Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-02-02
GRANDMOTHER RODEN.

"Ob, motherp cried Susan, her face flush
ing crimson, as she tried to lift herself up,
but fell back again with stihed cry Of pain.
81 shall be very comfortable" continued
the old woman, wping her eyes and pushing
up her spectacles on to her forehead
shall be kept warm and clean, and food will
be provided for me. It's deal better than
Mise Lucy going there, as the neighbors were
talking about yesterday. We shouldn't ike
the masters child to 60 amongst those rough
children; and nobody'll do me any harm with
their low ways and talk. May be the Lord
has some particular work for me to do there,
and I'll take the big Bible with me only,
Susan, be sure thee gets it back for Enoch, if
/ should die there"
"Oh mother mother !" cried Susan again.
1t was all that she could say for though it
seemed too dreadful TO be believed that, after
all, Johns mother should have to 20 into the
House, she knew how much better she would
be provided for there, now she could not work
and care for her; and perhaps her life would
be greatly shortened by the cruel privations
she was enduring. Hitherto, help had al
ways come when they were in straits, and her
trust in the providence Of God had been very
firm; but she had never walked very far in
darkness, and, now that the light had been
absent so long time, Susan hardly knew
how to stay herself upon the name of God.
"My woman" said her mother, thought
fully and tenderly, Z" if it was the Lords will
that some Of his people should wander about
in sheepskins and goatskins, and live in des-
erts and caves and dens, being destitute,
afflicted, and tormented, it's small thing he
requires Of me to go into the House. It's
for the best, | know though we cant see it.
love my Saviour, who loved me, and gave
himself for me, and I'll trust him to the very
end. l know in whom have believed. He
is all my salvation he knows that l have
gone TO him in faith as poor sinner, and he
will not now cast me off,"
MAY be, Enoch'll get work." murmered
Susan.
"a young man like him can't keep us all !;
nay, I'm willing now. As soon as Enoch
comes in, he shall help me to crawl along the
streets to the House and there I'll wait till
the Lord let's me out again, or takes me up to
himself. All, Susan, it 'ud be a wonderful
change to go up to heaven out of the work
house So now I'm ready and willing to do
what he pleases."
They were silont after that. and both of
them were thinking, though they would not
have owned it to themselves even, that, now
they had declared their readiness to submit
TO his will, God never would carry out that
trial which they so much dreaded, but that
he would appear for them at the last moment I;
even as he sent an angel to stay the hand OF
Abraham, just as it was stretched forth to
STAY his son. AT length, there was the sound
of Enoch's entrance into the room below, and
Susan held her breath, while she strained her
car to catch his tone, whether glad or mourn
full. He was speaking to Lucy, and his voice
was one almost Of despair.
81 couldn't bring myself to beg" he said,
bitterly; "but looked in at bakers win
dow, till the woman behind the counter came
to the door and gave me stale roll. should
think my face is changed, if anybody would
think Of that"
Old Mrs. Roden rose slowly from her seat
beside Susan, and crept across the room to
the box where she kept her black silk bonnet,
which had never been worn since she had las /
ventured out TO the nearest church, now al
most year since. 1t seemed like very
melancholy dream to Susan. to be lying there
doing nothing, while Johns mother was fee
bly, tying on her bonnet, and wrapping round
her the old scarlet cloak in which, long year 4
ago, when she was young woman, she had
attended the village church, and gone to the
weekly market. There had always been a
kind Of joy and gladness and excitement in
the sight of the carefully kept scarlet cloak
until now but Susan's heart and eyes ached
to see the sunshine upon its bright folds.
I'm ready" said the old woman, totterins
back to Susan's side, and laying her trembliu :
hands upon her head and pilov. Thee
will call to Enoch. and tell him, for cannot
and may God, my God and thy God, be with
thee Thou hast been better to me than Ruth
to Naomi, my daughter. The Lord recon.
pense thy work, and full reward be given
thee OF the Lord God OF Israel, under whose
wings thou art come to trust"
Enoch had thrown himself down upon the
cheerless hearth in the kitchen, when the
sound Of sobs and weeping in his mothers
room above caught his ear. In a moment he
sprang up the steep staircase, followed timid.
ly BY Lucy; but they both paused, in wonder
and curiosity, to see grandmother in her scar
let cloak and black bonnet, while Susan held
her fast with both hands, and gszed UP in her
face with deep sighs and fast-falling tears
She could not speak for weeping; so the old
woman had to explain all to Enoch and Lu
cy; smiling tendsrly and bravely upon them
while she told them, che was only going fol-
little while and that at soon as Susan wal
about again, they she aid come and fetch hel
out Of the poor-house any day they chose
As Enoch listened, his face grew pale to hii
very lps, and he clenched his fingers unit
the nails pierced painfully into his flesh.
"Oh, grandmother, and nurse and Enoch,
cried Lucy, I" wish | could have all tn,
trouble instead Of you Send me to the work
house, and keep Gear old grandma at home
should be happier there than thinking sh,
was gene for my sake. I'd rather bear al
the trouble than see you having it."
Dear heart u said Susan, drawing the
little, trembling child to her, "we couldu'i
let you go among those rough, rude boys and
girls they'd hnrt you, my dear, and that 'ud
hurt me more than anything Nobody will
hurt grandmother and she'll have a warn
fire to sit by all day long, and nothing to dc
but read the Bible. You shall wrap il up 70,
her, Lucy. in my lilac-spotted handkerchief
and then Enoch and she must start"
Enoch stood looking on while Lucy wrap
ped up the large Bible, and then put on he
own little black cloak and bonnet, ready {,
90 with him and grandmother on their sor
rowful journey. The sun had risen above III,
high buildings round Hills Close, and begur
It's brief shining before it went down again DO