Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-09-05
thanked me in that simple, childliko way of

eaSler.
ADO you live here, Miss-P"
Hastings" she supplied my name is No
ra Hastings. Yes, sir l live here-up stairs.
| breakfast and dine earlier than you do, and
sit at the corner table; so it is not strange you
have not seen me, though | have seen Mr..
Prescott, the new boardcr. Good evening,
SIR"
She moved from me up stairs as she spoke.
1t was not quite sunset, in the long summer
day, and as she went up, the rays struck through
the side window, and kinded come golden
lights in her brown wavy hair and somehow
my boysh fancies of Jacobs ladder, and the
angels going up and down it, came into my
mind, and l went into my room, saying to my
self, "Heaven bless the child ~
hatter myself that l made use of degree
of diplomacy which would have done credit to
the.Chevalier Wykof in questioning the cham
ber-maid next morning. | had her in to dust
my books, under my personal supervision and
l drew her into conversation about several of
the boarders. At length l asked, "Was there
any one in the house | could get to do some
sewing for me, did she think? Had | not
heard of Miss Hastings, who was a seams
tress P"
"Perhaps so but Miss Hastings did not do
such work as a gentlemen wanted"-with
hearty Irish laugh. "She finishes off dresses,
and trimmed them, and made mantllas. Most
likely this was not what wished to have done?"
"Most likely it wasn't But perhaps the
young lady was not always busy. If she were
out of work, she might ike to do what did
want in her spare time"
Ellen thought she did not have any spare
time. She made everything look so beautifully
that the ladies kept her always busy.
"And she's the rale lady herself" broke out
the warm hearted IIibernian, in gush of ire
pressible panegyric "She's so afraid of max
ing any trouble, though such I'd work my fin
gers to the bone to spare those white hands of
hers. When | was sick and liked TO die with
the fever, who but she took me into her room
and nursed me, and sat up with me nights after
working hard all day; and when she thought
was asleep heard her prayin for me! Her
prayers wasn't out O the prayer-book, but
know the saints heard EN-"
She stopped and wiped her eyes on the cor
ner of her calico apron. Man though l was
could have wept with her easily. 1t went TO
my very heart to think of the poor young thing
doing patiently and secretly such works of mer-
cy. But was not surprised. l had read the
true, earnest nature. the power of elf-sacri6ce,
in her eyes. God bless and God keep her! |
said to myself every time thought of her. and
those times were not few.
That day purchased Clytie, the fac-simile
of my own. At night | took it home with me
and | wrote to go with it, these words:
"Will Miss Hastings permit her fellow-board-
or to offer her a gift, the acceptance of which
will confer much pleasureP Her admiration of
the Clytie was so hearty and genuine that, he
thinks to possess it may contribute slightly TO
her happiness"
rang for Ellen and begged her to take the
bust and little note up stairs. Presently she
came back, bringing with her few lines writ
ten in pcncil:.
81 accept your gift, as am sure it was meant.
You have designed to give pleasure to one who
sure that you have succeeded. | thank you
more than can say"
She had received it as was sure she would,
with simple dignity and gratitude which, had
my motives been evil, would have repeled me
far morn eHectually than any sarcastic refusal
respected all women. 1t was a part of my
early training at the hands of the best o
mothers but already l rcverenced that young
sewing girl more than any other woman | had
ever seen.
Mrs. Lee puzzled me not a little when We
met, as we usually did, in the parlor after tea
One or two of the other boarders were there al
first but presently they went out and we were
alone. 1t seemed to me that her manner
girl to whom had been making love, than like
! lady's simple courtesy toward her inmate.
al am not sure that ] had better stay here
with you," she began. "You do beguile me, a'
you did last night, into saying such unwarran
table things, revealing my heart to you"
was utterly confounded. What had beer
doingp bethought myself of Mrs. Bardell''
suit against the respected President of the Pick
wick Club, and trembled in my patent-leathers
Mr.. Weller's advance to Samive came into.m,
mind and answered little stiffy.
81 had not meant to force your confidence
dear Madame, and did not know that you hat
eyer said anything to me which the whole worlt
might not properly hear
Perhaps she thought she had been progress
ing too fast. She smiled, shook her long curls
and rustled the folds of her black silk. Sht
said ! was a naughty man, very naughty man
to take up things so. OF course she had no
said anything to me of Consequence only i
was lust possible that some people might thinl
it a little queer that she bad confessed not t.
have loved Mr.. Lee quite MS adoringly as he hoc
loved her. But why need she trouble hersel
when she knew it would go no fartherP"
"Of course it would not" answered. San,
thing that she did me the honor to confde to M
was sacred"
Then there was pause, and felt very awk
| ward. 1t would be dltlcult TO say anything
more, / thought but Mrs. Lee did not find
so. Verify the tact of women is wonderful
In five minutes we had gone back two days, AM
were talking together on our old terms Of pleas
ant, easy familiarity. | was somewhat NOR
absent minded than formerly, perhaps, for man
of my thoughts were with the little girl in tn
attic.
1t was three days after had sent her tn
Clytie before saw her again. Then met he
on the stairs. | was going out after my Gus
tomary chat with Mrs. Lee in the parlor and
met her coming in. Her face was very pale
and she stepped YEARLY. She smiled lttl
when she saw me, and stopping, held out he
hand
"You were very kind, Mr.. Prescott, and al
more grateful than can say"
81 only WISH" | responded eagerly, "that,
could, that you would let me contribute to you
pleasure now and then. You look tired, and
can't bear to see young girl like you wearin
herself out"
at can't be helped, sir. I'm only too thank
ful that hare something to do. | need notl
ing; all my wants are supplied. 1t is pleasaI
to feel that have friend and look on 20
as one, though have no claim ON you"
"Would to Heaven you had claim on me
, ! thought as | watched her toiling so YEARLY u
the stairs. Would that she were my sister, III
niece, anything that would give me right I
/ take her work out Of her hands, and present.
for her change Of air and scene, rest and Ii
tie pleasure! Then l fell to thinking, as
strolled across the common, what sad strang