Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-01-30

On the same morning Mrs. Robert Smith dis
missed her cook, who blundcred at a pate de
Joie grds and hired another at greatly enlarged
wages.
The widow 1linchcliT was not only in failing
health, but she was nearer death than Lucy had
any idea of When the poor girl returned home
that evening-she went TO six houses first, and
walked distance of seven milcs,--she found
that her parent had been obliged to retire to
bed. The servant alarmed by her mistress con-
dition, had called in a neighbor, who only wait
cd for Lucys return to urge the propriety SEN
ding for doctor. Lucy not only assented, but
ran herself to fetch one. 81 can give you no
hope" he said and she felt that a blight had
passed over her young life. When one that
we dearly love is stricken down to die, we look
out upon the world as if we had no longer hope
or part or lot therein.
She had to practice the quadrlcs that night
on her hired piano, in lulfllment of the prom
ise made to Mrs. Smith. Her mother had fall
len into one Of those doing, restless slumbers
peculiar to u state of sickness, and the thought
of waking the notes of gay Quadrille music in
the house, on whose threshold, even at that
moment, Death the destroyer, stood, shocked
Lucy's feelings. No, she could not do that, let
Mrs Robert Smith say what she pleased.
She sat through the longest night she had
ever known--for the heart measures the hours
not the clocll-a watcher by her mothers bed
When the glad sunshine came gushing in at the
easement, and lark after lark poured forth his
jubilant thanksgiving for his sleep in the dcwy
grass, she undressed herself and went to her
own chamber leaving the servant to supply her
place. There was no visible alteration in her
parent when with many fears and one of the
saddest hearts that ever beat in human bosom,
she left the cottage upon her constant diurnal
mission. She was late and had to walk hur-
ridly. 1t rained, too, and she had no smile for
the toll gate keeper. lie saw she was sad, and
contented himself with touch of his hat, by
way of recogntion lie was sad too, for the
scalded child had died during the night. "Best
not to tell her now," he thought, "she has her
own trouble this morning" God help her.
She had indeed.
"You arc full ten minutes behind your time,
Miss lIinchclf. l never find you staying ten
minutes over your time was Mrs. Robert
Smiths salutaton.
81 am very sorry Ma'am-but l left my
mother at home very ill-dyng, Maam, the
doctor says" replied Lucy, bursting into tears.
"Dying-dcar me. OF course you feel very
much put out but punctuality, Mr.. Robert
Smith says, is the soul of an engagement and
you have a character to keep up-but as you
are come you can set Priscilla's mind at ease ;
she is dying 10 play the quadriles and to gin
her Italian"
IL was unable to run them through last
night, Ma'am,' stammered Lucy my mother
was ILL.,"
"Then yon arc not ready with those quadries
again, Miss Hinchclif," exclaimed Mrs. Robert
Smith "really, at your age, young woman
should know the value of her promise"
al pOuI1 M IicttIrh bnr ~ coil po
oppealingy.
"Of course, take all that into consideration.
replied her employer. But you as respon i
bic person, should know the value of promise.
However, | excuse you since your mother is
dying-only don't let it happen again. You
will commence Priscilla's Italian this morning,
Of cours,.'
81 have been so unfortunate as TO forget my
own grammar. but if Priscilla is provided with
one
"lIer father says that he cannot afford any
Italian books, her French ones came so expen-
sive. lie thought you could have no objection
to lend her yours.
What could Lucy say, but that her books
were at Prscilla's service.
Her mother was worse that evening and had
been, as the neighbors said, delirous during hel
absence. Lucy asked herself whether she
should practice the quadrillcs. She was not long
in declining Though she should 90 without
bread, she would not forget her duty as a
daughter. Her place was at her mothers bed
side
That day Mr.. Robert Smith paid visit to
friend whose governess not only taught ltal-
ian for the same salary that was paid to Lucy
linchclitf, but also proiessed TO include Span
ish. When Lucy was admitted the next morn
ing, the lady placed a small sum of money in
her hand, and informed her that domestic ar
rangements" would render her attendance in
future unnecessary. The poor girl was not at
all cast down by this circumstance. Was not
her mother ill-dying at home? She would
not he obliged to leave her so carly in the
morning.
Her mother died three days afterwards. A
letter written by Lucy to the rich relation
brought Il cool answer back, in which the wri.
ter recommended her to be industrious, and to
"kcep her character"
And now Lucy was alone in the world in
which are so many faces, and so many heart.
beating with warm life. Even the toll-gatt
keeper had disappeared. His place was sup,
piled by a stranger, a man Of coarse repulsivC
aspect. Lucy felt the loss even of that ac
quantance.
Within mouth after her mothers death
she was compelled to resign another of her en-
gagemeGtS; her employer, a widower, having
made dishonorable proposals to her. She ud
ycltised in the papers, but could not meet witt
an appointment. She had removed into lodg
ings now.
One nght-cold, rainy November night
Lucy llnchcliff, sat in her little room by he
fire, much pondering over many things, what i
was fitting for a young girl like her TO do, whit
being so unprotected, was exposed to so man,
insults. She gazcd at her mothers portrai
which hung over the mantle-shei, and seemed
10 ask advice OF the dead. But the dead re
Piled not. Only the bleak wind whsted
Only the rain beat against the panes.
There was stir below, as of feet coming u
stairs. Lucy heard it without heed. The fee
came higher and higher, however, and halte
at her door, upon the panels of which ra
sounded as from determined, sturdy knuckle'
The governcss started and cried, "come in,
and a man came in.
1t was her old acquaintance the toll got
keeper. But not dressed as was formerly. Nc
lie wore a bran new suit of superiine Saxon
cloth, and a gold watch-guard communicate
with his vest pocket As far as equipmen
went, he was in all respects the gentleman
And in the heart besides
81 beg your pardon, Miss, for intruding up
on you," he said, bashfully. 81 am como I
speak to you about educating my children"
Lucy bowed. She thought she had misuu
derstood him.
81 am come into large fortune lately, Mis-
very large fortune--a matter of thousand
| n wear. | know No rnoro Of II thrpp nnnnth Il