Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-05-16
Saved by His Sister.

"Ahem, Lysanderl" said Miss Cath
eline SOuthernwood, one morning, as
she poured out her brothers third cur
of coffee, while he drenched his last
buckwheat-cake with sea of maple
syrup. 81 was a-thinking, Lysander
since you heve set your heart on mar.
rying that Jones girl Lysander
liguratively, pricked up his ears at this
announcement, for Miss Catherine had
been bitterly opposed to the idea of
her good-looking bachelor brother con-
signing his heart and fortune to the
tender mcrcics of the "Jones girl"
81 was a-thinking," she went on, de-
hberately, "that mebbc, seeing they're
SO kind of pinchcd fur means, that |
might get Olympia to come and stay
awhile this fall, and help me about
the housework. Therell be a heap to
do, with the apple-butter to make, and
the like; and, besides, | need some
help in the kitchen. Cookin' is gettin'
to be hard work for me now. But
there's one thing about it, Lysander,'
she continued, as her brother signifed
his willing consent and gratitude
"you must promise me that you won't
ask her to marry you while she is stay
ing here. 1t would be very improper,
1Ou know"
Lysandcr promised, and went out
to harness the mare, as Miss Catherine
had decided to drive over at once, and
bring Miss Jones back with her
She smiled grimly as her brother
strobe away, whistling.
"The shortest cut amt alus the
nearest road homc,' she said, COM
placently. "And there's more ways of
killing a cat than feeding it to death
with beefstcak. There's IIuldah Rush
is worth a dozen of that girl But, la,
Lysander is as blind us Il bat! Never
could see an inch before his nose."
astonishing how Sister Catherine
has come around at last!' thought Mr..
SouthernwoOd to himself. "At first
she couldn't bear the idee of me a.
marrying Olympia Jones, and now she's
actually a-going to have her in the
house. But that's just like a woman.
Let 'em see you will have your own
way, and not be led around by the
nose, and they'll give right up and be
as mellow as a fall apple. But | am
glad Catherine thought of getting
Olympia here this fall. It'll be a help
to 'em both, for the Joneses are poor.
But / don't care a rush for that! I'd
rather have a poor girl, anyhow, than
fine lady, that didn't know how to
make up a feather-bed or fry slap
jack. like woman that can hustle
around and see to things, even if she
don't have to do 'em herself-one that
can make pat of butter, or pick a
goose, or spin a hank of yarn, if need
be. And | like to see a woman look
neat" he went on, rs he curried the
dappled mare and rubbed her down
with a wisp of hay. "And Olympia
always looks as neat as Il new pin
when l call there. Anyhow, do hope
she'll Gomez he added, anxiously.
OF course Olympia would go. And
she ran quickly up stairs to pack up
her clothes.
"lt's mighty good chance for me-"
she thought, as she brushed her curls
before the little looking-glass; "and
I'll improve it, too! But I'll not help
with the house-work long she added.
"Wait till | get to be mistress up there,
and see who'll do house-work them!
Lysander's heart gave jump as the
wagon hove in sight with its two oc-
cupants, and visions of the blissful
weeks to come danced through his
mind. He was so embarrassed and
overcome with delight at the coquetish
smile Olympia bestowed on him that
he hardly had presence of mind
enough to let down the bars for them
to pass through.
"Now, Olympia" hustled Miss
Catherine, when they had laid off their
hats and shawls, "it's time we begun
dinner. Lysander must hev it at
twelve o'clock, precisely, or he thinks
he's killed. There's couple of pull
lets in the coop, out in the chip-yard,"
she added, tying clean check-apron
round her waist. "You may wiring
their necks, and git 'em ready fur
roasting, while start up a fire in the