Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-01-18
WOODSTOCK, VERMONT, JAN. ls, 1882

Paul sat on the veranda while tho
women folks We're clearing the table,
and the former after two or three pre-
liminary hems, spoke his mind.
thee was looking for work perhaps,
friendT
NO, cant say that was,
Thee would take job if thee could
get one, maybc3'
THAT depends on what it is
Can thee mowl'
A smile broke over the young mans
face. Not very well, 'hc said, Il
did learn how TO swing scythe once -
when I-whcn | was on u farm for u
month in the hay season; but I'm not
an expert mower
THAT might come by practice, re-
Joined the farmer. you see, my man
was obliged to leave me before the hay
was all made and when met thee
was going after some one to take his
place and, did not succeed. Thee
might be of help if thee would, and |
would give thee fair wages
well, sir, il is new business for me |;
but I'll do the best | can for you till
you can do better; and as for the
wages, we'll not differ on that
Then thcc'll stay here, and wc'll
tackle the south field Tomorrow en-
claimed the farmer, joyously. Ma
omi, thee'll get room ready for friend
Paul. He's going to help with the
hay
SO John took service with Mahlon
Stacy, or, as he put it to himself that
night, "I'm hired to Rachcls uncle
and he laughed at the same time as
though it were the funniest thing posi-
BILE.
The hay-making was over in three
days, but John, us they all called him
now, remained. He evidently knew
very little about farming, but took
teaching kindly. He developed great
knowledge of horses, their needs and
wants, and altogether Mahlon was sat
isfed with his raw hand. The fourth
day it raincd so that outdoor work was
stopped. The farmer and John sat in
down-cast mood. John watched Rach-
els motions for some time, as she
moved about gracefully, and then took
book which stood upon the shelf, and
began reading. Mahlon smiled GRIM
ly.
'If thee likes to read,' he said,
there's No Cross, No Crown and
Barclays Apology in the sitting-room.
That is foolish book of poetry that
Rachel delights in. But it can do no
one any good. 1t is funny in parts,
though.
1t was Hoods poems.
Some of this is by no means funny
said John, the Bridge of Sighs,' for
instance.
Il don't remember. Will thee read
it out?'
John read the poem, and in way
that no one there had heard-read it
with feeling and force.
Thee reads remarkably well, John,
said Mahlon.
Poor creature = said Naomi. She
referred to the heroine, and not to
John.
Rachel said nothing, but her eyes
were full of tears.
On Saturday John got two hours
leave of absence, and returned with a
bundle, which he carried to his room.
The next day he came down to break
fast in a new light suit. Mahlon made
no comments, but after breakfast asked
John if he would go with them to
Friends meeting, or to some other
place of worship, or would he stay at
home. we go to Friends meeting of
course but 'Rachel's father was Pts
copal, and Rachel goes there. Then
there's the Methodists and Presbyter-
ians.'
Il shall go to the Episcopal church,
said John.
'Ah Well, we drop Rachel at the
cross-road always, and thee can get out
there
So John walked from the getting-out
place to the church, which was mis-
sionary chapel, where the rector of an
adjoining parish gave a service every
alternate Sunday. There were few
attendants, and the coming of fine
looking young man made sensation.
When service was over, however, and
they all came out, some one whispered
that the new conner, was 'Mahlon
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