Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-09-28

changed chances OF amusement while
Ebenezer Fitch and Peter simmons
REDEEMED TO their ears and looked
very uncomtortable-
Don't seem like that's necessary,
Ma objected Mr.. Simmons In
hoarss whisper.
Il don't know why II isn'ti What's
Il to your"
Peters face took on the hue OF
ripe tomato -Tain't nothing 10 mel
he muttered hastily.
Perhaps Mrs. simmons memory
served her well at that moment: pos
sibiy she recollected that AZ one
time Peter simmons had paid atten-
ton TO pretty Doxie Post
Never mind about putting down
your proposals. Susan" she interpos-
I'd hurrIedly. who knows but II
might be embarrassing"
1T might be-" laughed Susan; Il
leave IL to the rest OF the company"
The company at once expressed
willingness to play the game as SUI
san had proposed and so they sat
themselves diligently 20 remember
the fateful words that had resulted
In visit to the minister.
Both Jabex Foote and the minister,
Mr.. Hazel had possessed themselves
of slips OF paper and were knitting
their brows over their work
Susan and Doxie busted themselves
over counting plates and glasses for
the coming refreshments.
When the last paper had been turn
- - n~.an
had insisted that to Mr.. Hazel should
be delegated the delicate task of
reading the answers, an expectant ST.
ience brooded over the room
Mr.. Hazel sorted over the papers
until he had arranged them in pairs
10 correspond with the married cou-
ples whose names they bore He
arose and picked up a paper His
handsome face seemed rather con-
strained as though he were suppress
ing a smile.
MY first paper bears the name OF
Mrs. Ebenezer Fitch II says: ''Eben-
eDer said 70 me- How soon can you
get your wedding dress ready. Mary
and that's all the proposal he ever
made-but that's inst like Ebenezer
F1tch!'"
Everybody laughed. even Ebenezer
Fitch himself. who was a lantern
jawed, solemn-looking person
Then Mr.. Hazel read Ebenezer's
account of the proposal and 1t CO
incided with that given by his wife.
whereupon several other views felt
somewhat relieved II their husbands
remembered AZ faithfully as Ebene-
IrIsrh IN rrnulA he rvaH
But II appeared that Ebenezer
who remembered. word for word.
the happenings OF a fatal day
Mrs Peter Simmons slip read:
Hannah ! cannot live without you
Will you be my wifeg-
Mr. Simmons had written: Il
hadn't got around TO II when Hannah
said one day: IF we ever air going
to get married. Peter. we better be
about 1t this spring. That suited
me and said so"
Mrs Simmons pale with indigna-
ton turned the point OF attack in an
other direction
IF we're going into such intimate
details guess may be Mr.. Hazel win
read out loud what he wrote on n
paper to Susan WORTHY and gave to
her little while ago,"
Mr. Hazel Redeemed to his snowy
collar and his eyes met those OF SUI
san and asked a question. Susan
nodded ever no slightly In response
Miss WORTHY thinks It may save
embarrassment II the rest OF the pa
pers are returned unread to their
writer's. Az for the message I wrote
to her. win read II aloud: Dear
MISS Susan: NIn you marry mes
John Hazel'"
He smiled down at their startled
and confused faces. Miss Susan has
kept me waiting three years for an
answer to this question--every year
repeat It. Tonight she has made
the very happy by saying Yes and
know you win all congratulate me
and rejoice in my happinessi"
In the confusion OF talk and laugh
ter that followed. while Susan and
Mr. Hazel received the good wishes
Of the company, Jabez Foote and Dox-
lie Post talked aside. All at once
Jsbez rormed his way to the min
lster's side.
-Mr. Hazel" he said hurriedly.
'Doxie Post has promised to marry
me and want you to tie the knot this
very minute because she'll change
her mind II she gets chance TO think
OF them orphRnsl Why, I've got
room for a whole asylum fun OF or
phans ut my farm"
How about license, JabazY" Wills
pered the minister
Don't ten her. whispered the
bridegroom In return. -but I've been
carrying It around In my pocket for
weeks waiting for her to make up her
mind"
Il never had 50 many surprises in
all my lifei" declared Mrs. Sam
Brown as they went home that night
-'rt took my breath away said
Mrs. simmons and II may be recorded
that so FAR as repeating gossip or
making malicious remarks was con
cerned. Mrs. simmons breath had In
deed departed forever