The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-01-11

lFM1AN lFWff Ata AfhAt W tta& "A@"@f
ference. "Hc's commonly master thought
fal ahon, looking out for folks What
husband be ~asl
Yes, Asa PhOeuiH bad been good bus
band. All the neighbors agreed with Mrs
Dubbs Ia that particular He had waited
on bis fassy. invalid wife, who was dying
by inches, for thirty years, making her as
happy as she would le, him: aud when
her summons came he had closed her dy
ing eyes tenderly. saying with tears.
Poor sufferer, sbe i better OFF !
That he was better on he never limited
by word OF look He wore bis widower's
weeds with sad decorum; be reared
in memory Of the departed Lucinda a
monument. which the most fastldious de-
ceased might have enyied; he grieyed
faithfully for the full allotted year Of
mourning. IT, now. from the ashes OF the
funeral pyre, like his feathered namesake
OF fable. be was springing up with re-
newed youth and freshness, was 1t not
well?
| In truth, though he had not seen ut to
coufde this fact to Mrs. Dubbs, Deacon
Phoenix had slighted the minister dellb-
erately and with malice aforethought. Nor
was it Of tho conference he was thinking
that fragrant June morning as he whirled
away tucking lap robe well about bis
glossy new broadcloth.
For once in his hitherto blameess life
he was trying to hide the secular under
meath the spiritual He did not mean TO
go straight TO meeting; it was his willy in
tention to make a wide circuit and call on |
Miss Olive Wayne in the town OF Chester.
He had question to ask her and did not
want the parson with him. He hoped he
might want him little later.
Pretty, cheerful Olivel How fond be had
been OF her years ago, when she attended
his school II he had not then been in
love with Lucinda he was sure he should
have fallen in love with her, mere child
though she was He had never lost sight
OF her, aud he thanked Providence that he
had been enabled by money and influence
TO help her family over some hard places
Please God, the dear girl should hence
forth have an easy life. Girl Why, little
Olive must be fifty
The good deacon laughed at the anus.
ing recollection. Well, she would always
be young to him. and as for himself, at
sixty odd he was a hale man yet; he
could jump five rail fence now as well as
ever he could--giye him time. His
thoughts continually reverted to Olive, so
patiently devoted to her invalid father.
She should bring the old gentleman to his
home il she wished, or he would provide +,
for his maintenance at her brother Reub.
ems. Hewss inclined ttp think that the
better plan. The money wodld be an OBJ
iect to Reuben, and Olive would be re-
lieved. M8 lc
Iu these cogitations the morning passed, |
md noon found the deacon at little no.
.el in Chester. Impatient OF delay, after
. hasty dinner he set out almost immetfi- h
ltely for the Wayne homestead Arriving
It the gate he spied Miss Olive at the win
low, and alightod with youthful agility 1
lot altogether prudent in a man who had y
,winges Of sciatica And yet, strange in +
Of human nature-he dallied a
With the hitching post, and afterward, v
With his hand on the very knocker, he Y
paused to scan the distant thorizon, as
hough he had come mainly for view Of |,
he mountain. In
Miss Olive opened the door, her cheeks h
lushing like late October peaches. She a,
would not have been woman had she |,
lot divined the deacon's tender mission, q
proclaimed by every detail Of his immacu n
ate toilet, by the grasp OF his hand, by ID
lis nervous, expectant air. And, more ID
'ver, Miss Olive was an attractive woman, 4
lot unversed in lovers ways. o.
''Happy to see you, Mr.. Phoenix. Walk al
n, said she, furriedly, issuing him into Sc
he sitting room, where her aged father K,
ozed in his arm chair. 90
"Who is it. Oliver" said the old gentle "
lan. waking with bewildered stare. ia
"Mr. Phoenix, father You remember "
lr. Phoenix, I'm sure. at
81 don't know as / do, said he queru- se
,usly, fumbling with the guests out, m
lretched hand whats he come for, n,
,live?" o.
The deacon looked ss if he was sudden
: feeling the hot weather; Olive was pos :
lively feverish, but she deity evaded tue !.
-oublesome question by diverting her or
Ither's attention. His peppermint tea !.
as ready would he not drink it? As she 4.
overed about the invalid, Strengthening - !.
is pillows, arranging his footstool and !.
,eadying his cup while lie drank, MIR, =
hoenir regarded her admiringly How y y
oung she seemed still. Not gray thread \
! her golden hair; scarcely wrinkle in
er face. That was because OF her excel
Mt disposition He waited until she had :,
,othei the old man into slumber, then IN
direct, manly way introduced the sub
ct that lay next TO his heart. Z
Miss Olive interrupted him by an elo- i
uent glance toward her father. "
He is very childish aud dependent. He " y
.nnot do without me. =
Let me help yon care for him, Olive. y,
y house is large, my means are ample. =
II couldn't. Mr.. Phoenix lit is like your -
snerosity 10 propose such thing. bat =
,uldnt have him burden upon you" ~ ~
"why, bless your soul. Olive, do you =, ~
oppose should consider friend Of yours =
l.,rSaagW ~