Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-01-31
GREEN MOUNTAIN

most of her lonely time was passed. am
ashamed to say that on one or two occa-
slons, Joined some wild young chaps in
playing off tricks upon her, such as making
unusual noises about her house at night,
smoking her almost to- death by putting
hoard over the top of her low mud-bullt
chimney, and such like doing, that we
thought rare sport, but for which we deser-
we'd a little wholesome chastIsemen', u
there had been any one authorized to adj
minister il.
One night, soon after dark, it happened
that was returning hume IN company with
merry fellow about my own age, and had
to 90 by old Granny Bender's cottage. |
had been into the town, and was bringing
home a couple of bakers loaves, of which
some of our people were as fond, as city
people are of getting now and then good
taste of country home make
"Tom," said | as the old woman's cot
tage came in sight, at turn of road,
suppose we have a little fun with Granny
Bender 2"
agreed" was Toms answer, for he
was always ready for sport.
We had not fully decided on what we
would do when we came to the Cottage,
and paused to settle our mode of annoy
ance The only light within was the dim
Pickering of few small sticks burning on
the hearth As we stood near the window
listening to what was going on inside, we
found that Granny was praying, and, little
to our surprise, asking tor food.
AS she expects to get bread from leav.
ell" said |, irreverenty, 4" l suppose she
will have to be accommodated.
Aud turning from the window, | clam
bered up, noiselessIy, to the top of the
chimney, a feat Of no great difficulty, ant
tumbled my two loayes down.
When reached the window again, il
order to see what effect this mode of sup
ply would have upon Granny Bender,
found the good old creature on her knees
piously thanking God for having answered
her prayer.
That's COOL" says to Tom "noW
isn't it 7"
i" | rather think it is" replied Tom.
"And is the old woman really such ;
fool as 10 think the Lord answered hel
prayer, and sent her well baked !oaves dowr
the chimney"
" No doubt Of it,"
" 1t won't do to let her labor under thi;
mistake; no, never in the world" said |.
Halo ! Granny !' cried |, as threw
open the window, and pushed my laughing
face into the room.
She had just arisen from her knees, and
was about putting piece of the bread i'll
to her mouth.
"Now, Granny Bender" said ], "i
isn't possible that you believed that tina,
bread came from Heaven Why, you old
sinner you threw it down the chimney
By this time, the old woman's counter
ance was turned fully towards me, and by
the dim light of the feeble fire, | could see
that there were tears of thankflIness upon
her faded and withered face. The expires
sion of that face did not in the least chage
though there was deep rebuke in the tone
OF her voice, as well as in the words sht
u'eIeu, as sue sdiu--, ,-..-,s-..-s-v--.ssvs-s
You may be sure that vanished instan
ter, while Tom clapped his hands ant
shouted
"Good good Too good Oh, dear
but the old lady was too much for you lha
time"
tried to laugh with him as we went Of
home, and did laugh, as lond as he did, bu
somehow or other the laugh did not appea
to do me any good.
After that left Granny Bender alone.