Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-08-10
NO. 1908.
How It Drew a Great Prize in
Loves Lottery.

II hardly think, Ezra, that sh,
would suit thee for WIFE
Friend Mary Minton stood at til,
kitchen table kneading the bread,
snowy cap surrounding her sweet ole
face like sort of working-day halo, I
white apron tied around her ample
waist. At sixty her color was as fresl
rs that of giel, her eyes blue as the
blue heavens above
Ezra, her adopted son-Friend Min
ton and his wife had been childless-
had just brought in basket of russet
apples, the very last in the corner bin
Of the barn cellar He leaned against
the kitchen window, playing nervously
with the big, vclvety leaves of the
monster fish geranium that blossomed
there. He was a tall, manipulating
young fellow, with clear brown eyes, a
fresh complexion, and hair that grew
in a curly mat all over his head.
Friend Mary's glance softened as she
looked at him. 1t was evident that he
was the very apple of her eye.
why not, mother?" said he. Il
know the village gossips don't like the
Calverly family; but you're not one of
the gossiping kind"
''She's very young, Ezra, meditative-
ly answered Friend Mary, land very
pretty"
"Ohl if you call those crimes"
"Wait a minute. Ezra, thee has not
heard ME out. l regret deeply that in
stead of going to live with Friend War
burton, the minister's wife, she has
preferred to enter the factory where
there are SO many giddy girls and care
less young men"
But the pay was so much better,
mother"
"Man doth not live by bread alone"
oracularly answered Friend Mary.
"Thee has been carefully brought up,
Ezra. Thee must consider what is right
and seemly in the way of matrimony.
Thy father and l would break our
hearts if thee went wrong after all our
hopes and prayers"
81 trust that shall never do that,
mother"
but thee must remember, Ezra,
erts over the hus band"
Mother, are you very much set
against Evelinc Calverly?"
Friend Mary hesitated for a moment.
Il think it would break my heart,
Ezra, she answered, IF thee were to
wed with a daughter of Heth, like
Eveline"
Then that settles the question, said
Ezra, quickly "You have done every
thing for me, mother. l was house
less, homeless. friendless, when you
took me in and cared for me, and
would be an migrate, indeed, to turn
against your wishes now. But
mother, let me go away for awhile.
Let me go to Uncle Aaron, out in Mon
tana, uutil-until | get over this"
Friend Mary lifted her tender blue
eyes with plying light to his face.
rs it so hard with thee as that, my
SON. said she. ''Oh, am sorryl III
could almost find it in my heart
although" he interrupted. with
forced laugh, I'm not by any means
so certain that Eveline would have me,
even if | asked her. Gerard Winthrop
is going there a good deal of late
YES" quietly spoke Friend Mary,
who by this time had patted her white,
firm loaves into shape in their shining
oblong pans, all ready for the oven,
land that is one thing / do not like.
He is interested. they tell me, in
great lottery scheme; he is the agent of
a company down south. The factory
young people have bought tickets.
Eveline among the rest
"Mother, can hardly believe that.
1.-THE superintendent himself told
me, Ezra, said Friend Mary. closing
the open door with gentle click. He
exceedingly that Winthrop
had gained such footing there. Yes,
my son, perhaps thee had better go to
Brother Aaron for few months. Thee
needs change"
So Ezra Minton decided to take the
step that seemed like wrenching soul
and body apart. Friend Mary counted
put his socks, saw to the buttons on his
shirts, refined the little leather trunk
with pretty paper and shed a few tears
into the neat box of handlScrchiefs as
;he packed them away.
"If Montana were not such dis
.anee of. she sighed to herself, 'or
( he could go any other way except by |
hose dreadful flying trainsl Thank |
/ never was on one, and. |
please Heaven. / never will be- To me |
I seems little short Of tempting of /
She sat sorrowfully in the chimney |
corner Oh the evening Of Ezra's depart
ire. pairing the russell apples to make a !
lish of apple sauce. How loudly the
Kitchen clock licked How lonely the 4
rreat silent room seemed,
Il think did right, she said to her
elf. 'and vet"
Hushl There was lSnocs at the
loor The minister's wife. perhaps, or
lane. Golbe. the carpet-weaver. who
ived nader the mountain, come to Dor
'ow the dve-kcttle
Come in. friend. whoever thee may