Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1879-09-03
WOODSTOCK, VT,, WEDNESDAY, SEPT 3, 1870.


seased, and gone shiverlng the rest OF
her. days, to see her worn'out gown
donned 30 handsomely by tho bright
lassle.
"They have seen better days, the
clothes, Miss, aud III not deny that
they have been In good company In
their time hut they're not TT tor a
lady now
Her companion laughed pretty
mischleyous laugh. She read the
weakness of her reScuer, and treated II
iendeily,
"Whateyer u lady has worn is III
for a lady to wear" she said and forth
with wrapped herself smiling in the
old gray shawl.
And at that moment Tom. with his
red shirt cleaning In the setting sun
and q string Of fish on his shoulder,
stood In the doorway.
Hc stopped when he saw tho guest
standing upon the hcarth-stone, q
bright fire behind her, and the kettle
boiling chccrily. She nodded to him
iamiIiarly, Tom thought he must bc
dreaming,
"Tum and l are acquainted" said
she.
"Are youi' responded the aston
ished widow.
Eyes" said the girl. "l've watch.
ed Tom many a time walking along
the shore in his red shirt, and once be
took me and father out rowing, Tom
your mother saved my lile.'
"Saved your lite echoed Tom. who
never in all his life had heard of
his mother doing anything before.
Tom stupid and staring was hurried
off in search of the missing garments.
And meanwhile the mother betook
herself TO make a cup of tea for heI
protege. 1t was wonderful how
little warmth Of human feelings had
reused this woman to life and activity.
When Tom returned, laden with
various articles Of appeared, the two
were quietly slipping their tea together
at the old round table.
He did not return alone however.
Following HIN came tall gray headed
gentleman.
"Here's father" !" cried the girl
springing forward. "Oh, father this
good lady has saved my life !"
Lady! The widow Mipton wanted
to kiss the beautiful rosy lips that pro-
nounced that word.
"Well my DEAR said the gentle
man, good humoredly piuch'ng the
plump check, "she has done it very
thoroughly. You certainly don't
look very near death just now."
Whereat the story with due enlarge
men,s and variations, was told him
with pretty pout.
The father smiled but also he fur
lively wiped away a tear.
"Well madame" said he courteous
ly, ''accept my cordial thanks for look,
ing after my little madcap Belle. She's
my only child, you see, and as full of
pranks as any Dozen"
Belle playfully put her hand over
his mouth.
81 won't have my character traduc-
ed where they've been so good 10
me-" she said. "And oh, father isn't
this beautiful place such a view OF
the water l mean to come down
hear every day to do my sketching."
clam afraid, said tho sire shaking
his head, "that this good lady will
wish she had thrown you overheard" "
"Oh, no, father !; she likes me and
l like her. And I've fallen in love
with Tom long ago, you know"
Tom blushed painfully. Something
strange and new stirred in his mind.
Compliments did not sweeten his
thoughts as they did his mothers'
for Tom had never seen better days,
and felt as if he was being made a jest
of.
A week passed during which the
young girl strolled almost daily to the
cabin. When she was there Tom
seldom entered tie house. He had
grown shy and sulky he sat on the
shore darky brooding, or went off
silently to his fishing.
One morning Belle and her father
departed. Belle kissed the withered
cheek of ber friend, and that was all.
For when mention had been made of
helping her substantially, she had
drawn herself sharply up and the lady
shining in her eyes.
II may have seen my best days,
she said. "but I hayn't come down 10