Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-10-14

~ ~S mood. 1t seemed to her
that she had always been
kEAIzI considered old. She
lS5A SllD wished that people could
realize how glrlish she was ut heart,
despite her fifty years and the gray
hairs that clustered round her fore
head.
Married at seventeen, Mrs. HOyt
had been mother before she was
twenty and n grandmother before she
was forty. Now she was visiting her
son, and was secretly annoyed ut the
respectful consideration showed her
by all the family.
Her daughter-in-law treated her as IL
she were seventy; the children were
never allowed to play with her long,
lest she weary of their lively antics.
This morning young Mrs. Hoyt had
been summoned to neighbours bed
side, and had left Eleanor with strict
injunctions to be very good to grand
It'll and very quiet, 1t was compare
lively easy to obey the first order, but
how was such brlght-ayed tombOy
as fOurteen-year-Old Eleanor to carry
out the second?
Quiet? Quiet, when tho ice oil the
pond was like glass, and this was prob
ably the last skating of the season?
or course it was lovely TO have grand
ma visit them, but how pleasant it
would have been had she waited until
spring!
Eleanor flushed at the inhospltality
distracted by knock at the door. In
came Clara Roe, with glowing cheeks
and sparkling eyes.
80 Eleanor, put OH your things right
awayp she cried. "The skating is the
best we have had. every one else ia
there"
81 know" said Eleanor, her lip
trembling little, "but- but mother
has gone away, and have to stay with
grandma"
"Ohp Clara's BRIGHT face clouded nt
The thoughts of her friends disappoint-
ment, then cleared as she said, "But
why not take your grandmother, too"
"Take grandma echoed Eleanor, as
If Clara had proposed to take the
house and barn.
Certainly" said Clara, in her posi-
tive manner. 81 believe she'd like it..
She looks as if she could have rs much
fun as any of us, II she only had IL
chance"
Eleanor made 10 reply, and after q
moments hesitation Clara said, "Any-
way, Pm going to ask her"
She marched straight into the sit
ting-room where grandma sat with her
knitting looking out at the bright sun
shine. Mrs. Hoyt looked up with q
welcoming smile; she and Clara had
been friends since their first meeting.
"Mrs. Hoyt," said Clara, putting Il
persuasive arm about grandma's
neck, don't you want to so skating
with usW
Down went the knitting, up went
Mrs. Hoyt's eyebrows. Skating! A
grandmother skate!
"The Ice is like glass;" Clara contin.
ued, eagerly, ~. d it may not last an
other day. We have an extra pair Of
skates, aid I'll run home for them
while you and Eleanor get ready.
You'll come, won't your
The fresh young voice had carried
grandma Dacl: to the happy days
when she had fitted over the ice,
avowedly the best skater in the little
town. Bot that was long ago; she
would not know how to stand OH thc
ice now, much less skim over 1t. She
stihed the longing to try her skill
once more, and shook her head.
"You are very kind to invite me-" she
said, land appreciate = very much
indeed, but fear that my skating
days are over"
Clara was not q girl to be easily
thwarted; besides, she had seen the
first look of yielding in grandma
eyes.
"0f course you could not skate In
that long skirt" she said, thoughtfully
II have one that's just the right
length for her." Eleanor interrupted,
eagerly. "You see, Pm quite us tail as
grandma"
My scarlet cveater would be just
the thing for her," added Clara, "and
I'll bring t with the skates"
Grandma flushed again. She had
worn a red jacket the night that John
how long ago it seemed!
"Then I'll go for the SKI ties and
sweater" said Clara, decisively, while
you get your own things ready" She
was out of the door before Mrs. Hoyt
could utter word of protest Then
the humor OF TIL situation struck
grandma, and throwing back her
head, she laughed till she cried. A
grandmother go skating!
But when Eleanor came dancing in
with navy blue skirt, confident that
th' matter was quite settled, Mrs.
! Hoyt hesitated moment. She glanced
at her trim. almost girllsh figure, at
her pretty little foot and ankle. and
yielded. 1t was a ridiculous thing TO do
of course, but she need not try to skate.
she could stay cn the bank aud watch
tie children. There was no reason
why she should spoil Eleanor's pleas
IRE by staying ut home; she we'll knew
that the child was too obedlent and
too hospltable 10 20 away and leave
her home.
A few minutes later radiant little
hgure stood in the slttIng-room.
laughing at the girls surprise at her
transformation. The dark blue skirt
hung in graceful folCs almost to her
ankles; the scarlet sweater, with a
tam-o,shanter to match set or her