Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-08-28
ON HILLAORB NOME.

AbAANSAAl hNhhlhohuf hkAuoh Ohoio blAi-
con.
"Does the gal expect to live on grass an
YARDS like the -brutes," grumbled Cousin
Gideon.
"She better OF took the $500 Squire Stat
ford offered her" said Uncle Simeon, sagely
"Irs mors'n the old place is wuth, half rocks,
an the rest growed up with mullein-stalks an
hoar-houn' an wild chamomile."
AN $500 would have sot her an Steve
Kimble mp real nice" pursued Aunt Melzena,
briskly stirring away at huge kettle Of soft
soap.
And no the chorus went on among the Mel.
len and Hillacre relations, far and near, and
all because Mollie Hillacre, self-willed girl,
refused to part with the old homestead and
its twenty acres Of sterile soil, which had be-
come hers on the death of Grandpa Hillaere
some months previous.
Among all the clan there was no one TO
take Mollie's side OF the question but old IN
Gle DAbney Melen, who occupied the adjoin-
ing farm.
"Mollie amt nobody's fool, kin tell ye," "
he would say, nodding his head wisely. AN
Of she hangs onter the old homestead she'll
make II pay, one way or anuther, or my name
amt Dabney Melen."
But the other relatives only shook their
heads forebodingly and declared that "a will
full woman must have her own way" and
they washed their hands of her entirely
''As she makes her bed, 80 she must lay in
ii" declared Uncle Simeon, tritely. "An' il
she comes TO grief she needn't spect us to
help her out"
"Of course not, echoed the rest.
But still Mollie persisted in taking her
own head" in spite Of their predictions and
representations.
Even Steve Kimble, Molies affAnced low
or, sided against her. He was distant cous-
in on the Mellen side.
what could we ever do here Mollis 2" he
argued. II couldn't make livin on the old
wore-out ground Tain't ft fur nothin' but
black eyed peas. Why, it wouldn't grow q
bushel o wheat TO the acre An look at the
ole sheep pastur. The amt skeersely a
blade o grass on it all summer. But il we
had $500, could set up a store at the cross
roads, an we'd soon be a gittin' rich"
But l love the old place, Steve" persist
cd Mollie. 81 was born here, you know
and"
"shucks what il you was" interrupted
Steve, impatiently. well, you kin have
your ch'ice, Mollie. II you think more o. the
ole place than you do of me, why keep it.
But you can't have both, that's ALL"
'Steve, cried Mollie, ''do you mean il p
Yes" returned Steve, sullenly, 81 do
mean it,"
There's your ring then" said Mollie
quietly, "and good evening"
And she walked proudly up the grass
grown walk 10 the house, while Steve slung
himself Angrily away.
Here was fresh food for the gossips, for
the news of Mollies broken engagement soon
spread abroad, and the tongues wagged and
heads we're shaken more vigorously than ev-
or.
But Mollie paid no heed to their fault-6nd-
ing.
81 must contrive some way TO make Il liv.
ing" she told herself, "aud why not try
keeping boardersI II the place ia worth $500
TO Squire Stafford it's worth that much to
me. The old house has rooms enough TO
quarter a regiment, and il the furniture ia
Old-fashioned, it's we'll preserved, and must
make it do. think ! can get grandpas old
housekeeper, Mrs. Hull, to stay and help me.
Aud now for ways and means. The place
is rocky, and worn out, to be sure, but I'll
have the old stable torn awRy-its ready 10
tumble down anyway-and take that place for
my garden, and a shed will do for the COW.
/ can raise vegetables enough, with little
outside help, to pay for most of my groceries,
| and the old orchard and the berry patch,
trimmed up little, will bring quite a crop oi
fruit"
Aud having laid her plans, like a skilful
general, Molie went to work with a will.
Mrs. Hulls services we're soon secured, and
the old house put into "apple pie" order
The windows were secured, curtains taken
| down, washod and ironed and put up again.
Carpets were taken up, cleaned, and put
down again. The old fashioned, ponderous
furniture was rubbed with turpentine till you
could see yourself in the tall bed posts and
chair backs, and the mirrors and brass FIRE.
IA. A: Al u i.
Uncle Dabney Mellen, with his hired hand
came and pulled down the rickety stable
chopped up the old logs into fre-wOod, and
| plowed and narrowed the garden besides
helping Mollie TO plant ii.
And when all was ready few judioious
advertisements brought Mollie the requisite
number of boarders.
There were Mr.. and Mrs. Smythe, 9
wealthy elderly couple, who were charmed
with the big rooms, the old-fashioned, CLAW
| legged tables and chairs, the vine-hung porch
es and verandas and the wholesome country
fare There was Mrs. FenshAwe, gushing
widow, who went into raptures over the beau
| tiful view of crested hill tops and shadowy
valleys, bounded by the far, blue tinted hori.
zon. And there was Miss Tuition, a good ma
! tured, placid faced maiden lady, who was
| quietly content with everything about her.
Besides those already mentioned, Mollie'l
bOarders numbered a sallOw faced young gen.
i tleman, who had sought the country in quest
of health, and brisk wide.awake geOlogist,
/ Professor TallmAn, whose chief delight aud
occupation was in gathering specimens"
The garden throve luXuFiantly, and onoe a
week MOllie took her early peas and eucum
bers, mountain sweet corn and cauliflOweTs Ia
tho neighbOTing village of SWeetbriAr, where
abe readily disposed of them, bringing bach
L A /. 4. =, Nna .Nn.
necessary commodities.
Uncle Dabney's horse and wagon was al
ways at Mollie's service on Saturdays TO con
vey herself and her "truck" TO market, which
proved quite a convenience to the young
householder.
The old orchard, too, which had been vel
trimmed and cared for showed its gratitude by
producing quite crop of Harvest Sweetingi
and Northern Spies, affoFding Mrs Hull am
pie means for the exercise Of her culinary
skill in the construction of luxurious pan.
dowdies, apple oobblers and the like, whil'
the milk from "Butteroup," the little Jersey
GOV, furnished butter for the table and cream
for the tea and the big bowl OF raspberriel
or blaokberries which figured daily at the
evening meal.
But, while affairs continued to go swim
mingy for Mollie, the oroakers found fresh
cause for gossip in that very fact.
"They live mighty fine an set q tip top Ia
ble," admitted Aunt Mslzena, who had beeI
"apending the day" at the old homestead
"But / dunno how Mollie works ii. In
feared she goes in debt for all them nick
max"
But MOllie was too smart a girl 10 go il
debt, aud il she did not lay up much, sh
paid her way AZ she went.
"Miss Mollie, said the professor one day
taking seat on the porch beside Mollie, VIII
was scraping carrots for dinner, "what d.
you think these are 2"
Molie gave q oursOry glance at,the rougl
looking bits held out 10 her. The profeaso
was always exhibiting specimens" Of on
kind OF another.
II should say they we're rocks, retuTne
MOllie, In true western dialect.
Exactly" smiled the professor. "Bu
what kind of rocks 2"
81 don't know" Was the answer. 81 don
know one kind OF rock from another"
$50 l thought" returned the proiesso
graVely. "If you did you would not b
keeping boarders for living"
Mollie looked up in surprise
"Why 2" she asked with some curiosity
"WhAl have rocks to do with my keepin
bOArders 2"
"Just this" was the anawer. "This bit q
\