Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-10-05
Marriage: A Lottery !
BY Frank Brandram
q gorge WoopRuFF was

4 III That is somewhat of a slang term
TO apply TO a man; but there is nc
other one word that viii quite so ade-
quately characterize him.
He was what IS known as easy go
ing;" easy, likewise, in his manners
and address; easy Of handling by those
requiring a favor of any kind.
He was not a fool by any means. His
naturally acute mentality had been
disciplined and strengthened by lib
eral education; and, however easy he
might be in a general way, he had been
| known, on some rare occasions, to in
dulge a noble rage al something par
ueularly mean or vile.
Ii was this philosophical tempera-
ment, added to his good looks, and plus,
! perhaps, his independence Of toll, that
caused him TO be the most popular
young man in Danville.
Danville was not very populous; and
there were none too many eligible
young men for the unusually large per
centage Of amiable, pretty and talent
ed maidens, who made the social life Of
that fair city particularly seductive TO
the stranger within her gates.
Perhaps, therefore, il is hardly to be
wondered at If the usual relations be-
tween the sexes were in a measure re-
versed, and Woodruff. instead Of court
ing. found himself coured-by the
young ladies Of Danville.
Devoid Of egotism or vanity, it must
be admitted that Woodruff, neverthe-
less. wac somewhat Of a iiirt. Yet his
flirting was Of that harmless character
which springs from sheer good humor
from the desire TO please and TO be
pleased-from the unalloyed delight
which the masculine nature, when re-
fined, finds in the society Of the finer
sex.
But for all his innocence of intention,
there was more than one maiden In
Danyille who. in her own secret heart.
thought that George Woodruff had
treated her shamefully"-simply be
cause he had not married herl
One fine morning the femininity Of
Danville was set all in hutter.
What do you think" said Miss Dolly
DENLY, who was making a morning call
on Miss Jennie Judson-and 20 min
ltes after Miss Jennie Judson apostro-
phised her dearest friend Allie Allison
in the same formula; and so IT went
round: Whatever In the world do you
think? George Woodruff is going TO
ratiie himself OIL"
''To-whati"
"Yesl Actually Rafils himself"
"But what for? For a season."
MOTOR the church
But is II 10 be some girls beau for
the season.
"No; you don't understand. Wits
per"
The strange. momentouS secret was
whispered and Miss Judson's only |
was contained in the ques-
ton:
who Is selling the tieketS?"
Miss DENLY was unable 20 vouchsafe |
information upon this important de-
tail. and hurried of in order 10 convey
the news to as many more Of her friends |
as possible.
Before sunset that day every unmar-
ried maiden in Dauville under the age
% 80 was In a state II nervous excite
ment. produced by protraeted and COM
pick calculations OF her mathematical
OF success in the fateful
game Of draw impending.
Miss Matilda Murchison. who hid
seea 40 summers II she had seen a sun
SET. became 50 interested in the pros
pective race that she paid a visit TO her
'ather's lawyer, and asked him. ION be-
ha,f OF a young friend OF hers" II win
Ter in . case like this could insist upor
he delivery of the prize; or. failing
hat, recover damages for breach ofthe
contract implied. On behalf OF her
roung friend she appeared TO take Il
7ery much to heart when the old man
u the law replied. CURLY;
Madame. all lotteries are illegal"
Well. about the lottery iisef II all
anne about In this way;
The Church Of ST. stephen had been
or a very long time badly in need Of
and repairs. II was an old
Of the oldest in the state:
Is seating accommodation was Of az
type, alike unsightly and
uncomfortable; the old gallery, run
ling around three sides Of the interior,
vas likewise an eyesore; IL was never
coupled. and Il cried aloud for re
iovai: the communion table was rick.
ty; the pulpit steps ereaked, the read
ng desk reeled and tottered al a touch
Z the hand; the heating apparatus was
gorn out; the chimes no longer ehimed.
Or the bells were cracked; the organ 9
rheezed and hiccoughed in a manner .
TO such a place; and bats
nd owls held revels In these sacred {
recinctS
This shocking state Of Affairs was not
ne TO any poverty in the congrega- !
on. nor 90 any uuwillingness on their
art TO contribute. each according 70 /
is means. 20 the rehabilitation Of the {
ouse Of prayer; nor yet, again. was Il Q
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