Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-05-06

"D Z ~ Cd 5i Iy them N !.
sixteenth year.
But Dollie wasn't spoiled. 81
could make the best bread, and kee
house in general like nothing else bl
q witch, for the work seemed to |
done like magic That is because 81
was young, healthy and willing; fc
to keep house for so many men is IL
tribe. To-be-sure, Dollie needle
never to lift, fetch or carry while he
father or brothers were at home, fo
they loved the ground her feet tro
upon, and were ever ready to serv
her; but sometimes Dollie would b
all day alone in the old farm house
and it is of one OF these days that thi
story tells.
Tom, Dick and Harry had gone t,
market, which was trip of two days
Jack and Joe had gone to assist
neighboring farmer in press of work
and at nine o'clock in the forenoon
Dollie's good father, Mr.. Duran,
said:
"Dollie, Ned and | are goin' to til,
village to do some tradin' at the store
Shan't he back until after dinner, Sc
have an early supper, smokin' hot
for us, for we'll be hungry as sharks. )
"les, father, said Dollie, bringing
out twelve dozen Of pearly eggs in q
basket; Tor she knew her fathers
ways-ho always loaded up the wagon
with country produce, eggs, dried
apples, potatoes and other vegetables,
which he exchanged at the store for
sugar, tea, cloth, farming implements,
etc.
IL shan't take cent with me. for
fear shall be over-persuaded to buy
those pesky cattle of jim Green's"
said the farmer, coming in for his
coat. 81 know he's lynn in wait for
ne; he mostly is market days. I
don't want en-, and 1 won't have 'em
If they be cheap! But you know
there's money in the house, Dollie.
There's three hundred dollars, Mr..
Kent gave me for the south meadow
lot [ sold him yesterday, in the desk,
and there it must stay safe until I 90
to Peterborough to the bank. So
don't entertain no strangers or sus
ous-lookin people while I'm gone"
"No, father
II II leave Bose at home, and I'll
be home long before dark"
80 when he had drawn two pals of
water, and Ned had filled up the
wood-box for Dollie, they drove off, a
little pig, tied in the bottom of the
wagon, squealins Justify. Dollie
liked horses and cattle, hens aud
chickens, and pigeons, but she didn't
like pigs, so she didn't feel badly at
nil that this one was going off to be !
stuffed and roasted for somebody's
dinner. She had n baking to do and
piccalilla to make, and she set busily
about her task.
She vigorously rolled pie crust in
he hot kitchen. Her cheeks were
ike roses, aud her eyes as bright as
'n'y a smart, healthy girls can be.
She had on broad, white apron over
Ter neat print dress, the sleeves of
'hich were tucked up from her
aund, white arms. And not only did
he look pretty making them, but the
lies when done were absolute perfec-
ion.
Dollie ranged them in row, on one
Il the bnttery shelves, and left them
here, while she went out to give Bose
is dinner. With plate of savory
its which she had saved for him in
er hand, she sought his kennel in
he door-yard, but Bose was not there.
lie had done something he had never
eforc done in his life-broken his
ope and gone after the wagon to the
lllage. Dollie could see the marks of !,
is feet in the mud of the yard, and
ley led to the gate.
With wistful look down the road
Mt sudden, unpleasant feeling of
eing unprotected in that lonely I.
lace for the farmhouse was half q
lie from any other-Dollie went
ack into the kitchen. I
When she had taken q solitary >
nch of bread and milk at the kitchen =
Bile, she made nice tea cake for y
e evening meal, and then set about II
aking her fathers favorite relish, Il
ccalilli.
1t was five o'clock when Dolie had Ii
lished this last task, and had carried )
e jars down in the cellar. When she
me up man had entered the open -
tchen door, and was seated before VI
Q stove.
He was rough looking, and Dollie m
IS frightened; but she did not IL
ow it. g.
Whom do you wish to see?" she al
ied. IN
I'D like something to eat, if you pl
'ase," answered the man, in what Gu
$ evidently feigned voice. c.
But in spite of that and the muller .
ont his face, Dollie knew him. 1t -
$ Jim Green, the cattle dealer, and Sd
had very bad reputation. She .
d never seen him but once before in III
: life, but she remembered his leer u
| hooked nose. She had had him IL
nted out to her in the village, but &c
did not think he had ever seen
;. What did he want here when
father was away? ia
With no idea of the object of his te,
and, Dollie, however, cut one of ms
pumpkin pies and gave him lar
erous quarter, which he proceeded sh
'at as well as he could, without too tn,
'ly revealing his face. Dollie
'ed when he had finished it he
lid so away. but he did not. In tor
I'd Of that lie got up. walked into KIN