Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-02-26
select Tales.
From Graham's Magazine for January.
THE STEPnS0N.
BY MRS. ANN s. STEPHENS.

rear buildings, WHICH III Oui Olly diC put ny lOi
the express accommodation of the poor, to
whom free air from heaven and warm sunlight
must be dealt out sparngy. In this house
there lived many human beings, for each room
had its humble household, and she of whom
write was perhaps the only one in that crowded
dwelling who occupied an apartment to herself
1t was humble room enough, high in the attic,
with a window cut through the roof, and SIN
gle door leading from an open garnet; still there
was an air of neatness and comfort IN the little
nook seldom found with poverty, unless brighter
fortunes have preceded it. The humble bed
was covered with neat patchwork quilt-a
breadth of rag Carpeting covered the floor in
front, and an old mahogany candlestand with
slender feet and a twisted stem, stood beneath
the small looking glass, which had evidently
done half a century's service in some New Eng
land family.
A Bible lay upon the stand, old and worn,
but neatly enycloped in green baize cover
The room contained but two chairs, both worn
through in the seat, but with the ravages of time
covered by neat patchwork cushions and valan-
ces. The old lady had drawn one Of these
chairs up to deal table that stood near the
fireplace and was enjoying her solitary meal,
with an expression Of grateful tranquility bGa m
ing on her face, when the door opened and a
young girl entered the room softly, with bas-
ket on her arm. The old lady's back was tow
ards her visitor, so she stole softly forward, sci
her basket down on the floor, and laying pref
bo, nd
kissed the withered forehead of the quiet old
lady, and then broke into a soft musical laugh
which filled the humble room like the carol Of
a bird:
SO have caught you, dear old naughty
grandma, drinking black tea, and without milk
no butter to your bread either! this will new
er do and looking on the table the young girl
shook her head, and bent her half smiling hal
reproachfu eyes on the aged face now turned
hastily toward her
All, Lucy is it you! said the old womar
with look in which warm affection struggled
very nice, and | am getting to like it black and
clear, as welI-that is, almost as we'll
An, grandma, am not to be cheated so-
You have been robbing yourself again!' said thu
girl, patting the old woman's cheek with he
hand
1t was only the poor woman in the next room
--one of her children is sick, and So
All! | understand-you are starving your
self to make the sick baby comfortable! Well
there is no use in scoIding you; l know that o
old See, have brought basket full of nice
things Let us throw away the black stuff
and have nice fresh cup of cosey tea to
gether.'
The old lady's eyes sparkled at the proposal
for, poor thing, her coarse tea, without sugar o
milk, and humble accompaniment, had render
ed but sorry meal Holding one little with
cred hand under the edge of the table, sh
brushed the crumbs of stale bread into it, ant
began to re-arrange the tea things with great an
imatlon.
See what have brought, cried her grand
child, holding up a card of fresh sponge cak
with a triumphant smile, and dropping the snow
ynapkin over her basket, that the rest of it
tempting contents should not be revealed all a
once.
All! this is too extravagant, Lucy, we mus
not indulge in these things now; as she spoke
the kind old creature took up the cake, examin
ed its rich brown crust and golden centre with
beaming countenance, cast a look at the sWee
girl kneeling by her basket another at the door
and added in a coaxng voice, but with sort o.
half guilty consciousness, 'But-Lucy-dea
it would be so nice for the child, poor
thingF
Lucy replied by another birdike laugh, anc
lifting corner of the napkin produced small
pot of Jelly; 'SeeP she cried, raising the lid
and allowing the old lady to catch a glimpse o.
the luscious contents. mo, no., she added, a,
the old lady eagerly reached forth her hand fol
the jar, this is for yourself, remember; half a
tea cup full for the sick child-not particle
more-promise me that, or will take it home
again. and shaking her beautiful head till it:
rich brown curls swept over her face and hal
blinded her, with one knee upon the floor, anC
her smiling face upllfted to the old lady's till the
promise was given
well, now, there it is, and here is the whole
basket, tea, sugar, biscuit-every thing p anC
starting to her feet Lucy Lee threw away the
napkin, and with eager hands laid parcel after
parcel, as she named their contents, on the
table.
The old lady burst into tears Oh, darling
how good you are to me; here is more than {
whole months wages, all for poor grandma, ant
not so much as a ribbon for yourself
No, no. cried Lucy Lee, hinging her arm:
round the old woman's neck and kissing hel
damp cheek, lit is Mrs Hudsons gift. Do yor
remember her son is of age to-day-Mr. George
Stanton-you have seen him, grandma
Why was it that pretty Lucy Lee fell to kiss
ing her grandmother eagerly as she mentioned
George Stanton's namel Why was it that the
color rushed over her cheek as if handful O
peach blossoms had been dashed against i'll
Sweet, innocent Lucy Lee! it was we'll that thu
eyes bent so affectionately on her were full o
tears, or, even without her spectacIes, the ole
grandmother might have suspected something