Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-04-02
TWO IMPOSTORS.

"Pinkton's boy, aGain?' said Hannah
Digby. "Now what does Pinkton's
boy want this time? Didn't | give
him half a mince-pie and al the rest
Of that cold boiled ham not two hours
ago? Thumping away at the door
loud enough to wake the Seven Sleep
ers, when uncle has just laid down for
his nap, l declare, I've no patience
with that child"
"lts on an errand he's come this
time, Miss Hannah said Thyrza, the
help. at least that's what he says
There amt no bclieyin' Pinkton's boy,
though
Outside, in the angry red twilight,
the March wind was bowling like some
infuriate demon, rocking the bare tree
tops to and fro, and rattling the loose
window shutters against the
side of the house, while under the hill
the breakers of Lone Bay flung them
selves like miniature packs of artillery
along the rock bound shore.
Hannah shuddered when she stepped
out on to the porch, and confronted a
dirty, red-haired little varlet.
"NNhat is it, Hezekiah?" said she,
sharply, "Now you can't he hungry
and l know you are not cold, for you
are wearing uncle's old overcoat, |
should like to know what sends you
here now?'
please, miss" sad TIczekiah, 'it
faint l; it bees old Mrs. Kcslry"
Mrs Kesley, again. said Hannah,
with a gesture Of despair. "Why, it
was only yesterday that uncle was
there"
at bees old Mrs. Kesley," stolidly
repeated IIe2ehiah. "She be in m)r-
tial hurry. Her have got mortal bad
pain in her bones."
Pshaw" said Hannah, more to her
self than to Hezekiah, who added:
"JIer told | to run, Then ruined,
l did-an the wind most blow'd Off
the hill"
poor child" said Hannah. "Thyr2a,
give him bowl of tea and slice of
gingerbread. But, all the same, | am
not going to disturb uncle lie was out
all night, and this morning he had to
drive over to Castle Peak and he has
only just laid himself down for a nap.
I'll take bag of hops and little
quinine and some aconite and drive
over myself, with old Blackie in the
gig"
"But how will Mrs. Kesley like it?'
said Thyrza, with broad smile.
"Oh, she won't care" said Hannah;
"and besides, she can't help herself.
shall tell her that Uncle sent me-"
And with haste and speed, the doc
tors niece bundled herself into a black.
and-green shepherds plaid shawl, and
a hood from which her plump, dimpled
face looked out like a pink-trailing ar.
butus from a snow-drift.
"Come, Thyrza-come, Hezekiah!
she said. Light the lantern and come
along. Wen harness up ourselves
Uncle must not be disturbed"
Hannah Digby was one Of those
bright, spirited girls who understand
a little of everything. She led out old
Blackic and skilfully harnessod him
while Thyrza held the lantern, and the
half-witted boy lent ready assistance
with girths and buckles, and was soon
on her way to Mrs. Kesley's house, in
the face of the bowling March wind.
al suppose all doctors have such pa
tients,' she said to herself. "But what
blessing it would be if Mrs. kegley
would either die or get we'll"
1t was a long and dreary drive
Hannah was thoroughly out of pa
tiencc, besides being chilled through,
before she sprang out on the door-stone
Of Mrs. Kesley's old brick house.
"l'll give her piece of my mind"
said Hannah.
Fresh rs rose sho came into the
room-nobody boltel their doors or
turned an inhospitable lock on Green
Notwithstanding with her a fra
grant accompaniment of pine wood
breath, AMI sweet hillside breczes.
"Well, Mrs Kcsley, what IS it now"
she said, tartly, as she saw "a iiqure
bulllol ~, nm tho Lr,,l ,.Lt.L. - -