Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-05-10

depended upon her toeing off her stockings that
eve,ng. Around the stove were gathered the
two girls and the youngest boy, all coming
their lessons for the morrow. A goodly por
ton of the evening had been spent by them, in
vain attempt to make their lamps give ligh;
without smoking. One would pick up the
wick and eXclaim, snow | can see little better:
and anpther would draw it down saving, Il
shall be su1ocated with the smoke Finally it
would seem they came to the conclusion that
what could not be cured must be endured, and
chUse what seemed to them the least uf the two
evils, a miserable carica,ure OF twilight
Though once in "A while, when a mOnentary
pain flashed through their strained eyes, their
lips would curl and keen ear might have de-
teced escaping from them, the words cheap
oil !!
A cold blast swep, down the alley and shrek
ed around the ell. An involuntary shiver ran
over the parents and children and they looked
hastily towards the stove.
DO, for pitv's sake, exclaimed the youngest
girl to her brother, 'run down and put some
wood in the stove don't believe there is
spark of fire. I've been half frozen all the
evening, aud shall soon be quite so, a perfect
icce, if somebody don't conjure up IA little
heat
Il should think, said the elder one, in a tone
Durposely affected, as she looked up from her
philosophy, the mercury would hardly rise high
er than zero here
It's well for you then, sis, that you ain't a
thermometer, cried the boy in his blunt way.
Here, put on your Cloaks' and he brought them
from IA closet and threw them over their shoul-
dcrs; wrap yourself up in them few min
utes and reckon I'll steam up here some. -
Yes, apostropIizing the stove, III warm your
dumb tongue 50 it'll talk little. Give US the
light
'The lamp, you mean. Ej.' said Fanny rather
dryly.
Oh yes, forgot; there is a difference and
he bOltcd down stairs, his mother calling to him,
'one or two sticks will do, Edward; is almost
bedtime Ii his ears heard the words, and it
was hardly possible Tor it 10 be otherwise,
his mind did n't seem to com prehenl tnein for
turiousy raking up the embers and treaspassing
without mercy on the morrow's kindllng, he
crowded in piece after piece, till lie filled the
stove with IA generous warmth.
i wish exclaimed he as he was running
up the stairs | wsh,' repeated he as he leap
ed into the room then as he put down the lamp
aud seated himself on one of the stools close to
the stove, quite out Of breath, he Il third time
cried out / wish
Wish what, Ed , 'Do, pray, take long
breath and speak out
Wen theh wish we could have company
every day"
The girls laughed, nevertheless exclaimed
WIN one voice, we II In you IN that = thch
-peaNlng the words slowly, as though she were
all the whle tmnklng, Mary continued, II we
oGIy con'd lave company every day
What chlIdren' cried Ms. Elton, and her
mouth and throat We're f"'I of impressive sen
fences AS to lne folly OF such w'$hes when Il
sHd'en glance at her husband checked their
uIterdnce, aud sue swallowed or rather choak-
rd them down.
'Why? chi,d-on. said the father: 'why
should }ou Ike t., have company every day ??
'On, brcausc--e reclaimed Mary; le3ause
cninea N Fanny aad Edward.
Brcaosc what Don't all speak n, once
Come Allry. - the eldest win begin with.
'On have ,oly rc.s oiS father
'Ssy "A Eundrtd,' said Fanny.
"A thousand while you're about it, said Ed
ward.
sWcll' sqid Mary, ! can sum them al il
one sentence; am So much happier thea
HAMMER when strangers are around Won
than wien your beloved parents and sistor an,
brother 2 asked her father little rcproachiop
lv.