Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-04-05
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, APBIL s, 1882.

"''HH"
him of"
She dressed herself quickly and went
down stairs, surprised to find how late
II had grown. When she reached the
kitchen she found another messenger
with another disappointment, but the
next day, without fail, Harry wrote he
would be home, As Mamie turned
into tho kitchen she heard the tramp
and Sarah In evident dispute,
"Ycs," said the fellow, "when that
time comes your mistress will have
another ironing-table, helping you,
instead Of wearing her Sunday clothes
every day"
Gan spoilin' everything for me to
do over. ] think ] see her, I've work
enough to do" answered honest Sarah,
not indisposed to have chat over her
work.
Mamie found u graceless-looking
fellow, unshayen and addressed, who
with u certain genllemanly instinct rose
up rs she came in.
III suppose my girl told You we had
nothing for you, aud that it will DO a
great kindness it you vii leave rs soon
rs possible"
"Yes, she did just that, madam, but
| took it upon myself to believe it
wasn't so urgent. The truth is, I'm
very hungry aud dead tired, and !
didn't believe but that you would give
me something to eat, at least I've watt
cd to ask you in person."
Women are soft-lcadcd creatures.
Mamie went and got him something TO
eat herself. The darkness that had
been increasing for sometime came
down rapidly and there burst one of
those terrific thunderstorms that gather
so suddenly and with such force in this
country. After its strength was spent
and | remember it was the most
violent of the season-there fell steady
sheets of rain that brought Rock creek
over the bridge before morning.
"NIadam, it's no use talking. You
cant mean to send q fellow out in such
u Storm said the tramp, as the three
stood on the porch watching the
storm.
"pm sorry, but I've no place for
you"
"What in house like this? It's a
pity there isn't a Granny for stow
away. l was walking around it, wait
ing for the girl, and it seems to me it
ought to be able to hold three people. 1"
"You are very impertinent. l tell
you l have no place for you and the
storm is already breaking away"
As she spoke even the rain came
down in binding sheets, and lightning
strcaked the heavens.
"Well," he said, carelessly, "we
don't 60 much on manners on the road,
but know l wouldn't send dog out
such night as this. Pm not par.
ticular chap, lcastwise not nowadays,
and I'll have to insist on your giving
me some kind of shelter, fits only
your dog-kennel."
The man spoke with decision.
Mamie felt that after all, they were
really in his power, and possibly it
might be worth while to do civilly
what she would probably have to do at
last.
~ will keep you on one condition."
she said. "There is loft to this
house, sort of garret, VI ch is very
1t is closed with trap
door, if you will allow us to lock the
door on the outside. !"
"Bless my stars and garters ~ he
said, looking at her curiously. 81
don't .are where you lock the door,"
They took him up stairs, and he
up the steep attic stairs. The
women shut the door as he politely
bade them goodnight, and they fasten-
ed they fastened the paddock, hearing
him chuckle to himself as he kicked off
his boots.
"Pd take the key, num-" said
Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her and
the two descended to lock up the house.
After having made everything secure,
they went back up stairs.
"You must sleep in my room to-
night, Sarah," the mistress said.
Sarah dragged in her bedding, and
made pallet on the floor, and then,
after the custom of women, they ex-
amed the closets, looked under the bed
and piled the chairs against and locked
he door. The rain was still falling