Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-10-08


But the time came when, in spite of these
sound arguments, he was constrained by his
long fast to leave his seat, being tantalized by
a more than usually tempting array of viands
displayed upon the counters of a certain res
taurant visible from the car-window. There
was wait of ten minutes at this station, and
Iack resolved to have something to eat En-
throned upon high stool near at hand, he
hastened to assuage the aching void within
him, and he had just begun to think that he
had done this very efTectually, when sundry
movements of the passengers warned him to
be off.
How much do I owe you, sir p he asked
of the man behind the counter
The big Dutchman measured him coolly
with his eye
"Feefty cents, if you pleaz," he answered
Fifty cents - exclaimed Zack, in burst
of indignation. "That is too much, by half"
''Iat is what il comes to-" said the man,
holding out his hand.
There was no time to argue the matter--the
train was beginning to move. So Zack threw
down the two quarters and ran to his car
He reached Portland just about noon, and
the absurdity of his position in not being able
to attend the fair, after travelling so many
miles to accomplish that end now forced it.
self upon his mind, making him reluctant in
deed to open the little wicket gate leading to
the house to which he had been directed by
his good friend the Quaker. He hesitated
still longer at the front door, with its oaken
panels and general air of neatness-a door
way much too fine, he thought, for daily use
and as he turned the angle of the building in
search of a side entrance, he found himself
suddenly before it,
The color flushed up into Zack's face like a
girls, for the door being open, he had come
upon a domestic scene that woke up, in a
BREATH all the old longings for home and
pleasant things which the youth supposed
were sumberng soundly beneath the realities
Of his present life. How like the result of a
nightmare seemed the dingy shop, as he con-
trasted it with the sweet, trim kitchen before
him 1t was quite worth the trouble of the
journey, Zack thought, just to look into the
quiet, motherly face of the woman in Quaker
garb, who was putting the dinner upon the
table. She was assisted by young girl, to
whom her father was speaking.
"Put on the pumpkin pie, Dorothea" he
cried. 'Those thee sent to the fair were
well spoken of. have no doubt thee will
get the prize. All thee had good teacher.
Few in all the county can cook like thy moth
er, child. But whom have we here-a strang
err Walk in, walk in, my lad !"
Zack, thus addressed, advanced bashfully
into the room, and, having presented the
Quaker's letter which he brought with him,
was soon installed at the table we'll laid with
dishes, the contents of which abundantly tes-
titled to the correctness of the Quakers re-
mark concerning the excellent cookery of his
wife.
But poor Zack could only deplore his bad
luck in not being able to feel a corresponding
hunger Indeed, he had so thoroughly salts
fed his hunger, half hour before, in the re-
freshment saloon, that it was only with diff
Guilty he could finish the large plate of meat
and vegetables before him. This seemed to
annoy his host, who, to his assertion that he
had but recently lunched, replied;
That is but poor excuse for a growing
lad fear thee cannot put up with our sim
pie fare 1t speaks i'll for the pie Dorothea.
Our little maid will have sore doubts should
there be so much as a crumb of it left on thy
plate. See, she has q look of concern already"
Zack glanced furtively across the table at
the sweet little face opposite, and he inward
ly determined to eat the pie, if such thing
were possible; but, fortunately, he was not
compelled to undertake this difficult feat
Chance came to his relief in the guse of a
pair of prize oxen for the fair, the sight of
which, as they walked proudly down the
street, caused great futter in the family and
a general stampede to the piazza. Left to
himself for few moments, Zack slipped the
pie from his plate into his big silk handker
chief-a Christmas present from one of Bax-
ter's customers aud, after folding it carefully
therein, buried it in the depths of his coat
pocket There it lay, weight on his con-
science, and an added damper to his spirits.
He was rewarded for this act of deception
by an approving nod, on the Quaker's return.
"Well, well, since thee has eaten the pie,
we will let thee off from further duty-espe-
cially as it is time We were already at the fair.
No., haN I,I a. l. a.
grounds as soon as we can"
Zack opened and shut his mouth in the
vain endeavor to explain that he had no mon
ey to indulge in such pleasures but his fee
BILE excuses were lost in the gay mirth of the
little party, who were bustling with the ex-
citement of the start.
Thus Zack found himself on the way to the
fair, with the embarrassing confession yet
unmade. As he walked by the side of the
little Quaker down the public street, there
was an occasional twinkle in her clear blue
eyes, which assured him that, in spite of her
sober garb and sweet and modest way, she
had quick sense of humor and would not
be slow to see the absurdity of the position
which he was at that very moment striving
to put into words. In truth, he had been SO
engrossed in these speculations as to be quite
unmindful of the clouds which were hurrying
across the sky, and rolling up in great black
masses over his head, until he felt a rain drop
on his hand, and, looking up, perceived Dor
othea striving to stretch over her Quaker
bonnet the small square of muslin that did
duty for pocket handkerchief.
Zack, though a bashful youth. was not de-
void of politeness he whipped his own am
pie bandana out of his pocket in twinklng,
and was in the act of presenting it to Doro-
thea, when the unlucky piece of pie dropped
out and fell pat upon the pavement
Dorothea started back, with an exclamation
that brought her parents to the spot directly.
''Ha ha!" laughed the worthy Quaker,
for his glance followed the frantic gaze of
poor Zack, and the truth flashed upon him.
80 it is to these straits our guests are
driven. Well we'll, what next, Dorothea 2"
Zack did not listen to the remark that was
faltering on her tongue; he only knew that
the droll twinkle had re.appesred between
the stiff sides of the gray Quaker bonnet. 1t
gave him courage, and he laughed, too.
There was real humor in his tones, and
touch of something sadder, as walking slow
ly forward with the rest, he narrated the cir
cumstances of the day which had led to the
act that must seem to them like an unwGr-
ranted insult to their hospitality. The tale
was barely ended, when they reached the
gate of the fair grounds.
We'll, well, said the Quaker; ''think no
more of so small matter as the pie the
fault was mine, for it was wrong to press
thee so. But let us forget all unpleasantness
in the fair"
II have no money, as l told YOU" cried
Zack, shrinking back.
The Quaker took from his vest pocket the
family ticket, and showed it to the boy.
Zack looked at it doubtingly.
81 am not one of your family" he faltered.
"But thee may be if thee will" was the !
prompt return. "Thee shall not 60 back to
SO hard task master as Simon Baxter, unless
thee have fear that may be no better |
have need of an apprentice, and would gladly |
take thee into my family. 1t was not for |
nothing that my brother sent thee hither. He |
speaks well of thee, and he tells me in his |
note that he will make matters right with thy |
old master. Come, let US hasten. Dorothea |