum; he reared in memory of
the departed Lucinda monument which
the most fastidious deceased might have en-
Wed he grieved faithfully for the full al
lotted year of mourning. II now, from the
ashes Of the funeral pyre, like his feathered
namesake of fable, he was springing up
with renewed youth and freshness, was it
not well
In truth, though he had not seen fit to
confide this fact to Mrs. Dubbs, Deacon
Phoenix had sighted the minister deliber-
ately and with malice aforethought. Nor
was it of the conference he was thinking
that fragrant June morning, as he whirled
away, tucking his lap-robe well about his
glossy new broadcloth. For once in his
hitherto blameless life he was essaying to
hide secular underneath the spiritual. He
did not mean TO go straight to meeting it
was his willy intention to make wide cir
cult, and call on Miss Olive Wayne, in the
town of Chester. He had question to ask
her, and he did not want the parson with
him; he hoped he might want him later.
Pretty, cheerful Olivel How fond he had
been Of her, years ago, when she attended
his school If he bad not been in love with
Lucinda, he was sure he would have fallen
in love with her, mere child though she was
He had never lost sight of her, and he
thanked Providence that he had been en-
abled by money and influence to help her
family over some hard places. Please God,
the dear girl should henceforth have an
easier life. Girl Why little Olive must
be fifty The good deacon laughed at the
amusing recollection. Well, she would al
ways seem young to him. And as for him
self, at sixty odd he was a hale man yet he
could jump five-rail fence as well as ever
he could-give him time.
In these cogitations the morning passed,
and noon found Deacon Phoenix at the little
hotel in Chester. Impatient of delay, after
| hasty dinner he set out almost Immediately
for the Wayne homestead. Arrived at the
gate, he spied Miss Olive at the window, and
alighted with youthful agility not altogether
| prudent in a man who had twinges of sciat-
| lea. And yet-strange inconsistency of hu-
man nature-he dallied at the hitching post,
and afterward, with his hand on the very
knocker, he paused to scan the distant hori-
zon, as though he had come mainly for a
view OF the mountains. Miss Olive opened
the door, her cheeks flushing like late Octo-
Der peaches. She would not have been a
woman had she not OWNED the deacons
tender mission, proclaimed by every detail
of his immaculate toilet, by the grasp of his
hand, by his nervous, expectant air. And,
moreover, Miss Olive was an attractive wo-
man, not unversed in lovers ways.
Happy to see you, Mr. Phenix. Walk
in," furredly, ushering him into the sitting
room, where her aged father dozed in his
armchair.
"Who is it, Olive ?" said the old gentle
man, waking with bewildered stare.
"Mr. Phoenix, father. You remember Mr..
Phoenix, I'm sure"
al don't know as l do" said he, queru.
lousy fumbling with the guests outstretched
hand. What's he come for, Olive 7"
The deacon looked as if he were suddenly
feeling the hot weather Miss Olive was pos
itivey feverish but she deftly evaded the
troublesome question by diyerting her
fathers attention. His peppermint tea was
ready-would he not drink it =? As she hov.
cred around the invalid, Strengthening his
pillows, steadying the cup while he drank,
Mr.. Phoenix regarded her admiringly. How
young she seemed still Not a gray thread
in her golden hair; scarcely wrinkle in
her face. That was because of her excellent
disposition. He waited till she had soothed
the old man into slumber, then, in direct
manly way introduced the subject that lay
next his heart.
Miss Olive interrupted him by an eloquent
glance toward her father.
He is very childish and dependent. He
cannot do without me-"
"Let me help you care for him, Olive
my house is large, my means are ample.
al couldn't, Mr.. Phenix-it is like your
generosity to propose such thing; but
couldn't have him burden upon you"
"Why, bless your soul, Olive; do you
suppose | should consider friend of yours
a burden 2"
"You don't know how trying poor father
would be to anybody but his own daughter
and think he is likely to live to great
age, as grandfather did"
For that very reason, then -
Besides, it would make him wretched
TO take him from the old homestead"
But Olive
$50 you see I'm engaged, Mr.. Phoenix,
said Miss Olive, playfully, while she whisket
away tear. "Pm engaged. You mus
marry some lady who isn't. And | hop,
, you'll be as happy as you deserve to be, sh'
added, with little tremor, springing up K
adjust the curtain.
In vain he tried to bend her to his wishes
she remained outwardly as firm as tn,
hearthstone at her feet, till at length h,
, arrived at the unwelcome conviction tina
she had no liking for him or she would hav,
listened to his pleadings. She had inter
posed the old gentleman mainly as a sort O
cushion TO soften the blow of her rejection.
II he took a smiling leave 1t was becaus,
pride tugged at his facial muscles, for t,
tell the truth, he had never been more dis
: appointed and chagrined in his life. O
what avail the stylish equipage upon which
he had once plumed himself. Was 1t moi
bearing him on TO the tomb And why
, should he wish to prolong this earthly pill