Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-04-28
WOODSTOCK VT, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2s, 1880

thkt ~ tle 'pphhy' wv" Wv WV
me, you know"
Accordingly, tho merry girl, wheI
she went TO walk that night, wore
rcd rose eoquettIslly below one ear
where III crimson aud velvet beant,
brought out tho golden tint OF he'
matchless hair brilliantly,
Her father was walking with her
They had not been walking long be-
fore they noticed approaching them
the strangesl specimen OF humanity
that either Of them had ever beheld.
Hc was tall and awkward IN hi'
movements, his hair long aud straight
on his shoulders, Hc wore broad
brimmcd slouch hat ci sott felt,
swallow tail and plaid iunmcntionables,
with .paient-leathcr boots, narrow OF
toes aud high Of heels. In one hand
he carried bouquet, which he held at
arms length, as II something eSplo-
siyc.
"lIcre he is, papa said Annie,
with n smolhcred laugh, "Now be
sure you are civil to him"
She accepted the bouquet which tho
stranger proiicrcd her smiling!y, and
her father invited him to go with
them, which he did.
Annie noticed with some surprise
that her bouquet was made up with
exquisite taste. But that she attribn-
ted to the florist, of whom the "clod"
had probably purchased it.
But what surprised her most was to
find, when the evening was over and
the strange guest had departed, how
much she really enjoyed il. In spite
OF his oddities and awkwarkness, the
"clod" had contrived TO be interesting,
ale has fine eyes and good features,
papa she said "and it he would cut
his hair and dress with some regard to
taste, be would please me better than
any of those others whom you would
have liked me to marry, aud whom |
am sure would instantly withdraw
their suits had they known the condi-
ton of your affairs. l wonder IT he
is really so rich as he says?
"IIave no anxiety about the money"
said Godfrey Prime to his daughter
after few days. "rhe fellow has
come unexpectedly into large for
tune. lie could pay my debts and
set me up in business again, if he
choose, without missing the money.
And he stands ready to do it il you
will marry him"
II am ready" said Annie, gayly.
"NIy heart warns to him already"
Tbe marriage took place soon.
The merchant was reinstated in his
business, and in a grander and more
Aourishing manner than before.
The splendid residence which he
and his daughter inhabited before his
bankruptcy was purchased and refur-
nished in the best manner.
Only one thing troubled Annie.
Her "clod' still remained "clod," do
what she would. All her efforts
though she had made him cut his hair
and Danish his rainbow suit-coald
not make him any different from what
he Was at first.
But he was devoted to her, and be-
cause of his riches, everybody courted
him. His very awkwardness became
the fashion, and his most ungramati-
cal speeches were passed, from tongue
to tongue as profound wit.
Besides all this he had a good heart,
so much genuine kindness of disposi-
ton, being always ready to succor the
unfortunate, and he loved her so well
that Annie could not help loving him
in return.
"Dear Clod," she said to him one
day, despailngly, when, in spite of all
her instruction, he would flame out in
fancy necktie, and persist ID saying
"haint' for "have not" dear Clod,
you are too stupid for belief, but some
how can't help loving you for all
that"
The "clod' smiled, and kissed her
most tenderly.
81 have been stupid" he said, "and
you have been more patient than l de-
serve. But from this hour you shall
see a change in me-"
Annie laughed indulgently. She
had resigned herselfto see him always
"clod."
But to her amazement, that evening
when her pariors were filed with the
elite and fashionable Of the city, her
husband presented himself attired in