Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-06-11
ALMAYS IN TIE WAY.

a STORY FOR CAREFUL rERUsAI nY MOTHERS.
"Rain. rain, rain; will it never stop 2"
thought little Amy Howard as She pressed
her small face close to the window-panc, in
the vain attempt to see further round the
corner, whence sister Anna must come from
school. II was not one of those rainy days
which every one loves when the drops fall
steadily and cheerily, and one feels sure they
are completing their mission as rapidly as
possible, in order to treat us to rainbow
1t was checrlcss mizzly, drizzly rain, that
seemed unwilling to leave cloudland, and bent
upon making everybody sympathize with his
ill-humor.
Poor little Amy looked the embodiment Of
folornty she watched the long. pcndulous
branches Of the Gins sway hithcr and thither
in an uncomfortable manner. She wondered
what made the rain fall, and if the poor little
doves felt it through their glossy feathers
but she know it was quite useless to ask her
mother, for she would only tell her not to
ask so many questions, and to keep out of
her way.
Mrs. Howard loved her child, but she was
bustling, energetic woman whose chief care
was to keep a well-ordered and tidy house,
and she did not understand the delicate
infancy a feeble child, and stood sadly in
need Of loving and tender sympathy. She
was not beautiful; but for those who loved
her, there was a depth Of love in her little
heart which only needed answering sunbcams
to make it bear sweetest blossoms, and light
up her wan face with the beauty Of content
ment
This had been such sad day In the
1, Ii a.. -.
her mothers proceedings at the pastry table,
when an unlucky motion of her hand sent
dish of -four to Wilton the floor, calling forth
an impatient reprimand from the mother
Checking back rising sob, she left the table.
and cssayed to play with her blocks, building
with them wall to confne White Lily, her
kitten. But kitty, impatient at such close
Imprisonment, made vigorous efforts to free
herself, and as she succeeded, scattered the
blocks in every direction.
"What a looking room r. exclaimed Mrs
II. 81 declare, its no use to clean up, you
keep things in the way So
No more se-buildiug for ANY after that,
so she walked up and down the room, sing
ing softly to the kitten in her arms, till it
was time to look for Annals return from
school--Anna, the dear sister who loved the
little one, and never told her to keep out of
the way.
AT last her patient waiting was rewarded
with a glimpse of Annals bonnet, and with
cry of Joy Amy bounded to open the hall
door to greet her sister with outstretched
hands and the words, Il thought you would
never come!
"What ails my pet?" said Anna as she
took the child in her lap, and parting the hair
from her pale face, remarked the look Of
wearness in her eyes.
Nothing answered Amy, "only my head
aches So and cant play without troubling
mother"
Anna sighed, for she knew the little heart
had sore trials So far into the dusky eve
she sat with Amys head upon her shoulder,
telling of the olden time when the fairies
danced by moonlight upon the greensward,
when every hill and dale, every river and tiny
streamlot, was haunted by unearthly beings.
Then she told of heaven, made glorious by
God and the angels, and as Amy listened,
her eyes beamod with delight, and she ex-
claimed raising he. head with animation;
"Anna, must 60 there | must--is il
such a long wayi" Suddenly shadow dark
oncd her face as she said sadly, "Pcrheps
though | should get in the way of angels
] am so careless"
Never, darling" said the sister, clasping
more closely the little form, which an almost
prophetic sense told her was too surely fading
away.
At midnight there were hurried steps and
anxious questions, as the household was
awakened by Anna's cry that Amy was very
| i'll. After days of watching, weeping group
surrounded the bed of the dying child.
"Mother," said Amy's feeble voice, 81
didn't mean 90 be naughty, and get in your
! way so much. hope | shan't trouble the