Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-03-21

tossing her head, "if our ginger-snaps
don't suit the gentleman, then it's i'm
possible to suit him. That's all"
"IIes been sick, you know" said the
maid-servant, apologetically. "And
he's just getting better, and his appe-
tite's dreadful uncertain, and Mrs.
Pugsley-my missus-shc thought she
was sure to tempt him with these ere.
Ginger-snapsH said he. Just what I've
been a-longin' for. My mother used
to bake 'em for me, when l was child,
Yes, Mrs. Pugsley,' said he, you may
order 'em for me- But" with mild
sigh, "missus might ha' known they
wouldn't suit. Nothin' suits when Il
gen'leman's just off sick bed"
SIS it Mr.. Lilburne?" said Mary.
"Oh, remember him. He came here
once, and went to sleep while Edelgitha
was singing, ooh, Summer Night' l
liked him. He talked to Inc about
the country. He knew all about
calves and chickens, and cranberry
5wamps and robins'-nests. Docs he
like ginger-snaps? I'll make some for
him. | know an old-fashionel receipt
that is always good. Come here to-
morrow, my good girl" to the maid,
''and I'll have some ready for you.
Poor Mr.. Lilburne ! I'm sorry he's
sickv"
The smart shopwoman stared as
superciliously as List or Chopin might
have done if village bugler had vol
to them the first principles Of
music.
A country-girl, like that, expect to
with "Biggss Celebrated Bak-
cry" Well, really, the shopwoman
did't know what the world was COM
ing to.
But little Polly hurried down stairs
again to where Mr. Biggs, all powdered
with flour, was laying down the law
to some of his satellites.
"Ginger, my dear?' said he. "And
-four? What you like-what you like.
AS l was telling you, johnson, a barrel
of prime flour has to be humored.
You can't drive it. Flour is flour,
and must be handled accordingly"
4 4 K X X X
Mr.. Leonidas Lilburne, stalking un-
easily about his sick-room, and anathe-
the sluggish current of the
hours, was secretly making up his
mind to get married.
After a man has once been sick in
a clearinghouse" he said to himself,
"he's fool if he don't look around foI
a home of his own. / am forty next
It's high time l was thinking
of settling in life Eth, who's there:'
"It's Inc, sir, please!' said Mrs
Pugsley-"with some ginger-snaps.'
"Pshaw" said Mr.. Lilburne. Filing
'em out Of the window! Give 'em tC
the dogs. l don't want any more Of
your city humbugs.'
"But please, sir, these are quite diff
ferentW Mrs. Pugsley coaXed-"mad,
by a young woman from the country
as works in Mr.. Biggs' bakery. Ant
| was to ask, would you be so very
good as only to taste emp
"Oh, yes, I'll taste them" said Mr.
Lilburne, sarcastically. Its no trou
BILE to poison myself, just to obligt
people!'
And Mrs. Pugsley, entering with an
apprehensive air, put the plate o
round, golden cakelets on the table.
81 really think, sir" said she, "if yol
would only taste them
"Hum hal" said Mr.. Lilburne
"These are quite different article
These are the kind my old mother use(
to turn out b! They're ambrosia -
they're food for the gods! Who mad,
them, say?'
IL don't know, sir, I'm sure" saiC
Mrs. Pugsley, rather discounted b..
this direct address. "Some young per
son in Mr.. Biggs' bakery"
"Order a carriage" said Mr.. Lilburn
-"and bring me my sable-trimme'
overcoat at once. I'll go and see tha
young woman. l don't believe ther
is another person on the American
continent that can make ginger-snap
like these, now that my poor old moth
er is buried!"
Mary Biggs came, laughing, up fron
the subterranean deeps of Biggs' bal
cry.
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Lilburne," said she, "
made the snaps! Don't you remembe
me--Edelgitha's cousin?'
"But what are you doing dow
here" demanded Mr.. Lilburne, in som
amaZement.
Earning my own living" Poll
promptly answered. "And they tol
me you didn't like the store snaps, s
j baked some after my grandmother
old receipt"