Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-02-26

A little tin Kettle sat on the top OF stove III
the fireplace, emitting a cloud Of steam from Its
muzzle and singing merrily over handful O.
Goals, so Lucy had nothing to do but tll the
little black earthenware teapot, spread her dam
ties on the table, and the two happy creatures
sat down together, but net till the old lady
though half ashamed of appearing pleased with
her fnery, had exhibited her cap in the mex
room, and gladdened the suffering child with a
portion of her granddaughter gift.
1t was pleasant sight, that an indrm old wo
man, with the SHOWS of seventy winters lying
Whitley on her forehead, and that young girl
fresh as a spring blossom, luxuriant and yet mod
est in her beauty as ripe peach amid its leaves
sitting there together in that humble garnet
both happy as children, and almost as helpless
the one in her decrepitude and age, the
other in her incxperence and exceeding love
Illness
1T seems like old times to have you sitting
here by my side, and everything so nice about
US, said the grandmother as Lucy lifted the
little black teapot and let its amber contents fall
from height, with sparkling and animated
dash, to the old china teacup with crack down
one side, which the old lady had brought out ii
honor of Lucys visit Il sometimes think,
she continued, reaching out her hand for the
cup, that never can be grateful enough for all
the comforts have, especially, Lucy, for YOU
love and kindness little thought when you
were a little girl, and your father, so proud ano
doing so we'll, that the time would come wher
those thy hands would be all poor grandmother's
support
Nonsense, grandmother, only think how
much you can earn with your own hands! 1t is
a shame that you should do any thing at this age
but then we do our best and try to help eacf
other That is what makes us SO happy l sup
posep
Well, we are content, and that is great
deal, replied grandmother Lee.
Lucy sat in silence for moment and triAet
with her Teaspoon Do you know, grandma,
really believe that you and |, in our shilling cal
icocs and with our hard work, are great dea
happier and more contented than Mrs. Hudson
with all her style and money? shade of sad
ness came over her face as she spoke the frs
That had darkcncd it that evening
What makes YOU think sop cnquired tn
grandmother, easily interested in any thing rela
ting to persons who had been kind to her child
Is her son turning out wild! Is
oh no, nothing of that kind; how could yo
think of such thing exclaimed Lucy eagerly
'but Mr.. Hudson
Ooh, understand, these unequal matche
never turn out well, replied the old lady, sh;
king her head.
There is some trouble about the property
believe said Lucy, i may tell you this CRANE
ma, but it would be wrong to whisper it to an
one else. You know Mr.. Stanton left all thu
he was worth to the widow, expecting that sh
would provide for her SON.
lie is fine young man, that George Star
ton,' murmured the old lady
Lucys color rose and her eyes Frightened
1t was an unfortunate thing for him when HI
mother married again. Mr. Hudson contro
every thing during her life, and is so cold an
cruel to her-so insolent to the young gentlema
-besides-bend your head nearer, grandma
he is a gambler?
That instant the sound of quick footsteE
coming across the garnet reached them; the
were followed by asharp knock at the door
Lucy started and looked at the old lady, Il spok
low, no enc could have heard me- she wits
pered, while her cheek became shade paler
mo, no, there may be some person i'll in tn
room below. They want me, dare say repl
ed the old lady: raising her voice, Mrs. Lee re
quested the intruder to come in.
Some one seemed feeling the latch, whic
was not readily found in the darkness without
but before Lucy could reach the door it wa
opened, and young man, with his hat of
and evidently much excited, stood in the en-
trance
Mr. Stanton!' exclaimed Lucy, losing he
natural timidity in establishment at his presenc
in that place. The next impulse was to cast
glance around the room, to congratulate herse
on its neatness, and that her grandmother ha
the new cap on.
4 beg your pardon said the young man, ad
dressing the old lady, | am sorry to have dis
turbed you, but my mother Is taken lll-none @
the servants would undertake to find Miss Lee
so came in search of her myself
i will go this instant, said Lucy, taking he
bonnet from the bed, and attempting to tie tn
strings, but her hands trembled and she coul
hardly form a knot. is she i'll, is she very i'll
Is Mr.. Hudson there? she enquired, so confuse
that she was hardly conscious of heaping on
question on another
'She has been very ILL., replied the young man
There was something in his voice that surpri
sed and startled Lucy, her hands dropped from
the ribbon she was tying, and almost for the frs
time in her life she lifted her large eyes earnest
y in his face A heavy frown was on his fore
head, and his fine eyes glowcd beneath the Ion
and dark lashes, which usually subdued thei
brilliancy, and lent them an expression of dec
tenderness. She saw that his lip was quivering
and that traces of agitation, suppressed with dii
6culty, were exhibited in every tone and move
ment He declined chair when the old VIC