Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-03-08

Ut. you CdHle 10 lil'
just five years ago to
day"
Yes" she assented scarcely look
ing up from her breakfast dishes; she
was II modest and unassuming woman
During these busy years have pa {
every dollar OF the $4,000 agreed to
and the farm is now mine
She smiled demurely upon me. but
made no comment so l continued:
"iou have been participant in al
the details Of my domestic life"
"Certainly, Mr.. BolngbrOke And
she turned curious gaze on me fol-
the first time.
l may as well be plain and say at
once that in the vernacular of the shire
where l lived. was an odd stick
However, had good habits, n good
farm, and friends sufficient.
II would like to take Il walk over the
farm, and be accompanied by you, 9th
er matters not Interfering" l said
"Other matters will not interfere,
she responded in her unobtrusive man
ner.
We We're soon on the way, and ]
| commented on all We saw
give hundred acres; $4,000. A thou
sand dollars for every 100 acres; and
Helenette the place Is nine
you have done remarkably well in
so short season. You deserve much
praise"
There on my left the everlasting
hills arise, their SUBMITS densely Gov
cred with oak, spruce, pine, and trees
Of lesser quality"
ayes. the timber alone is worth
$1,000"
mo doubt. Then there is the lux.
uriant meadow, the fertile fields, the
rowen-patch, a pasture sufficient fol
a large herd Of cattle. goodly flock
of sheep, a dozen horses, and two beau
tiful brooks cross and recross my fields
Surely there seems to be nothing lack.
ing"
tried to take note of her expression
as ended the last sentence; but hel
countenance did not change. She
seemed to be gazing off over the far
away hills. She said very pertinently
however:
And there Is the sugar orchard
That ought to net you $500 per year.
ut will"
l could not help noticing how very
practical she was in her observations
Your buildings are in good repair
your farm Is well stocked, you enjoy
the best Of health" went on Helenette
"Your earthly lot Is enviable. May
your prosperity ever continuew
l looked at her intently. But that
sweet face betrayed no emotion.
"You think the picture is complete?'
said.
Eyes, financially"
But money Is not everything There
is one lack. The earthly picture canno
be complete to me without it. Car
you guess what it is?'
mo"
81 want wifew
We both paused then, but her coun
tenance did not change.
"a wife?' she said in matter of fac
manner.
eyes"
"iou seem to be very happily stu
ated now; yet the right kind of a wife
would be useful addition to the farm
Yes, you should marry.
~ thank you. Helenettc. Your ad
vice has always been good. l shal
consider 1t carefully"
BY this time we had returned to the
house, and MS she walked in. leaving
me outside, thought, "When I tax,
my new wife, Heenette will be til,
best help for indoors I can secure.
From that moment l began payin.
more attention to dress than I hat
done, and with such success that con
graduated myself on my general i'm
provement. l never was rated mod
est man.
One day I dressed myself carefully
harnessed up my finest team and pre-
pared for journey. Helenette stood
Mt the door to see me Off.
"Helenette." said. I'm going (,
town. l may he gone n week I maj
ho vopa n month DurinV my ohcon a.