Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-06-27

good soul. jest TO think! Maria
amt more'n IS, if she's that, and TO
think she's come to thisi"
Maria worked industriously. Be-
fore the afternoon had gone, several
handsome, old-fashioned pieces had
received shining coats of varnish, and
CLEANED anew with restored beauty.
Loretta Wilkinson arrived bright
and early on the eventful day, and il
she noticed the closed-up appearance
of certain portions of the house, she
said nothing, but had her thoughts.
why, Maria, where'd you git that
stove?' said she, as she caught sight
of peculiar object in the wood-shed.
THAT amt never your show-off par
lor stove, is it?"
Eyes, Loretty, it is" answered Ma
ria. 1--WE got one in there. you know,
and this one amt nothin' but a relic,
you might say. I'm most in hopes
nobody'll buy it, for that's the one
thing | can't bear to part with; but
l amt thinkin' bout it any more'n
can help"
It was a curious article. On top
was a mirror mounted like any chif-
fonier mirror, and at each side was
blue glass vase.
Them held grasses most of the
time" explained Maria, "and how
many times I've seen pa himself in
front of that glass, with his Shawn
cup set there TO keep warm on the
edo n,t4 tb,+ moe sf,,, -. III al,
stove in the parlor; after the stove
was moved in the parlor we kept a
fire in it only on some occasions, and
ma used TO joke me about my sparks;
but faint a subject I can talk about
10 nobody"
eyes, I know" said Loretta, you
was tbinkn' bout jed. If / was you,
1 wouldn't sell fl 'thout I'd got to-"
Maybe I can't let il 60, Loretta,
but Wen see Therel There's some
folks come already, and Abe Fishers
.leadin' the way TO the barns
The day was clear and cold. No
tees of the auction had been circu-
lated far and wide, end many farmers
and their wives had driven in from
the surrounding towns, bent on pro-
curing something from the squire's
place. The kitchen and sitting-room
were well filed during the greater
part of the day, and the steaming
coffee and the new doughnuts found
ready consumers. Curiosity had
brought many, not only to the
grounds, but into the house itself,
for the reputation of the squire's pos
sessions had led many to see for
themselves if the house was stripped
from cellar to garnet, or whether. as
some affirmed, Miss Maria had loads
of much better stuff she wouldn't |
think Of selling The closed doors |
quenched the ardor of those intend |
ing a general survey Of the house. but |
the fact that the coffee was served |
in Mrs. Fairchild's best old-fashioned |
spriggled china cups, conveyed the |
idea that there must be lots Of val
liable articles retained by the pres
ent owner.
The afternoon was half gone, and |
most Of the things were sold. Dishes, |
substantial milk-cans bearing the
squire's name. sleighs, carriages and |
many articles besides the farm tools |
and the furniture had been purchased. |
and yet the stove remained in its |
corner of the woodshed Maria saw |
il as she passed through on errauds. |
and thought she would say nothing
about it if Abe Fisher did not see il.
She had finally decided she could not
let il 60.
A little later, as she was getting a
cup of coffee for neighbor, her
glance fell on the group outside the
window, and She saw with dismay
her stove dragged up for display.
With cry, she darted through the
door and up to the auctioneer.
"Oh, don't sell that, Abe; I can't
let it go! It's jest the only part Of
my life I can't get away from. You
mustn't put it up!"
Its on the list, Maria" said Abe,
"and it'll sell all right"
u know it, Abe. but it's like sellin'
part of me. It is part of me, you
know" she cried, wildly. "Oh, no. If
you sell that, 60 with it,"
''Then I'll bid my hull stock of
worldly goods for ill., said loud
voice, and elbowing his way through
the crowd, stranger took Maria
Fairchild in his arms.
Its Jed Tompkins!" gasped the
members of the group.
Eyes, sir" laughed Jed, "and he's
here Jest in time to buy up the most
valuable thing in the lot. And see
here you folks, anythin' Maria wants
back, I'll buy from you, fer my
moneys hers and she's got a fortune
of her own, too. / NAV as wall saw.
to cut matters short, that her father
made over his property TO
me. some years ago, on condition
that I'd keep away and not marry
Maria till he was dead, as he couldn't
spare her. I've only jest heard of his
death, bein' on a long trip out west.
and catchin' wind of this auction.