Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1898-09-17

OF his coat ana WalStcoat, where they
were ready for exhibition should he
wish to signal brother.
He no longer shook hands as before
he became a society mau. On being
introduced to stranger, he ran the
whole mystic gamut over his hand and
arm, till he struck the right key, and
found in the stranger brother whom
he at once proceeded to treat as if long
lost but ever loved.
All these societies made great de-
mands on Mr.. Crofutt's time and
means, and as soon as it became
known that he had liking for secret
societies, he was beset by the advo-
Gates of open organizations, and to
maintain his popularity, he was forced
to Join every one OF them.
SO, after n time, his Office and bed
room were covered with handsomely
framed certificates of membership,
many of them representing antagonis-
tic societies.
One Of them showed he was full
mcmber of "The jolly Larks," and
another that he was an honorary men,
ber of the "Anti-Liquor License
Brotherhood Another showed him
life member of Clusters Brass
Band" and beside it was q certificate
showing he had paid his annual dues
to ''The Malay Mission Fund"
Everything went we'll for awhile,
save an occasional jealousy on the part
of some society that thought Mr.. Gro
futt had not treated it rs literally as
he had some others not nearly SO de-
serving, and the fact that in the
speeches which he was often called on
to make he confused the audience and
himself by mixing up the Jolly Larks
and the Brass Band with the Malay
Mission and the Sunday school Union.
During all this time Mr.. Crofutt
tried to practice his profession, and
he hal more cases than formerly, but
they were not of satisfactory or q
paying kind. His clients were always
brothers, and as such he had often to
work for "the good of the ORDER" for
promissory fees, and oftener for moth
ing.
He might have borne oil this calm
ly, for he was man of great patience,
but, unfortunately, while aiding the
brother of one society on the one hand,
he found himself opposing the brother
of some other society on the other
hand. and so laying himself open, un-
der the rules OF the order, to the
charge of violating his obligation.
He had run nearly through with his
inheritance, and his professional bust
ness being sacrificed to his desire for
popularity, he was not making money.
But he was a cool, far-seeing man,
working out his career by rules he had
weighed and approved. The reward
would come for the waiting; he had
helped everybody, from what seemed
the most unselfish motives, and when
the proper time came he was sure
everybody would stand by him. He
not only felt this to be the case, but
he had been SO informed again and
again, by his brothers and fellow
members, oil Of whom seemed anxious
to show their appreciation of his ability
and devotion.
While Mr.. Van Buren Crofutt thus
sought the society of men, it must not
be supposed that he neglected the So
ciety of women; on the contrary, he
was great and respectful admirer OF
the fair sex. But he never allowed his
admiration to get the better of his
prudence.
At oil the dinners and banquets he
was chosen to respond to that very
charming and familiar toast. "The
women-God bless them!' and from
long practice he got to do it with i'm
mense credit to himself and great sat
isfaction OF his audiences.
If Mr.. Crofutt kept clear of the EN-.
tanglements of love, it must not be
supposed that he gave no thought to
the subject of marriage. 1t was, next
to popularity, the thought with which
he most busted his brain; and, as he
desired his popularity to give him
honors and office, he was anxious his
marriage should bring him wealth and
high social position. 1t was with this
feeling that lie sought every opportu.
nifty to meet beautiful Jennie Living
ston, the daughter Of the wealthy
Judge, who had declined foreign
mission, and who was spoken of for
the Supreme Bench.
The Livingstons were very aristo.
cratic. and this branch of the Crofutt
family had never been named for their
position. Miss Jennie, it is to be
feared, was a coquet, for she delighted
in being the recipient of attentions,
and more popular man than Mr.. Van
Buren, Crofutt might have been flat
tered by the encouragement she gave
him; an encouragement so marked
that Mr.. Crofutt's brothers and fell
low members began to joke him about
his approaching marriage. and the
gossips, who flourish so vigorously,
discussed the alliance with character.
istic freedom and sense of certainty.
About this time there was to be a
Congressional election in the district
where Mr.. Crofutt lived. He had
looked forward to this particular elec-
tion for years, and so expressed no
modest surprise when many of his
brothers and fellow.members assured
him he would get the nomination; and