Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-11-23
"Nyhat yer got in yer sack, BubY"

pHHiiEp DN' w" e"""'" 'N'' ~" '"' Wv
such an crrand. The cars will come
along some day and chop yer into
mince-mcat.'
The poor little pale.iaccd lad made
no reply, He was too happy in tho
enjoyment of the unexpected ride to
care for any anticipated danger. At
the door of his humble home the
farmer stopped, aud, to the surprise Of
the lad, got down from the wagon and
hitchcd his horses,
~ want to sec yer ma, so Ill jest
run in for u mint, fyou'll mind the
team"
One of the children answered the
summons, and conducted him into the
little kitchen, where the widow sat
sewing, with her brood of little ones
about u scanty fire,
"Don't git up, Miss Burton ] cant
stop but II mint. | gave yer boy Il
lift as | came along, and he told me
that he goes over on the railroad tel
pick up coal, and thought, maybe, yer
didn't know it was dangerous. The
lad is too small for sich work, and
some day he'll git killed. So ] hope
yer won't take it amiss that ! spoke Of
it ter yer"
Tears were in the good woman's
eyes long before he had ceased speaking
and she answered.
"You are very kind, sir, but what
can do? 1t is hard for me to keep my
little family together simply with my
needle, and the coal the children gath.
er from the track keeps us comfortable,
and leaves my scanty earning for other
needs.
"Ycr girls hain't any on 'em old
enough to work, be they, Miss Burton
If so, I'd take one of them to help sister
Bctscy. That would be one mouth less
to feed at any rate, she'd fare we'll"
clancy is twelve years old, and has
been brought up to be useful, and can
wash dishes, sweep, and do agreat share
of the ordinary work of a household"
All right Miss Burton. Have the
girl ready when | come back from
town, and I'll take her home with mo.'
Again in his wagon, Farmer Jones
communed with himself.
"Don't seem to be much of a show
for a Thanksgivin' dinner at Mis-:
Burton's. Poor thing! It's again ma
ture that such pretty girl as she uset
to be should have married that shiftless
drunken rake, Jim Burton, only to b.
left with lot of young ones to slave
for"
All the day Farmer Jones seemed il
an uncommon grave mood. The tow
people missed certain heartinessin his
manner, and not once did his boylik
laugh ring out to notify Centrevill
that Joel Jones was in town.
1t was almost dark when he reached
the widows cottage, and furious snow
storm had commenced. But securin!
his restless team he stamped into tn
little kitchen.
"It's stormin' terribly, Miss Burton
and l guess your little Janey better no
think of goin' tonight"
"No, thank you, l fear it would b
too tedious for the child. But will yo
not be seated, Mr.. Jones, and ge
warm before you 60 on?"
"Slim chance for that" thought he
But after an awkward pause, he an
swered, 81 would like to have wor
with you in private, Miss Burton"
With an expression of surprise sh
led the way into the cold and cherries
little sitting room.
"Jane Burton" he began after clear
ing his throat, "you and have know
each other since we were children
We was young folks together, an
though you war a pile above me,
always loved ye. But KNOWN
warn't fit for ye to wipe yer old shoe
on, l never said word, and let y
marry jim Burton, while l took Name
Prince. Since then the good Lord ha
E taken both on 'em, leavin' you with a
empty purse, and me with an empt
house. Well ter make a long stor
, short, l han't had ye out of my min
since / was here this mornin', and IN
heart is chuck full of ye. And, now
Jane, if l am good enough for yer, sa
so, and I'll try to do my duty by y
and the little ones"
!, During his earnest, stammerin
speech the poor woman had blushe
t and glowed like a full-blown rose, an
actually looked youthful again, an
like the fair young girl he had love
before and tears dimmed her eyes