Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-28
nlisfellanp.
Mrs. Shows Help,
A ROMANCE OF COUNTRY LIFE.

you're the biggest torment that ever woman
had just go, now, and get the soap and sane
and some water, and scour up all them spots
Cant you wipe up tho milk ?" No, you
can't wipe up the milk, cause milk's just like
grease on white floor Besides, you nee dn't
never ask no questions, but just do as l tell
you"
The shrill tones died away, for at instaLt
!. and then, in key slightly lowered, the speaker
resumed. " Serves me right for being SO soft
as to trouble myself with other peoples brats
Nover'll ketch me doin' sech troublesome deet
of charity ag'in. | should think child twelve
years old might carry milk pan across tht
room without splllin' half the milk on thu
floor. There, wipe up the milk first and DON
spread it half over the foor," to the child
Try and do somethin' right, if you en-"
'She seems to be doin' the best she can, ;
upspoke another voice, a boyish voice, strong
and pleasant. Sand mebby if you would nj
scold so much, mother. she wouldn't be so tim
orsome, and always droppin' and spillin thing
would you, now, sis ?"
The child had scarcely time to reply bya tim
id, grateful glance of her large, dark eyes, wher
the shrill voice recommended
GO You just mind your own business, Zade
don't want any of your interferin with my
help. And there, while you We been distractn
my mind, the baby's helped himself to slic'
of pork, out of the dish, and he's making nice
work Just see the marks of his ten fingers or
the Aoor-and there goes the pork Here, Milly
g grease enough for you to scour up. Call th'
men folks in to break fast, and while we're eat
in ont, you can clean this up, And mind, i
there's one speck of it left, it'll be worse fo
you"
Zade or Zadock, tall boy of seventeen, cas-
pitying glance at the little girl, as she hurried
to obey the new mandates, and then followed
his mother, who, with the baby in her arms
was proceeding to the large kitchen Of the farm
house, which in summer was the eating-roon
of the family, while the cooking was done il
the smaller room where Milly was now striving
to repair the baby's mischief.
The child was left alone And as she ben
wearily to her task, the tears rose up in hel
eyes and rolled over her pale cheeks, while sht
occasionally placed her hand upon her side, anG
uttered sitting groan.
She was kneeling in this attitude for mo-
ment, forgetful that in moving she had comf
within the range of Mrs. Shows vision through
the open door, when the shrill voice startled hel
again.
emily |! None of your loiterin' there
There's plenty of work for you to do to-day
and if you haint finished that by the time In
done breakfast, you can just go without yours
Mind your business Zade, in lower voice
you needn't be pityin' that lazy little trollope
that don earn her salt; then louder" You'v
got all them milk things to wash and scald, an
then 90 out into the blackberry lot and pic
berries enough to make batch of pies, and 70
tea, too. And when that s done, no danger bu
what I'll find enough for you to do, beside
kneeln' down with your hand On your side
The child bent again to her task, murmurne
"oh, if my dear mother had only lived !! , bu
she male no reply to Mrs. Snow. When it wa
ended she was permitted to cat breakfas
scanty enough, for she turned from the coars
food with feeling akin to loathing, and the
she was hurried relentlessly to her heavy tasks
At last the shining pans and pals were a
arranged upon the broad bench in the sunligh
where they were duly aired each day; and ther
without moment for rest, though the fervl
August noon was approaching, Milly was ser
to the field to pick blackberries. Faint, an
moaning with the pain which grew every MI
ment more severe, she went on her way.
She was very dizzy, and her head ached fea
fully as the sun beat in all its power upon he
But she skirted half the field, filing her bask
rapidly with the luscious fruit, till she reache
point where only the blackberry hedge and
low stone fence separated her from the roa,
Here she sat down upon q log in the shade, f
moments rest. Then for long, long til
all was blank !
A little past noon horseman came ridi
along the road. His linen coatand broad stra
hat were suited to the season, and indicate
nothing Of his calling or pursuits But t
sadde-bags, of russet leather, that hung hefo
him, proclaimed him at once country doctc
upon his professional rounds. For the rest,
was young, with frank, open face, IL lit1
worn, but pleasant and confdenco,inspiring
its expression
He caught sight of the ripc, jetty berries,
he rode past, and a sudden thought struck
mind.
lie dismounted, and making funnel shap
bag Of IL newspaper which he took from
pocket, commenced filling it with the tempti
fruit. lie had nearly filled it, when low mo
from the other side of the hedge startled him
much that he had nearly dropped it. y n
ment, and the moan was repeated.
Some urchin picking berries, has got
thorn in his foot, suppose, y quoth the d,ct
trying to find an opening in the hedge, that
might peep through.
Failing in this, and still hearing the moa
he called out, /" Halo. there What's
matter? I'm Doctor Gray, can | do anyth
for you ;" There was no answer, but the p
ful moans. growing fainter and fainter.
wish could get through or over these conlou
ed briars,' said the doctor running up
down and at lust finding II place where
hedge was comparatively thin, he made a