Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-28
BETWEEN TWO STOOLS.

BETWEE TWO STUOLS.
In the broad back porch of a pleas
ant farmhouse sat two young girls
engaged on some light needlework.
The porch was shaded by the wide
branches of an elm, beneath which. at
a round table sat tall, good-looking
young man, partaking of an eleven
o'clock lunch. lie was evidently just
from the field, for he was in his shirt
sleeves, and a sunburnt straw hat lay
on the grass, while he partook, with a
healthy, hearty appetite, of the light
biscuits and fresh milk and butter
placed before him.
And as he ate he looked at the two
young girls on the porch, particularly
the prettier of the two, whose light
yellow hair the breeze had "huffed"
most becomingy about her fair face.
She had something Of coquettish
look and air, while her companion was
quiet, with thoughtful gray eyes and
an almost difidcnt expression.
"Mother!' called the young man,
presently, looking toward the open
kitchen window, "some more milk, if
you please"
Mrs. Wheeler came to the door, with
her sleeves rolled ur, and small
pitcher in her hand,
Both girls rose to take it from her;
but she placed it, as if instinctively, in
the hands of the light haired girl,
saying:
tom seems thirsty to-day; but
meadow Living in July is warm
work."
"And hungry work, too," Tom re-
marked, laughing. "Thank you,
Lottie; but won't you stay and talk to
me here while eat!"
"No, indeed; I've too much to do to
be able to waste my time here in chat
ting"
"Why, that's something new.
Don't you always sit and talk to me at
lunch time?"
"Not always, by any means. And
because I've done it occasionally is no
reason why l should keep on doing it
all my life.'
He looked up at her inquringly
"Whats the matter, Lottie? Any
thing happened to vex you?'
"No, indeed! How unreasonable You
are, Tom! If | am not always laugh
ing and chattering, you think am out
of temper"
The girl on the porch looked up
gravely from one to the other, but said
nothing,
Tom slipped his milk slowly. His
appetite seemed suddenly to have de-
serted him.
The girl stood at a little distance,
partly turned from him, and sewing
on the ruifle in her hand.
After awhile, setting down his
empty mug, he said, in a lower tone:
"Lottie, wouldn't you like to drive
to the picnic tomorrow in my new
buggy?"
II don't know that l am going,'
she answered, without raSin, her
head.
"Not going' Why, for what
reason?"
ut will be so hot and the road so
dusty" she answered, hesitatingly.
"Well, I don't wish to take you
against your will" he answered,
little coldly. Il wonder If Alice will
go2"
81 dare say she will She expected
to go in the carryall with the Burtons,
but of course she will enjoy buggy
ride mOre-wUn't you, Allie?'
So Tom Wheeler, who had intended
merely to pipue Lottie into accepting
his offer, found himself quite unex-
pectedly drawn into an engagement to
take Alice Brown to the next days
picnic.
And what was very puzzling to him
it was entirely Lottis's doings.
What could she mean by it? he Won
dered-for until now she had never re-
fused his escort anywhere.
Lottie was Instantly related to the
Wheelers, and was in the habit of pay
ing frequent little visits to the farm
house.
Mrs. Wheeler liked to have young
people about her; and she was, more
over, particularly anxious that her
only son, Tom, should marry and
"settle down" with his wife on the
farm.
She had seen enough of late to con-
vince her that Lottie was to be her
sons choice, and she was well enough
satisfied, though the girl was little
"highty," and not quite so sensible and
sterling as she could wish.
But that would wear off after mar
riaue. and Iottie certainly WAS fine