The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1842-08-09
CHAPTER III.

At the close of pleasant A pri day, Mr..
Atkins sat al his kitchen freside with
Charley upon his knees. 'Wife,' said he to
Mrs. Atkins, who was busily preparing the
evening meal, is it not year since Abby
left home 2
why, husband, let me think ! always
clean up the house thoroughly just before
fast day, and had not done i, when Abby
went away. | remember speaking to her
about it, and telling her that it was wrong
10 leave me at such a busy time, and she
said, Mother | viii be at home to do it all
next year. Yes, it is year, and should
not be surprised if she should come to
right.
perhaps she will not come at all said
Mr.. Atkins, with a gloomy look. she has
written US but few letters, and they have
been very short ana. unsatisfactory. ] sup
pose she has sense enough to know that no
news is better than bad news, land having
nothing pleasant to tell about herself, she
thinks she will tell us nothing a. all. But
if ever get her home again. will keep her
here, | assure you, her first year in Lowell
shall also be her last.
Husband, told you my fears, and if you
had set up your authority, Abby would have
been obliged 10 stay at home. but perhaps
she is doing pretty well. You know she is
not accustomed TO writing, and that may ac
count for the few and short letters we have
received, but they have all even the short
est, contained the assurance that she would
be at home at the close OF the year.
Pa, the stage has stopped here said lit
tie Charley, and he bounded from his
fathers knee. The next moment the room
rang with the shouts of Abby has come =
In lew moments more she was 10 the midst
of the joyful ihrong Her father kissed her
in silence, and tears guShed from her mo-
theirs eyes. Her brother aud sisters were
clamorous with delight, all but little Charley
TO whom Abby was stranger, and who
repealed with terror all her overtures for
better acquaintance. Her parents gazed
upon her with speech!ess pleasure, for they
felt that change for the better had taken
place in their once hayward girl. Yes,
there she stood before them, a little taller,
and little thinner, and, when the flush Of
emotion had faded away, perhaps little
paler; but her eyes were bright in their
Joyous radiance, and then the smile of health
and innocence was playing around her rosy
lips. She carefully laid aside her new
straw bonnet, with its plain trimming of
light blue ribbon, and her dark marino
dress showed TO the best advantage on her
neat symmetrical form. There was more
dellcacy of personal appearance than when
she left them, and also more softness oil
manner, for constant collision with so many
females has worn off the little asPertIes
which had marked her conduct while al
home.
well, Abby, how many silk gowns have
YOU got 2 said her father, as she opened a
large new trunk. Not one, faiher,' said !
she and fixed her dark eyes upon him
with IN expression which told all. But
here are some little books for the children,
and a new calico dress for mother, and here |
is a nice black silk handkerchief for you to |
wear around your neck on Sunday. accept
it. dear father, for it is your daug hter's first
gift.