Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-10-19

the matter. 1t was not until he had
washed his hands and face on the back
kitchen porch and entered the room
where his wife was taking up the
breakfast, that he said:
"Pears like it might rain"
"That is what you always say if
there's cloud in the sky" Mrs. Bus
by said tartly; "Ill thank you to lift
that boiler on, just the same"
"Goen to wash? It's most certain
to rain"
"Let it rain. l haven't any patience
with such weather." and Mrs. Busby
rushed down cellar after pitcher OF
cream.
Her husband never hurried. He
put the boiler carefully on the stove,
built up a good fire, and, in obedi-
ence to gesture from his wife, took
his place at the table.
Mr.. Busby always thought before
he spoke. This time, after brief but
earnest blessing, he devoted himself
to ham, eggs and potatoes for five
minutes before saying in his usual
drawing voice:
"That was a powerful sermon of the
elder Yesterday, Mirandy. ] always
thought that text about Ephraim been
jined to his idols might apply to some
of us. Most everybody has idols OF
some sort or other"
Mrs. Busby stirred her golden
brown coffee reaectively. Perhaps
so. l hope the people who needs it
took Mr.. Ranton's fine application.
As for me | once had an idol, but God
took it,"
There was pause. The thoughts
of both husband and wife travelled to
the parlot where hung the picture of
a child, wee maiden with laughing
blue eyes and dimpled arms. 1t was
the picture of little Leah, their only
child, whose death twenty years be.
fore had left the old farm home desc.
late.
Mr.. Busby's heart was too deeply
stirred by memories Of his child to
speak. But when dash Of rain came
against the window pane his wife ex-
claimed Grossly:
"There, it's raining. And if I don't
wash Monday, nothing goes right all
the week."
"Taint an idol, is it, Mirandy?"
The good mau of the house pushed
back from the table. "Now, it don't
seem Jest right to be SO sot as you dir
on dozen your work exactly as you
want to. 1t pears to me it might be
an idol"
"What IN idea Just look there,
Joseph. See that dirty spot on the
tablecloth where you've rubbed your
old coat sleeve. This tablecloth was
clean yesterday morning and now it
must 90 in the wash, making three
this week. ] do wish you would be
more careful"
"Wby, now, Mirandy, do try to
be careful. l wish you would use col
ored tablecloths. 1 thought you
bought some turkey red ones"
eyes, 1 did buy Them" and look
of disgust crossed the face opposite Mr..
Busby. ''But l want it understood l
am not going to use 'em. I will work
my fingers to the bone before I'll set
my table with anything but white
cloth" and she stroked the glossy linen
approvingly.
81 know, Mirandy, but maybe that's
another idol. You see, you think a
sight of such things"
"Now, Joseph Busby, if you are
going to talk such nonsense as that,
you better get to work. Just see there,
the sun is shining. So you see it was
right for me to wash after all"
Maybe so,' and the eyes of the
supplemented man sottens as he
looked through the east window at the
sun-kissed young foliage from which
the rain drops were yet falling. "May-
be so, Mirandy. You air M uncom.
mon woman and have been o good
wife to me for twenty-seven years.
You hain:t got mauyEihols, Mirandy,
not half as many as 4 have. But this
always thinker your sssia. hest"
"See here, Joseph Busby," there
was an undertone of almost ferceness
in her voice. 81 think such twisting
OF the Scriptures is; sinful. = If have
idols, can tend .toS'ep, that's ALL,
aud Mrs. Busby strobe into her led,
room and shut the door violently.
When she returned to the kitchen
she was in possession of the field.
Joseph had gone to his work,
"High time" she shifted; "idolo,
indeedw
She put her clothes to soak, and
carrying her dishes into the pantry
began washing them. Her thoughts
we're not pleasant ones the frown on
her face told that. The window be.
fore which che stood was covered with
thick growth of morning glory vines.
A few of the daintily twisted buds,
unheeding the threatenings of storm,
had opened their pink, blue and white
cups and peered in at the flushed face
of the worker. But Mrs. Busby was
too busy, too disturbed by her hua.
bands words, to notice their beauty.
"a don't see what possessed Joseph
to say that" she said, as she began
rubbing her clothes. 81 gave up the
only idol ever had twenty years ago.
L"
She stopped abruptly.
"Of course, it's that letter. she
went on, after brief pause. "Bu,