Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-03-01
MISCELLAN n Y .
Little Gerty.

1t was only small rent in the white
apron, but poor Gerty was sadly frightened.
Her mother had been very angry when she
tore her cloak at school, and had threatened
TO punish her if anything of the kind occur
red again. SO now, with feal and trembling.
the child kept one little hand carefully over
the rent, while her head was busy studying
how she could best explain the accident to
her mother. Presently, however, for some
service, both hands were required, and then
notwithstanding Gerty's precautions, sharp
eyes spied the tiny triangular tear, and a
voice no m lder then the eyes pronounced,
Careless childp
Then followed an awful pause, while the
iron woman standing there in her infexible
sternness, eyed the shrinking child, who
was struggling hard to keep down the ris-
ing tears. Her mother would be still more
displeased if she cried, so the fought brave
ly against it, but before she could speak,
the decree came -
Go directly 70 your room. You need
mot come own again tonight
! But, mother-'
Not one word, Gertrude And the child
crept silently upstairs TO her own apart
ment.
The chamber was chilly and dark; but
Gerty cared not for this. Better both colo
and darkness than the frowning, freezing
presence she had just left. But her pun.
ishment had been unmeried, and feeling
this most bitterly, the sensitive nature re-
belled against the injustice. So now she
threw herself upon the low bed, wetting it;
pillows with her tears, while the little chat
ing, sorrowing spirit found vent in conyul
sive sobs and choking words.
Il wasn't to blame Tom was passing
with wood, and he tore 1t. Why couldn'
mother let me tell her just that? Shc
doesn't love me-nobody loves me now
o why did God make my own mamma
die?'
All, why, poor child? Other sobbin:
voices than yours, all over this weepin.
world, and through all the ages, have sen
up that same weary cry to the throne o
God. Piercing the clouds and the dark
ness, it has reached the ear Of the Eternal
and one day, you and l and they will know
why, but not now nor here.
1t was beautiful home. TIE soft ligh
lay upon rich carpets and velver cushions
and upon the walls were hung rare ant
costly pictures ;-pictures, gazing at whicl
YOU seemed TO be standing far away upon tn
vine-clad hills and under the cloudless skie
of Italy, and pictures of faces whose darl
eyes haunted your dreams for days. Her
you saw an exquisite statuette, and there al
antique vase, and everywhere something t
study or admire. Yonder, through partly
opened doors, you had glimpse of a well
filled conservatory, and the air was heav.
with the perfume of tropical plants. Yes
it was beautiful home, and she had love
it, the low-yoiced, gentle woman who ha
come hither bride, and who, only tw
,, years since, had been borne out from it, t
longer and darker abode.
Six months had passed since the secon
marriage. The present Mrs. Allen was
. model woman. AT least, so her friends saiC
and so she thought. A woman who CAV
thanks daily that she was not as other VIC
t men were, or subject to like failings wit
I them. If that ingredient termed tender
: ness had ever formed one of the componer
/ parts of her nature, she must have don
8 away with it years ago, and she now stoo
: woman no more susceptible to gentle il
i f1uences, than is an iceberg of the norther
sea, to the warming influences Of the star
She played the whole game of life accor,
ing 10 a code Of laws, every article Of whic
a was as unalterable as a decree ofthe Medt
. and Persians. Nobody ever knew Mr.
Allen TO be late to church or late to Dime
She never said can't for cannot, OF made u:
> Of anv other abbreviated English. 81
: never put on her gloves in the street {
omitted her daily exercise. In short, 81
n was the feminine embodiment of system 5
4 II-,sI II