Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-07-13

uay. She knew that she ought TO return Il
the house; but nature, for this once at least
got the better Of her raining. 'sNo HARM
thought she, TO see the brood or chickens.
Nor did she, when she had given them
some water, 60 into the house; but loitered
and fingered, bearing the robin sing, and
following with her eye the bob'lincoln, as
he fitted from shrub 10 shrub. She passed
almost an hour out Of the house, because she
did not want 70 be alone: and she did not
feel alone when she was out among the
birds, and was gathering here and there a
little wild flower. But a, last she went in.
took her Bible, and seated herself at the
window, sometimes reading and sometimes
looking our. $500
\ AS she was there seated, she saw three
men coming up towards the house, and she
was right glad to see them; for she Eel,
lonely. a1d there wac dreary long day
before her. " Father tho't she, "meanl
something, when he told me to be kind to
strangers. Isuppose he expected them. /
wonder what keeps them all from meeting.
Never mind !; they shall see can do some
thing forihem, if lam little Hiuy so put
ting down the Bible, she ran to meet them.
happy, con6ding, and even glad that they
had come. She called TO them TO come
and without waiting for them to speak, she
called to them TO come in with her, and
said, "I am all alone; if mother was here
she would do more for you, but will do all
| can ;--and all this vita frank, loving
heart, glad TO do good 10 others, and glad 10
please her father; whose last words were,
to spare of their abundance TO the weary
traveller.
Smith and his two companions entered
Now il was neither breakfast time nor din
ner time, but about half way between both
yet little Hitty's head was full of the liiec-
ton, "spare of our abundance p and almost
before they were fairly 10 the house, she
asked if she should ge; them something to
eat. Smith replied, "Yes, j will thank
you, my child, for we are all hungry This
was indeed civil speech fol the thief, who,
half starved, had been lurking in the woods
to watch his chance to steal the silver tank
ard, as soon as the men folks had gone TO
meeting. "Shall give you cold yictuals,
or will you wait till / can cook some meatW
asked Hitty. eve can't wait" was the
reply, .sgive US what you have ready, as
soon as you can" 81 am glad you do not
want me 10 cook for you, -but would do
tiff you did,-because father would rather
not have much cooking on Sundays" Then
away she tripped about, making her prepar-
alton for lheirIepast. Smith himself helped
her out with the table. She spread upon il
a clean white cloth, and placed upon it the
silver spoons and the silver tankard full Of
sold orchard" with large quantity Of
wheaton bread and dish Of cold meat. ]
don't know why the silver spoons were put
on-perhaps little Hitty thought they made
the table look prettier After all was done,
she turned TO Smith, and with courtesy
told him that dinner was ready. The child
had been so busy in arranging her table, and
so thoughtful Of housewifery, that she took
little or no notice Of the appearance and
manners Of her guests. She did the work
as cheerily and freely, and was as unem,
lbarrassed, as IL she had been surrounded BY
her father and mother and brothers. One
of the thieves sat down doggedly, with bis
hands on his knees, and his face down al
most 10 his hands, looking all the time OF
The Aoor. Another, younger and better
looking man, stood COMPOUNDED and irreso
lufe, as IL he had not been well broken int
his trade and often would he go to thi
window and look out, keeping bis back t
The child. Smith, on the other hand looked
unconcerned, as if he had quite forgotten
his purpose. He never once took his atten
lion off the child, following her with hi.
eyes as she hustled about in arranging th'
dinner table; there was even a half smiI'
mis- face. They all moved to the table
| Smiths chair al the head, one Of his com
lpanions on each side, the child at the foot
standing there 10 help her guests, and to bs
readyto go for further supplies asathere wa
need. 81 H
! The men ale as hungry men, almost i
] silence; drinking occasionally from The sIl
4 verlankard. When they had done, SmiIl
started up suddenly, and said, 9 Come let
l GO" aWhat p exclaimed the Older robbe'
go with empty hands when this silver
heTe.' He sliced the tankard. Put tha
down." shouted Smith I'II shoot the ma
: who lakes a single Thing from the house.