Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-08-11
Observation-Disclosures

lngnrsS 10 hrip you, II only you would
lot me-" said Charlie. but since you
won't. don't look so sad and worried,
my darling. It's worth serving and
saving for seven years If can only
win you at last for my wife,
"Oh, Charlie" she said, brokenly,
your love is priceless. Only be pa,
ticnl.'
I'm try and keep on hoping" lie
said. and they parted at the store.
The grocer met her with n smile.
Everybody liked Susy. No girl mere
genial than she under ordinary cir
cumStanccs, but to-day her face was
clouded, her manner preoccup!ed.
MIR. Lee. I've made up my mind to
ting the things she needed. "Do you
know anybody that wants a horsc?"
Dear me. Going to sell Brown Bcss.
Well. l was thinking OF buying n
horse for my Alice. Is she safe for n
girl of ten, do you think" the grocer
asked
Susy grew pale. She had not an
ticipated question Of that sort, but
she answered after moments indie
cisiOn.
she is fond of taking her own
head sometimes. No, Mr.. Lee, If l
find 1t hard to manage her she would
never do for your little girl
"Ah. I'm sorry for that. Miss Susy,"
said the storekcepcr. But know n
man who wants q spirited horse.
What would you sell her for!'
Il leave that to the purchaser" Susy
made answer. Papa paid $50 for
her more than year ago, and l
wouldn't want to take less than that,
for l need the money very much"
she went on, land if you will be so
kind as to take an interest in the mat
tel" She stopped, her eyes visit
full.
why, of course 1 WILL" the grocer
responded. I'll send my boy to your
house with the groceries. and he can
bring the horse back with him. If
anything is done in the way Of sale
I'll let you know at once"
Susy thanked him and went on her
way home. AS she came in sight of
the house, N old-fashioncd, two-stOry
building, where dilapidation was rem
dcrcd picturesque by Il profuse growth
of ivy that covered the front porch
and much Of the exterior walls, she
felt more comfortable as she thought
over her prospects. In imagination
she had her mother quite rcconciled
to all her plans, her school life as
sured, and all things going on swim
mingly. For who knew but Brown
Bcss might bring her $780, she was so
spirited and handsome?
Work and home seemed brighter.
The groccr's boy came for the horse,
and though 1t was hard parting with
the pretty creature, Susy, in eXpecta-
ton of results. bore the separation
bravcly.
Cart we take little Of the money
you get to shinglc the roOf?" her
mother asked as the horse was led
away.
Il hope So" Susy replied, blithcly.
"And you still think of going to
school. Amt you too old:"
I'm not eighteen yet" was Susy's
answer. "Many girls go to school till
they are twenty"
And there's clothes to think of,
dresses and bonnets and Shoes"
"Oh, they'll be provided Susy said,
with n little laugh.
"An' winters comin'-an' it's two
or three miles to the 'cadomy," her
mother went on, each time throwing
Il more plaintivc cadence into her
voice. Toms clothes are terrible
patched, an mother needs flannels. !
amt so young as l was once, but l
amt sayin' anything about myself,
only it's kind O hard to spare YOU"
and the lines in her mothers weak
face dcepened
Mother, wish you could see it rs
do. l mustgO to the academy" ASusy
made reply. 'ft's the opportunity of
my life. But l tell you what l will
do. If get hundred dollars for
Brown Bess I'll divide even. Fifty
dollars would go long way, wouldn't
IL"
"Wcll, yes, fifty dollars would get
everything we nccA," was the reply.
But you're never Goln' to get hun
Cred dollars. You'll he more than
lucky II you got fifty"
well. mother" said Susy, desper-
atcly, "if I only get fifty III divide
even. 1t will be thirty dollars coming
in every month IL ] only get the
school,"
II don't see there's any chance of
that" said her mother, with woc-be-
gone face.
Day after day Susy waited, but no
word came about Brown Bcss. Tom
declared that lie believed there was
no prospect Of selling her, but one day
Charlie Grant drove up - the house,
his face fairly beaming.
II thought I'd bring you the news"
he said, as he came in the bright liv-
inG-room.
Have they sold Brown BcssT Susy
asked, her voice trembling in her eX-
element to hcal.
"Wcll, ycs-that is, if you'll take the
price thoy OFFER Charlie made an
swcr.
ooh, hope it's hundred" said
Susy.
"A hund"CL." laughed Charlie. as
that what you valued her at? Lucky
for yoC that ! was In at the bargain.
That horse will he worth thousands
OF dollars before long. The man who
bought her trains horses for the trot-
ting course. lie has discovered re-
markable qualities in Brown Bess rs
a trotttcr, and is willing to give you
n thousand dollars for her"
A thousand dollars. Susy stood for
n moment like statue; then she flew
into the kitchen, where her mother
was making the daily batch Of bread,
eXclaining:
"a thousand dollars, mother! we're
rich' Brown Bess is sold for thou.
sand dollars. iou won't have to work
hard this winter. Tom can get two