The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-09-06
Blossoms Changed His Life.

"Oh, Frank, how lovely this air Isl
How pity the people in tho cityi To
think anyone should live in city from
choicel"
~ wouldn't damp your enthusiasm,
Kate, but, after all, man does not sec
much of the country; no is only like a
chicken which comes home to roost,
and everyone does not d delight in catch
ing the train twice each day can't
say I'm quite reconciled to it myself.
But must be offl Goodbye, both Of
you," and giving his young wife and
little daughter a parting kiss, Mr..
Travis ran for the train, whose warning
shrek could be heard in the distance.
Kate Travis fingered on the porch.
It was her first experience of a whole
year in the country, and every day
brought new delights. sho had dis
covered "pussy-willows" down by the
brook, and had learned how warmly
Dame Nature blankets the tender grape
vine leaves. She had found the shy
violets' and anemones' favorite hiding
places, and decked her little homo with
laurel, and revelled in the delights OF
lettuce and raddishes of her ''own rails
Ing" This particular May morning
was day in which tho mere fact that
one was alive was joy, and as the
young wife looked at the feecy clouds,
the hillsides bright with rye, and the
orchard one mass OF lovely blossoms,
she sighed for very excess of happiness.
II wish l had given Frank a branch
of apple -blossoms-they would have
frightened up that dreary cffice,"
thought Mrs. Travis. She, like the
rest of us, often had these after-im-
pulses, but somehow this one would not
be shaken off. Kate Travis was not a
,uperstitious woman, yet such burn
ing desire to send her husband some OF
The bright, delicate blossoms grew upon
her that she feared to resist it. just
before the starting of the next train, a
happy thought struck her, and, donning
her garden hat, having hastily gathered
three or four beautiful sprays Of the
blossoms, she hurried to the train. Yes,
jack Dorset was there--he took the
later train quite often, Kate thought,
regretfully, for she knew by many little
,igns that Jack was not quito SO atten.
live to business, not quite so true and
manly as he had been.
Jack, on his side, watched the bright,
eager face as it came near. "That Travis
is lucky fellow" he thought. "After
all, what fool fellow is to waste time
or money on cards and thcatresl"
ooh, Jack!" exclaimed Kate, breath
iessly-"I beg your pardon, Mr.. Dor
set! Gould you drop into my husbands
office and give him these blossomsi
This bran ch is for you"
Jack had only time to sieze the flow
srs and call out his thanks for his share
before he was whirled away in that re
entless fate-the train.
There were two reasons why Jack
Dorset had taken this later train,
though even to himself ho ackn owl.
sdged but one-- that, as business wa
slack, it was just as we'll to sleep a lit.
tie later this spring weather. But hid
den far cut of sight was another reason
and Jack had not been we'll seated wher
that reason became apparent.
"Hello! Thought you'd be on thi
train. Come along in the smoker
we're just making up hand"
"No, thank you" said Jack, with
decision that surprised himself quite a
much as his comrade.
"Why, what's up2 Turned rusty
Come, you'll have your revenge Oh
me today. 1 shouldn't wonder if yo1
won enough TO have lark tonight"
The perfume from the apple blossoms
had given Jack wonderful pleasure
not unmixed with bitterness, and whel
his comrade leaned over to whisper tn
last sentence confidentially, the odor o
stale Tobacco and liquor seemed un
bearable. Jack fairly blushed witt
manly shame.
"No, nor he said; 'Tll have non
of that sort of thing this morning,
and, with sudden realization of his owl
helplessncss and this bad fellows powe
over him, Jack deliberately walked owe
to old Deacon Taft and seated himself
by him.
The deacon was surprised. Youns
men did not take much to him. Per
haps he knew he was, at times, tn
mark for their jokes. But tho flower
helped matters.
.'Them's beauties, l do declare,
said the deacon, 'and Pm glad to see
young fellow like you think enough o
EN- to carry 'em to town. Why, l re
member when a flower just change
my hull future"
"Tell me about it, Mr.. Taft" sal
Jack with a sense of having escape,
from imminent peril.
"Wsal, / don't know as Two told
person about Mary's rose in years, an
of any body had told me five minute
ago that + d ha' been telling it to you
I'd ha' just laughed at 'em, It wou!
seemed that ridikerlous. But seein' thel
apple-blossoms has brought it all bac
mighty strong, and feel sorter draw
to you, Jack Dorset, seein' you wit
'em."
Jack felt almost as if he ought I
make some disclaimer; yet surely /
deserved some credit for turning frol
<.-t.t;o, Altar n few moments III