Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-07-25

and | have managed the farm ever
since father died. Philo--that's our
brother-has a house and an estate OF
his own, and his wife don't want any
single relations. But we've done very
well, every one says. Here's the place
And here's Malvinaw
Miss Malvina Welland was diligent-
ly hoeing sweet corn in mans hat
and boots. She was tall, Amazon
ian sort of female, with high cheek
bones, hair cut short, and a masculine
way of leaning on her hoe. She looked
sharply around at the sound of foot
steps.
"Is it the new hired man?' said
she. "Then, Desire, you may tell him
that we don't want help that comes at
this time of day. I'll have no eight
hour men on my place"
"Oh, Malvina, hushv' cried the
younger sister, in despair. "lt's gen
tleman on business"
In came Brother Philo from the
back yard, with an auger in his hand.
"Eh?" said Brother Philo, a wrinkled
hard featured man in blue owe rail,
and boots that looked as if they might
have been carved out of lignum vita.
BUS mess? 1t amt a SEWN machine
| s'pose? or new patent reaper, nor
any O these labor -savin' humbugs: !:
Because"
"lt's about your Cousin Rolf" said
Mr. Carey-"Paul Welland's son. He's
come back from Australia. He re-
quested me to come over here, as hap
pened to be passing this way, and see
what his relations would do about CIV
ing him home
At these words, Mrs. Philo Welland
emerged from the currant-bushcs,
where she was picking the sparkling,
ruby-colored fruit to make jelly. For
Mrs. Philo believed in always picking
her neighbor's fruit before she began
on her own.
"a home, indeedw said Mrs. Philo
"lts what l always told you, Philo!
Says |, that man'll be S re to come,
back some day, poorer than poverty
says l. And he'll expect us to take
care of him then. But we've worked
a deal too hard for our money--.me and
Philo--and if he wants to be sup
ported, let him just go to the poor
house. Paul Welland always was a
rovin' creetur', and Rolf amt no bet
ter, I'll 90 bail!'
Mr.. Philo Welland screwed up his
face into an expression of the utmost
caution.
"P'r'aps you're his lawyer, sir?'
said he.
Mr.. Carey nodded.
81 act for him." said he.
"Then tell him." said Philo, succinct-
ly, "that if he expects we're goin'
to support him, he's considerably mis-
took! We've always took care of our
selves; he can do the same! Come,
Betsey, we'd better be goin'"
"Philor cried out Desire; chow can
YOU be so selfish? Rolf Wellanl is
our cousin. If he is in want or trout
ble. whom has he to look to but us
Malvina, you won't be so hard-hearted
The old farmhouse is big enough for
our Cousin Rolf as well as for us.
You never would turn sickly old
man adrift upon the world?'
mo, wouldn't" said Miss Malvina,
humping her hoe upon the ground.
Look here, stranger, tell Rolf Well
ard he's welcome to a home with us.
We live plain, but we're ready to give
him a hearty welcome. Tell him to
come here at once. The sooner the
better"
"Women is FOOLS" incidently re.
marked Philo Wclland, chewing stalk
of currant leaves. 1f you lost what
little you've got, do you s'pose this re.
lative O. yourn would raise a finger tc
help you? Let every man take care
Of himself, say II"
"And who knows" cried Desire
brightly. "Perhaps we can get him
the district school school to teach?
heard Squire Loames say that the new
teacher wasn't going to stay more than
quarter longer
T'm glad you can afford to take free
boarders,' said Mrs. Philo, acidly. "Mt
and your brother-we can't!'
"Do come in, now, and get the
Coffee" said Desire. "And few late
strawberries, Mr.-Mr.-"
Carey is my namc," said the
stranger, who had stood immovablC
beneath the fiery hail of this con
versational episode. "That is to say
it is my name now. | chanced tc
make myself useful to rich old gen
teman in the East, who took fancy
TO me, and left me his property in hi'
will. The only condition appended
was that | should take his name in adj
dition to my own. And Carey isn't 8
bad name"
"Certainly it amt" said Philo, witt
watering eyes. 81 only wish we hat
a few of that sort of old gentlemt
out this way. I'd change my nam'
half a dozen times day if it woult
be any accommodation to 'em. St
you're rich, eh? Betsey, hi
| ~ Il l,.,p @.