Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-05-26

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So speedily put myselflbehind the
counter, which comfortably lid mo'e
than half my tall, gaunt figure, and
was so glad Of the shelter that ] found
myself becoming interested In these
desplscd parcela piled up before me- |
determined if ! could, to make my
mission q success, 40 that ] aud other
poor weary women might have this
refuge to fly TO In these gala seasons
Of misery.
The successful grocer, who had not
been very well pleased with the open
ingatitude for his bequesi, took heart
aud frightened up when he saw me
giving IN air Of smartness to his
goods. He extricated himself from
bevy of young and fair ones, aud
came generously over to help me. In
sheer gratitude began to praise his
yoang colt that was pastnring In a
field adjoining our garden, and he re-
mained with me, Shortly after, when
he found that queer feeling IN his
head agreed with the same discomfort
in my own poor Uranium, he brought
a chair behind tho counter, and in a
low tender voice he detailed to me the
interesting diagnosis of his pet NAL
ady.
On the other side OF me the minis
ters son, who was home from college
and suffering from that period OF
egotism which comes to young men
OF his kind, remained during the en-
tire evening, to show his contempt for
the young, the tair, the frivolous. A
few old married friends, whose wives
were sick or away, lowered about the
grocery counter, SO that it really did
happen that I was surrounded by
men. Tue evening was passed pleas.
antly enough. My dark corner was
well patronized, and every woman
who has to do with church entertain.
mepts will understand my gratiica-
ton and relief when found it was
nearly ten o'clock and all was we'll.
At this time a letter was put into my
hand by one of the little post-office
messengers--we always made tea,
ture of the post-office at our festivals,
where pink and parti-colored missives,
with doves and other doting designs
upon the envelopes, were distributed
at extravagant rates of postage.
had lust been favored with liberal
offer from customer, and elated with
my bargain, proceeded to put up my
bundles, not giving much heed to the
love-letter from the peighboring booth.
Truth t. say, | felt little tingling OF
the blood at the idea OF the mockery
that might be concealed therein by
one of those witty village youths, and
the letter lay there for a full halt-hour,
when somebody said in the most com.
mouplace way:
$50 Jack Hunter is back from Chi
Ia"
In moment everything was black
before me. dropped my hands and
my eyes to the counter, and when this
sudden dizziness had gone, saw up
on the little tawdry envelope, Jacks
scrawling hand writing. Here was
the little line | had coveted all these
yeara, and this is what my half blinded
eyes made out
IL came home because Was mad
to see you; because all these years,
and your old perfdy couldn't kill my
love for you. I 6nd you just as l ex'
pect,.t to in a space small enough to
be lilled outside and inside with-men.
You are as beautiful and fascinating
rs ever, and as fond of admiration.
So you are to be married to the gro
Ger, who so engrosses your attention
tina, you do not care to look at the
passers-by. God help him, and God
bless you! have had my lesson.
Now l shall, perhaps, be satisfied.
Good-by."
Five minutes after that, l was run
ming home without my hat, and with
his note crumpled up in my hand.
The people at the festival no doubt
thought that mamma was taken sud.
denly i'll. They could not have fan
cied was running after Jack, because
he had been there at the church for an
hour, and han been totally uncon-
scious of his presence. Dear heaven!
how could it BE- that didn't know,
that something didn't tell me, that
didn't feel he was 80 near ME!
But l didn't. went on talking to
the grocer about remarkable opera
ton for an ulcer he had undergone,