Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-12-19

Those paper-soled French things Of
yours will never do. There's the
clover medder to 60 through, and the
road is streamin' wet"
"But, Uncle job" | protested, "they
would swallow up my feet entirely"
so much the better" said Uncle
job. "Nou won't get 'em wet"
went out into the kitchen, laugh
ing to myself, and put on the cow-hide
boots; then sailed out into the rain,
independently swinging my lantern on
one finger
The cows, two big-eyed, gentle Al
derneyS, were easily MIXED, foddered
and locked into their Sheds but Of the
horses, although | would not have ad-
mittcd 50 much to any mortal soul, |
was secretly afraid. could deal out
their hay to them, fOrking it into the
managers from the square holes in the
loit-iloor; but was obliged, with as
stunned valOr but much inward fear and
trembling, to carry the pals of water
into the very stalls of Bob and Roam,
and hold them up to their velvet noses.
However, they neither bit nor kicked
me, and | drew a long sigh of relief, as
| skurried once more out of Roan's
Immediate neighborhool, and went to
empty the sour milk into the pig-sty;
and then | bOlted the barn door, and
trlumphantly returned to the house,
the lantern swung knapsack-fashion
across my shoulder, and a brimming
pail of milk in either hand.
Look, Uncle job" cried breath
lcssly, pushing open the door, "what u
splendid lot of milk have got"
There stood en tableaU in the cow
hide boots, the dripping waterproof
coat, with Uncle Jobs ragged felt hat
| lammed down over my crlrls, and wisps
Of hay scattered about my dress; and
there, directly before me, was an ele-
giant gentleman, in a black diagonal
suit, with seal-ring on his finger, and
cameo studs in his linen.
Marian" said my uncle, "this is
Doctor Walton. Doctor, this is Miss
keyser, my niece from the city"
His neice from the city, lie better
have said his niece from Bedlam
Forgetful of all etiquette or common
sense, | set down my pals of milk and
fled
But had better have stayed Uncle
| Job called "Marian, Marian" after me.
Doctor Walton said something about
cloth for new bandages; and there was
the milk to be strained, after all.
only remained to draw my feet ont of
the cowhide boots, and tear off the
shocking felt hat and battered water
/ proof.
To-bc-sure, my skirts We're be-
draggled, and my back hair had fallen
down in waVy bronze mass, and |
was quite sure that there was a splash
of mud somewhere on my left cheek
but there was no time to lose, and |
was obliged to return to the sitting
room and act as Doctor Walton's first
lieutenant until the poor, swollen limb
was securely set and bandaged.
But, all the while, was blushing
like the "red, red rose" ! was too
proud to apologize. After all, what
was there to apologize for?
Well, Uncle jobs leg did very well.
Aunt Sabina, duly telegraphed for, ar
rived as fast as steam could bring her,
and old Candace, having buried her
brother, appeared once more on the
scene.
And wasn't it strange?--the very
day 1 went back to Albany, Doctor
Walton was on the train.
"You?" | cried, pleasantly conscious
of the pretty loops of blue ribbon ON
my travelling hat. and bunch of blue
asters in my bodice. "Why, l never
expected to see you here."
"Possibly not" he answered, color
inc little. "But | needed some new
instruments and a fresh supply of
vaccine virus, so | thought | would
just run up to Albany"
"Ah" said |, adjusting the blue
astcrs.
81 shall be detained there day or
two" said he. "Aiay have the pleas
ure of calling on you:'
Wen, only to think of that! OF
course said Yes What else could
lsay?
And he called. And when he went
away he asked permission TO correspond
with me-with me.-little Marian
Keyser only just out of boarding.
school.
And, as true as you live, one of his
letters-aiter we had corresponded all
winter long-contancd a declaration
of love!
"Do you'll him, Marian?" tender.
" que;tioned mamma, as hid my face
in my hanGs. -