Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-12
DAMS COURTSHIP.

The apple crop had failed the fall before,
and therefore money was short at Orchard
Farm. This was the more uncomfortable
because of the recent purchase of old Silas
Morrowbrook's west pasture, which adj
Joined Abner's wood lot, and which he
had long coveted. Most of the price he had
been able to pay cash down. The rest re-
manned on mortgage until the apples
should be sold. The sudden and severe
frost interfered with this arrangement,
ruined the fruit and left a social anomaly
in Windlcy annals, Kccne in debt. OF
course as Silas said they were good"
for the money many times over Orchard
Farm was one of the prctticst bits of prop
erty in the country. But the obligation
weighed on their sensitive honor and final
ly stung Mrs. Miranda Kcenc into heroic
action.
There were only three Of thcm-father,
mother and son. The last, Danforth, was
a bright, sturdy lad with handsome head,
topped with yellow curls, and eyes as blue
as his grandmothcr's best tea set. He
could lift his gentle little mother to the
ceiling without taxing his mighty muscles.
He had even attempted to lift the Old gray
horse much to that good animals dismay.
Life had been joyous, boisterOus affair
for Dan. Books bothered him little. He
looked them over graspcd what ideas were
in them without effort and then turned a
! double somcrsault.
The farmhouse stood near the gate be-
hind a group of pine trees. Miranda kept
it as fresh and neat as one of her gcranium
| blossoms. There was big bow window
! full of plants in the sitting room and Il
piano standing near. Up stairs the beds
were massive and snowy, and the carved
posts shone with the polish of generations.
| Next to Danforth her house was Miranda's
idol. She was slight, delicate little
woman, with face that like faded rose
| leaf, never lost its suggestion of girlish
| bloom. intellectually she was far ahead
of her husband, whom she usually regard
ed as an older boy than Dan, but even
more in need OF care and guidance.
She announced her plan to raise the
| mortgage one spring morning at the break
fast table. eve could advertise for some
city people for the summer. We have
boarded the teachers before, and there's
| plenty of room in the house. l can get
Marietta Hodges to help with the cooking
l dare say we could make $500 out Of it.
Abner objected He didn't want his
wife working to support him, and it was
nuisance to have strangers bothering
around. Dan, on the contrary, thought
the plan promised amusement, and he and
his mother carried the day, rs usual.
They advertised in a metropolitan paper
and received several answers. One was
| from young lady who desired rest and
quiet. She was not well and had been
Overworkcd Miranda liked the note.
Schoolteacher, of course" she thought
and prepared her favorito room for tho
weary one. Miranda had a special weak
ness for schooltcachers. She would have
been one herself if she hadn't married
! She thought it the only ladylike employ.
mont for woman. "Mirabel Hcathcote"
was the signature of the note, and it SEEM
ed very musical to Miranda There were
also a clergyman's family coming and two
widows. Miranda's venture promised well
financially.
Miss Heathcote was very much as Mi
randa had fancied her-slight and grace
| full, with large dark eyes and hair that
shone in satiny bands above her broad, fair
brow. She kept great deal to herself at
first. Miranda was too busy to talk with
her, aTd she did not fratcrnize with the
minister's family or the widows Dan saw
her swinging in her hammock as he drove
past on his errands into town. One day
he called out to her to come with him.
She accepted listlessly but looked in dis
may at the high wagon into which she
must climb. In trice Dan lifted her over
the wheel as if she were thistle down.
ooh, myP' she exclaimed, turning about
to look at him. THAT'S about as good as
Sandow can dop'
ooh, that's nothinp' declared Dan,
whose weak point was, paradoxically, his
strength. why, can lift our old horse"
"Did you ever see SandowY" asked Mir
| abel.
"No; who is he?"
"Why, he's the strongest man in the
world, you know. He travels around and
shows what he can do in the theaters."
II amt never been in a theayter, " ar
swered Dan soberly "Mother never liked
the idea Of 'em. I'd like to sec the man,
though, that can lift moro than I can.
There want boy at school that could be-
gin with me-
Mirabel interrupted him. "Why doesn't
your mother like the theaters?"
Dan tossed back his curly head and
blushed. "Why, she thinks they're bad,
and the actin folks are a hard lot" he ex-
planned awkwardly.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt you just to look
at Them remarked Mirabel, frowning
somewhat. Dan thought how very pretty
she was.
II don't know much about it myself"
he answered, "bUt it does seem kinder
bold, the things they say they d. ia