Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1895-10-12

lOrRolten. Inc halo OF romance
around his name wonld probably have
evaporated on the discovery being
made that the gallant Major wore
spectacles and was inclined to obesity,
but the returned hero did not give
London lion-hunters chance to
criticise his appearance. for he made
no stay in the metropolis, and in a
very short time the memory OF his
exploits passed from the public mind.
In the little Devonshire village
where he took up his abode the won.
der of his fame had longer life, for a
newly made celebrity is likely to
create considerable stir in a sleepy
spot, where the military element is
represented by solitary half-pay
Colonel who never saw battlefield.
To have been the subject of commenda.
ton in printed newspaper is an awe
inspiring circumstance in such n
neighborhood, and callers hocked to
Woodbower. They were bitterly dis.
appointed to find that Mrs Karslake
was an invalid and received no
visitors, while the claims OF courtesy
we're met by return OF pasteboards,
and the Major male no personal re-
spouse. All the more eagerly did
baflled curiosity welcome the next
Sunday, when orthodoxy required
the new comer's presence in church,
and Mr.. Merrick had au unusually
large congregation ut morning SER
vice. His daughter Violet, who
played the organ, was guiltily con
scious during the psalms that her at.
tention wandered from both duty and
devotion in an effort to descry the
occupant Of the Woodbower pew She
asked forgiveness in her simple
hearted prayer, and imposed upon
herself the penance of eyes fixed on
her music book as the congregation
dispersed.
"What did you think OF my new
parishioner" inquired the rector
after dinner.
81 did not see him, papa" Violet
blushed at the evasion, knowing her
thoughts had been occupied with the
new arrival during the patcrnal ser.
mon, which was not sufficiently strik.
ing to compel attention.
"Dear me, dear me! That shows
how much girls care for bravery, or
heroism, or anything serious. Now,
if his wife had been there in a smart
bonnet you would have noticed her,
I'll be bound, "and the rector chuckled
at his time.worn joke.
He was mistaken in his estimate Of
bis daughter. Violet was her o.wor.
shipper, and had thrilled to every line
of the curt war kilograms when she
read the newspaper to her father
Neither spectacles nor double chil
quenched her enthusiasm when she
Jaw at last tho man of whose doings
she had heard, while the tenderness Of
his nature seemed doubly sweet SCI
against background Of fame ant
courage. Mrs. Karslake was IN broker
health; her husband tended her with
extraordinary devotion, aided by ,
faithful maid. Mr.. Merrick was the
only visitor admitted to Woodbowcr
and the only house where the Maiol
WAS seen was the rectory,
| Beyond the respect paid by the
army to the church was the link OF
music; the sole regret that John Kars
lake ever felt for heloss of his sword
arm was when he looked at the cas-
containing his fayorite violin. never
more to sound and sing by him again
The rector played the cello wit!
grentcr feeling than execution, ant
Violet took fresh interest in practic
ing accomplishments, since thei
neighbor had begun to come in some
times for an hour in the evening Will
his wife was sleeping.
"lou bring great pleasure into
life Tint is ended, Miss Violet" Ii
would say, as the worn and trouble,
look which Lad passed into his fac
with the days exercise Of patiauc
and sympathy would melt into placi'
peace under the influence OF harmo
NOUS sound.
Don't spoil the child with fiat
terry" the rector generally added.
Mrs. Merrick had died at Violet
birth her father WAS kind and affet
tionate, but apart. The girl wa
solitary at heart, and lived more i
her thoughts and drsams than in he
deeds. Practical AID alert in dali
duties, not even the gossips OF Coomb
had ever called the reotor's daughte
romantic, yet the v'ry care she excl
= cised to avoid anv appearance Of sci
timent was dictated by the sacred
! ness in which she held her ideal
Naturally these tendencies seize
upon congenial food, and the revel
| and repard aha bastowad unon A mr.