Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1899-12-30

MAAzS6A never seen more del
SSES icate coloring, or
a. TNS finer expression, than
~ are displayed in that
one by Peale that I saw in your draw
ing room tonight
EYES," answered Mr.. Grey, looking
acr oss the table at his wife. eve are
all rather proud of that miniature;
but to use old Uncle Isaacs words,
Il don sot more store by it, even than
does Mrs. Grey"
81 am sure that you are eager to
tell its history. aud that you can do it
much better when l am absent; so
will leave you both to your cigars and
your narrative" declared Mrs. Grey,
rising from her seat.
Her husband smiled and opened the
door for her, saying
eve will soon join you, my dear;
but, like the Ancient Mariner, L must
tell my tale again to some one, even
if he is not the wedding guest. Now, "
said Mr. Grey, as he aud Mr.. Lcnnox
resumed their seats and lighted their
cigars, "you say that this miniature
is particularly fine as far rs the artis-
tic work goes. Does it suggest any
one TO you?"
cit is written on the face of it, :"
replied Mr.. Lennox. 1.-The likeness
to your wife is so pronounced that
even with the arrangement of hair it
would easily pass for her anywhere. {"
"True, I thought you would notice
it," answered the host, land for that,
and other reasons, the picture is very
dear to me-"
"Bnt tell me the story to which
Mrs. Grey referred just now, will you
not?"
. 81 should like to do so, provided
that, if L become prosy, you will at
once proceed to inform me OF the
fact"
"Trust me for that; and now"
"And now another question before
Regularly begin. What do you think
of Uncle Isaac, our faithful body
suard?"
"a most delightful relic of the past
"A dear old time colored man of ante
bellum days, should say, and near
ly as old as the miniature.
81 sometimes think so myself.
Well, old Isaac was the first acquaint-
ance that 1 made in my wife's family
and, indeed, were it not for HIM,
there is little chance that should be
now in my present position, living in
Baltimore, and married, if may be
allowed to express the opinion, to the
oveliest woman in the world"
Mr.. Lennox smiled and bowed.
"That goes without saying"
"My first visit to this City of Monu-
ments, as the guide book says, was
Just three years ago this very day.
Indeed, it is double anniversary, a
triple one might add, for it is three
years since l was introduced to Mrs.
Grey, and one year since our wedding.
Pardon my depression, but as you
have been abroad, you may not be
posted in regard to these, to me, i'm
portant facts"
IT am more than interested now
Please go on"
"I camo to Baltimore, then, three
years ago to-day, and arrived at Cal
vert Station about eight in the morn
ing of IN ideal winter day. 1t was
clear and cold and bright, so decided
to walk to the hotel where intended
to put up for short time. AT n
rather old.fashioned house I saw,
standing on the steps. an aged colored
man. old Isaac, as he proved to be.
=" 'Mornin', sab. he said.
81 was struck by his courtly man
ner and stopped to look at the old fell
low.
'Mornin', sab, lie repeated.
"..'Good morning. replied.
Tank you kindly, massa. Won't
ye come in de house for brief mo-
ment?'
Not now,' T answered. Il am in
hurry
Jes' one leetle minute, dear sab.
Do come in.
Anything specialt' 1 asked, with
the wholesale suspicion of a traveller.
" Yes, sab, mighty special. Please
como in.
$50 urged, I followed him at last,
reluctantly, through spacious hall
and into an old-fashioned drawing
room.
'Sah,' said he earnestly, 'you
know We colored pussons is powerful
superstitious like, an dc old sayin' is
if dat on New Years mornin' de fust
one We speaks to is a stranger, an
he, dat stranger, wishes us good luck /,
it am mighty sure to come true. You,
sab, is de fust one Use spoken to, an
i done stan on de door steps sence
seven o'clock. 1 see directly you
canned along dat You was fust class,
an stranger as well, an I SEES to
myself, Now, Unc' Isaac, heah's your
chance
II was amazed at his request, but
the very simplicity of his manner car
ried weight with it, and L answ cred.
heartily
g L do indeed wish you good luck
Uncle Isaac
"'T'suk you, sab, but not me, lie
poo ole durkey. but my own dear ole
mis- an young Miss Ey'lyn; dc Lord
knows dey IS IN mighty need Of good
wishes now and the poor old man
gave heavy sigh.
"Once again declared, and per-
haps with shade more fervor, for I
was pleased with his appearance,