Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-09-12

5$$stSssSS,;s,. locks would never
sss:ssks Y atSy again enllven the
d,aplINtlRiiIaxStA street.
He had kept the curiosity shop for
about fifty years. The old spinning
wheels, sparrow-legged chairs, carved
oak bureaus, china, OF all sorts, wal
medals, watches, coins, ETC., would, nc
doubt, now go to the hammer. Mox
ford would miss the attractive window
of No. SO almost as much as the quaint
form of its late owner.
Peter Battersby and Mrs. Peter
were early on the scene, in decent
black.
They had extremely comfortable
expectations. To be sure, for the last
ten years they had not interchanged
many words with the late Carmel, who
was Peters only brother; but as Mrs.
Peter remarked when the news of her
brother.in.Iaw' death arrived, che
couldn't for shame leave his money to
any one else"
Young Walter Battersby, Mr.. and
Mrs. Peters only son, did not conceal
his Joy in his uncle's demise. He told
his boon companions at the Hen and
Chickens that he was in for a good
thing.
"Blood, you know, as the saying is,
is thicker than water" he said, as he
drained his fourth pint on the evening
of his avancular bereavement.
Nor was the three daughters of Mr..
and Mrs. Peter without discreet maid
emily elation. Their uncle, while he
lived, was such figure that they new
er called to look at him. Besides, he
hadn't very civil tongue; liked to be
cnustic about their high-heeled shoes
and extensive bonnets and hats, and
to be very rude with his inquiries why
three Mr.. Rights did not press for the
honor of their small gloved hands.
1t seemed unlikely indeed, that a
single tear would DO shed for the old
curiosity man.
OF course, there was his little ser.
want girl, Joan Smith. But she was
only ga workhouse hussy," to borrow
Mrs. Peters elegant expression.
With his usual eccentricity, old Car
mel had taken girl from the Moxford
Union after the death of his elderly
housekeeper, Mrs. Roberts. Joan was
that servant, and she had served him
truly for the last six years, being now
but twenty-five. A quiet, shrinking,
dark-eyed little creature, who had re-
vered her dead master quite unaccoun.
tably, and devoted herself to him heart
and hand and soul. Save for Seth
Perry, who worked for the Moxford
tin plate company. she had had no one
else to care for.
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter found No. SO
nicely prepared for the funeral. There
was also a rather clumsy wreath OF
wild hyacinths and buttercups on the
coffin.
"The idea of such thing as that p
exclaimed Mrs. Peter, touching the
wreath with the tip of her parasol.
Joan was near at the time. She burst
into tears at these words.
"Please, ma'am," she said. 81
should so like it to go with him. ]
picked them all myself"
cit shall do nothing OF the kind,
then; and your place is in the kitchen,
not in the parlor," retorted Mrs.
Peter.
Joan retired, crying bitterly; ant
Mrs. Peter flung the wreath into {
corner.
'"rhe hussy ought not to be allowed
to leave this house, Peter" she said
severely, without being searched.
The idea of her being with all these
vallybles-all alone. too"
But Peter was not as cruel as his
wife.
cameron says she is entirely to BIZ
trusted" he replied, ''and it's for hin
to act as he pleases, he says"
Mr.. Cameron was the Moxford law
yer who had charge of the old curios
ity mans affairs.
Two or three others now arrived
including the lawyer, Mr.. Hurst, tn.
Methodist New Connection minister
and old Craven, the silversmith.
Then the High street enjoyed it,
little sensation as the hearse and three
coaches solemnly passed along it tt
the cemetery on the hill.
Joan viewed the start from the bacl
entry with fearful eyes. She wa
periodically convulsed with sobs. Sh
watched the procession as long as eve
she could. The void in her life wa
immense.
So much so indeed, that even tn
soothing voice of Seth Perry, who hal
come upon her unawares, had no eli
feet on her at first.
"Never you mind, LASS" said Set
"things'll all come out right"
She answered him only with tears
"He's boun' to hs' left you summat
Joan, my lass, to remember him by
and. whether or no, you've only t.
speak the word. and theirs one as y
be proud to have you"
"Seth, l can't talk with you now,
she said, showing him her damp fac
and bright eyes.
"Nor come home and take your din
ner with my mother, Joan?"
"No, no. I mustn't 60 yet. They'll
turn me out soon, ! know; but I mus
stay till then"
"Well, lass, said Seth, "you know
best; but I'm fair aching for you, and
this night as is I'll fetch you to home.
He took her in his arms in the pas
sage, up which so many antique arti
Giles had travelled during the last hal
century, and kissed her wet checks.
"And now ! nun get back to work,
he said.
1t was hot day even for June, AM
when the funeral party re. entered the
house, Mrs. Peters face was extremely
red.
Here they were met by Walter Bat