The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-30

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fashioned, claw-legged tables and
chairs, the vine-hung porches and veran-
das and the wholesome country fare.
There was Mrs. Fenshawe, gushing
widow, who went into raptures over
the beautiful view of crested hill-tops
and shadowy valleys, bounded by the
far, blue-tinted horizon. And there
was Miss Tuition, agood-natured, placid
faced maiden lady, who was quietly
content with everything about her.
Besides these already mentioned, Mol
lies boarders numbered a sallow-faced
young gentleman, who had sought the
country in quest of health, and brisk,
wide-awake geologst, Professor Tall
man, whose chief delight and occupa-
ton was in gathering specimens"
The garden throve luxuriantly, and
once week Mollie took her early peas
and cucumbers, mountain sweet-corn
and caullitlowers to the neighboring
village of Sweetbriar, where she readily
disposed of them, bringing back their
value in coffee, tea, sugar and other
necessary commodities.
Uncle Dabney's horse and wagon
was always at Mollie's service on Satur-
to market, which proved quite con-
venience to the young householder.
The old orchard, too, which had been
well trimmed and cared for, showed its
gratitude by producing quite crop of
Harvest Sweetings and Northern Spies,
affording Mrs. Hull ample means for the
exercise of her culinary skill in the con-
structiOn of luxurious pan-dowdies, :"
apple cobblers and the like. while the
milk from" Buttercup," the little Jersey
COW, furnished butter for the table and
cream for the tea and for the big bowl
of raspberries or blackberries which
figured daily at the evening meal.
But while affairs continued to 90
swimmingly for Mollie, the croackers
found fresh cause for gossip in that
very fact"
They live mighty fine, an set tip
top table," admitted Aunt Melenza,
who had been depending the day" at
the old homestead But / dunno
how Mollie works it. I'm feared she
goes in debt fur all them nick-nax."
But Mollie was too smart a girl to 90
in debt, and if she did not lay up much
she paid her way as she went.
hioo Molllc, Stlu lHe professor,
one day, taking seat on the porch be-
side Mollie, who was scraping carrots
for dinner, "what do you think these
are?'
Mollie gave a cursory glance at the
rough-looking bits held out to her. The
professor was always exhibiting d" spec
linens " of one kind or another.
" L should say they were rocks" re-
turned Mollie, in true western dialect.
" Exactly" smiled the professor.
But what kind of rocks?''
I" l don't know" was the answer.
81 don't know one kind of rock from
another"
so l thought" returned the pro-
fessor, gravely. If you did you would
not be keeping boarders for living"
Mollie looked up in surprise.
"Why?" she asked, with some curl
osity. "What have rocks to do with
my keeping boarders?"
"Just this" was the answer: "This
bit of white rock here l Clipped off of
ledge in the old sheep-pasture on the
hillside. And to the best of my knowl-
edge and belief, that ledge is magnetism
limestone, superior kind of building
stone which is in great demand. This
other bit is of a different kind of rock,
but quite valuable also, and is used for
door and window-sills. 1t is worth
forty cents square foot, and there is
no doubt but what it exists in album
dance on your farm. But if the other
proves to be really magnetism lime
stone, you could sell out tomorrow for
| $4,000, Miss Mollie!'
go, Professor Tallman! But how
but how should l go to work to find
out2" asked Mollie, clasping her hands,
excitedly.
" Leave it to me-" said the professor,
kindly. - am going to the city to-
morrow on business, and | will take
these bits of rock and exhibit them
to the proper parties. Then, Miss
Molie, you can either lease or sell
your property to good advantage"
g shall not SELL" declared Mollie,
" if | can help it,"
In due time the professor returned.
The specimen he had exhibited proved
to be magnetism limestone, and two
business men accompanied him to in
spect the ledge.
Before they left, Mollie was offered a
good price for her farm, or 81 900 a
year and a certain share in the profits
of the quarry.
She accepted the latter offer, and
soon the sound of hammer and drill
was heard in the once despised sheep
pasture.
The news was a nine days wonder
among the neighbors.
AS rocky as the Hillacre farm u
had been by-word in that locality fol-
years, and now to think those self
same rocks were to be coined into
money before their very eyes!
The astonished relatives hocked to
the old homestead to congratulate
Molle on her good fortune.
Steve Kimble was one of the first tC
put in an appearance.
"You was right in holdin' onter the
old place, Mollie, after all )" he declared
radiantly. " And-and, of course, you
didn't think meant to break off with
you fur good and all, Mollie?"
" Indeed" answered Mollie, with {
smile.
OF course not! l only wanted to try
you, en- see if you wouldn't give in tC
my way of thinkin'. But it's lucky yor
didn't after what's bannede1 And