Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-06-02
TWO OF A KIND.

"Cucss I'll have look at 'cm."
OF all things, Mrs. Pilkington was
least able to resist q bargain.
The old Pllkington farmhouse at home
was, crommcd full of bargains" possible
and impossible. The bureau drawers
ovcrflowcd with "bargains' which were
of no use to anyone; the trunks were
packed full of "borgains,"
And here on the crowded crb-stoncs
of Grand Street, the swinging pastcboard
sign Of Great Bargains Withinw at
tractcd her attention, hurried though she
was with the manifold crrands which yet
remained incomplete.
She had a lot Of damaged tabIc-lincn
under her arm, and some cheap hosiery
in her bag, and a dozen towels with mis-
printed borders in her pocket, and here
she was crowdng into the Grand Street
store to buy bluc-spotted pongcc neck
tlNlHCl lOl tlSIllCtll INlllp'
eth do for Sara Janctta to wa'ar
around her neck Of cool cvcnin',n said
Mrs. Piikington, "ond eighteen cents is
rcally very cheap for real pongcc."
Mrs. Pilkington lived in little brown
rooted farm house on the lIousatonic
River, and her main GRAND up to town
had been to buy 'Storc carpet" for her
best room floor, and to exchange an old
sewing-machinc for something Of newer
order.
Her cousin, Mrs. Bruce Babbitt, who
had spent the summer months at the
farm, and made the most possible trouble
for the least possible pay. had also en-
gagged to hunt her up "hclp' from the
nearest intelligence office, and have the
same on hand when the 'livc-lour train"
left the Grand Central Depot that after
noon!
And sure enough, when the lady from
the country arrived, rcd and painting, at
the depot, with dishcvclcd hair, bent
bonnet, and shawl dragged all 0wry,
modest young giI stood at the door with
q card bearing tie name of "NIrs. Bruce
Babbitt' in her hand.
SIS ii Mrs. Pilkington?" said she.
"You amt the new sewing.
be you2' said Mrs. PilkingtoD, rubbing
her nose with puzzled air. Nor yet
the eighteen Yards Of carpet from Stoney-
bridge and Bouncc's"
II am Phoebe" said the young woman
--"Phnbc, at nine dollars n month, if /
am lucky enough to SUIT you, ma'am?'
She was pretty blue.cycd lass, with
fresh complexion, and neat gown Of
green and white scer-suckcr, and she
wore a bonnet Of her own trimming, with
cluster Of bntte:-cups on the side.
Mrs. Pikington looked obviously at
her. She had prepared herself to expect
a stout, rcd-handcd drudge.
1t did not seem possible that this deli
cate little apple-blog,om of a girl could
bc a servant oi.aII-wor'l!
But there, sure enough, were her Gre.
dcntials, and the bell, even then, was
changing for the closing of the gates.
Come on" said Mrs. Pilkington, and
she rushed through, dragging Phoebe
after her. 'It's strange, though, that
the carpet and the scwing-mochine amt
here"
"Did You expect carpet and sewing
machine, ma'am?" Phoebe asked, respect
fully.
81 bought 'cm aud paid Tor 'cm," said
Mrs. PiiAmgioa, imprcssivciy, "aad l
don't see why they amt here
"Pcrlap they ywii be sent by express"
suggested P,~b,.
81 declare to loGoodncse, Incver thought
Of that" said Mrs. pi.kington.
And she sAuniod through the crowded
car to fad . scat.
1t was tIlr dusk Of a Chilly May even
ing when ,hcy reached Blockbirds IIol-
low, and alj4ntc in the midst Of dense
pines and signing tamarachs.
"lf PiIkiugton ha.n't remembered to