Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-08-18
ALI Wrong.
BY Clara Augusta.
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men of Hannah.
Last summer q friend of mine, en-
thuslastic, and just out of college,
went to Laneville to rusticate, and
visit a bachelor uncle. He came home
In raptures with Laneville, but more
particularly in raptures with one Bes-
sic Blake, a resident of that frtu-
nate town.
My mother, being of an inquiring
disposition. questioned young Gurley
in regard to this particular Bessie,
and learned that she was the daugh-
ter of Moses Blake, ard Moses
| Blake's wife was a third cousin to
my mothers uncle's who's brother
in-law. So we were quite closely re-
lated. My mother had once known
Mrs. Blake, and Moses was a man OF
wealth, Bessie was his daughter.
Here was IN Opening!
My mother ought to have been a
president, or prime minister, she
was such n sharp one at planning,
and before mrny days she had decid-
ed that | was out of health, and need
ed country air. She wrote an affec-
tionate letter to Mrs. Blake, stating
the affecting circumstances, dwelling
on her anxiety for her only son, and
asking that early friend If she would
not receive the invalid into her fam
lily for few weeks.
In due time letter arrived, say
Ing that l should be welcome to the
domicile OF. the Blakes.
"Deary mel" said my mother, ad-
listing her spectacles to get more
accurate view, ut seems to me that
Betsey Ann Blake has neglected her
spelling dreadfully. Why, scarcely a
single wor' is correctly spelled, and
Betsey Ann used to be a good schol-
arr"
1t was decided on the spot that l
should go to GAINESVILLE and recuper-
ate.
My wardrobe was soon put in
order, and l set forth for the home
OF Bessie Blake.
BE very careful, Philip" said my
mother, at parting, "and keep on the
right side of old Mr.. Blake He's an
odd stick, il I remember, and cant |
bear to be crossed. And, recollect, |
my son, that he is worth fifty thou
sand, and Bessie is all he's got"
Perhaps you were never in Lane
Vile? If lot, then, Of course, you
do not know th:t Ill the houses are
as much alike as the PEGS in bushel |
bag full of peas, and the man who |
could tell one house from another
wowll be gonius-... -.............
The village is surrounded by brick
yards, and the Laneyillites believe
in encouraging home industry, so
all the houses are brick. There is a
patent roofing factory In the place;
and so, for the same reason cited |
above, all the house1 are patent |
rooted. Green paper window shades
are manufactured here, and of course
all the shades are green paper.
1t was nearly dark when l arrived |
at Lanevill9, and it rained. 1t al |
ways does when anybody goes any
where.
inquired for Mr. Blakes, anu a
small boy agreed to pilot me thither |
for ten cents. How the little wretch |
managed to single out this house |
from all the other houses just like |
1t do not know; but seeing the
name Blake t.. large letters on the |
door-plate, gave him his hard
earned pittance and rang the bell.
They were delighted to see me, had
been expecting me for a month, old
Blake said, and remembering that he
did not like to be crossed / refrained
from contradicting him, though | |
knew well enough that my mother
had written them only a fortnight |
before.
was shown into the parlor and
the presence of Bessie.
This is my daughter" said old
Blake, indifferently enough, as If
such angels as Bessie Blake were too
common with him to merit much no.
tice. And l felt chat II my panta-
looms wero not new, and | was sure
the carpet had been swept that -ay,
1t would be happiness to kReel down
at her feet-and-well, / didn't ex-
actly know what.
Mrs. Blake was a fat old lady, and
she was knitting a gray stocking
Sweet domestic employment
shook hands all round, and sat
down on the sofa beside Bessie. The
first chance I got, l squeezed her
hand, and received an enchanting
smile by way of encouragement.
Mr.. Blake got out his spectacles,
wiped them, and put them straddle
Of his nose. Then he Strengthened
back in his chair and took a good
look at me.
HUM" said he. "Tollerble tall
and well built! Six feet, amt YEP"
assented, knowing that he did
not like to be crossed, but / am only
five feet six.
81 used to be six feet two myself"
said nc; chat was when was young.
A hefty man, too. Takes after his
father - CHI, Martha?" nodding to
his wife. "All that tribe was tall
Got nose like his grandfather's-
no, let me. see; it's more like his
grGndmother's. There's a great deal
in nosos--eh, Martha?"
"Ycs," said Martha, absemtly,
counting her stitches, Especially
when u body has cold"
I noticed that the old gentleman
made mistake in calling his wife
Martha, when her name was Betsey
Ann, but | didu't cross him. | kept
still, and made myself more devoted
TO Bessie.
Yes, yes" pursued he; nose vide
at the roots, and sot up--good sign.
IIain't You had the smallpox lately?"
no." said ], Indignantly.
ooh, you hain't? | seed the sides
OF yer face and yer upper lip was
kinder broke out and dingy."
Broke out, mdecd and my mus
tache as respc ctable size as my