Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-02-26
THE WOOING OF
MISS PRISCILLA.
Sam'l Wasn't Too Sick to Take
Advantage Of the Opportunity.
BY CARRIE HUNT LoTTA.

BY CARRIE HUNT LOTTA.
As she drew near to small house
which was built well back from the
road Miss Priscilla glanced at II with
pretended Indifference, Then she look
ed closer. stopped and looked again.
How shet up Sam1 Clayton's house
10 look. Mebby he's went away. Meb-
by he's went west He said he would
eff | didn't marry him. But. law me-
that was years an years ago. an eff
he'd ben goin' he'd "a went long ago
Mebby he's sick an all by hisself:
wouldn't live on byroad fer hner
farm n this of SAINTS"
She took a few steps farther. then
stopped. There was n determined look
on her face.
sit amt proper fer a lone wummin
ter go ter the house of lone man.
but | amt goin ter stop fer that ner
nothln' else when they's prospec or
Saml Clayton bein sick with nobody
ter complain ter"
She walked briskly up the lane
which led to the little house. The
blinds were drawn and the front gate
was closed. The barnyard gate hung
open, and the chickens wandered
about the dooryard disconsolately.
while out In the shed the COW lowed
piteously.
mo tellin' when that cows ben
MIXED er how long she's ben shet up
without feed an water Sonnet hin's
happened. ! hope-oh, | do hOpe-it
amt nothin' awful. SAINTS bout the
only friend I've got here'bouts. an eff
he was ter die
She had to wipe the tears from her
eyes before she Knocked.
There was no answer. Her breath
came fast She knocked again.
What yo' wantY" The voice was
decidedly cross.
Miss Priscilla opened the door eau
tiously, keeping her face turned away
"Sam'l Clayton, is they anything the
matter?"
"Nothin'." he answered grimly.
"'ceptin' I'm fat on my back an amt
able ter git up"
The door dew open. and Miss Pris
ella entered
II know | amt dom the proper
thing. Sam'l. so don't be castin' up
nothing. but My goodness, Saml.
yo're AZ yaller as gold"
THAT'S comfortin'. Percilly."
"Yo've got yaller janders, | reckon
/ don't blame yo' none fer not wantin'
ter git up When | had EN- couldn't
turn over in bed
81 do want ter git up. but | can't,
Percilly."
Don't yo' be cross. Sam'l They
amt no call fer 1t. I'm sorry fer 20.
awful sorry. an. though 1t Amt the
thing. I'm goin' ter stay here an red
things up some Then I'll git word to
yer brother Robert. Air yo' thirsty.
Sam'l?'
= He nodded.
"An' hungry"
He put out his tongue at her and
made a wry face.
mo; | reckon yo' amt hungry. but
yo're weak fer somethln' ter eat, an
yo'il git it right SOON"
She went into the kitchen. and Sam
uel heard her muttering and talking
to herself. She put her head In at the
door.
only one yove got. SamlT'
I'm the only one ter use glass.
Percilly. an never hev cump'ny"
"Whats it got in il anyhow
"Ginger tea. Percilly"
Miss Priscilla picked the glass up
and smelled of the contents.
"Phfew. Sakes alive. | .s'pose 20
fixed it?'
Miss Priscilla disappeared. taking
the glass with her She soon returned
with a glass of sparkling cold water.
Miss Priscilla Strengthened the sheet.
put clean cases on the pillows. opened
the windows and put the room In or
der SamueIs face frightened as he
watched her.
Got anything bout the house ter
eat. Saml?" she asked presently.
Things as Spite easy is hangin' in
the well. an the rest of the things is
In the cellar. Percilly"
Miss Priscilla fed the chickens, milk.
ed the COW aud turned her into the
pasture. When she returned she pu'
the milk way. then entered the room,
again. bringing cup of hot broth.
at amt cooked nough. Saml. bur
1t won't do fer 20 to go any longer
with Imply stummick Eat some"
She propped him up in bed. and he
did as he was hidden.
THAT'S the first good broth I've ct
sence mother died"
IL don't doubt that. Sam'l Yo're
the porest 'xcuse fer houSekeeper
ever seen. The whole house Is awful
amt s'prised yore sick. I'D be
dead"
at amt my fault as I'm my own
housekeeper. Percilly Blake" he an.
swered Significantly.
She flushed red
"Well. I see plain as Ill hev to &c
an leave yo' by yourself an not wait
fer yer brother ter come. Don't make
matters unproperer than they air a
reddy."
MY. but yo' air blind the times.
Brother moved ter ioway five weeks
ago comm Thursday"
"They's other uaybers. Saml.' she
snapped.
All the rest of the day she watched
for a passing vehicle that she might
hail its occupant and send for some
ore to look after Samuel. Toward
3D. Hh4