Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-04-13
And she said

going man. But ten minutes after he pu
on his hat and coat, and went in quite al
opposite direction, and never came back un
til half past twelve.
Of course Araminta was in q pet that
afternoon, which was to be expected. But,
as | told the girl, who knew what odd sect
Mr. Ashton might belong to-? He bad ira
veled, and travelling appears to unsettle
peoples minds on religious subjects.
Poor AramIuta She had said that she
had half mind to give up Mr.. Ashton, and
marry young TompkIns, who really did adore
her
The next week. however, Mr.. Ashton
seemed 70 be as devoted as ever. There was
more sewing, and Araminta insisted on hav-
ing LiddY Lizer Of afternoons, and he read
more poetry. He drew, It seems, and asked
leave to sketch her as she sewed.
When be was done he would not let her
sec it because it did not suit him but
/ peeped into hi PORTFOLIO the next day, and
saw that he had really been dissatisfied. for
he had rubbed Araminta's portrait almost
out, and left only Llddy Lizer sitting on
bench at her feet.
The boldness of that Liddy Lizer, VOW
never half knew what it was until about
| flower planting time. | went unexpectedly
| into the garden, and saw the girl, with
seeds and roots IN her hands, talking to Mr..
/ Ashton-some rubbish about loving flowers,
and feeling that that they were her friends.
Ma said Araminta, Its very plain
Mr.. Ashton is in love, but he don't say any
thing. | can't tell why
..You don't lead him on. ! SAID.
''Tompkins don't need any leading on
ma, said Aramlnta.
1t was provoking Mr.. AsAton had been
there six months. and Afaminias : ni.lners
bulls were frightiul. Liddy Lizer was past
seventeen now, ABSOLUTELY refused t. wear
aprons at all, and would put her hair back
with combs and let il grow. She was hau-
dy, too, and made herself look all, gcther
too fxy Tor hired girl. just then, too,
she started up 70 20 70 Sunday evening
meetings: and what with the minister's
,giic, and the knowledge that she was quite
near the end Of her time with me and very
useful. let her have more of her own way.
Besides. | had not so much time TO think of
her My mind was full of Araminta's 5
prospects.
At last one night-a Sunday, IN the first
Of May-Araminta sand
Il am going to find out what Mr.. Ashton
does with himself Sundays"
Well, the child came home at half past
nine, pale as a ghost.
Mother, l followed Mr. Ashton. and he
went to a Methodist meeting"
is that all?'' asked.
"No. ma, - said Minty; "wai; a minute.
lie sat in the middle aisle, and went into F.
the gallery. and pretty soon 1 saw Liddy F.
LIzer come IN, and march up the aisle and
scat herself beside him, and they spoke, and .
looked on the same book, and, ma, he saw
her home
You mean she followed on after him, .
suppose"
'.No. ma she took his arm
could not sleep all night for thinking OF /
Al daybreak went down stairs. There
was Liddy Lizer frying fritters for the early |
boardcrs She looked up, and said
Good morning"
Can YOU have the face to speak to me
| said. '.sYou are found out. miss ; your
character Is known at last. know why
you 60 to church SO much.
She blushed, but said nothing.
MY house is a respectable one, and III
have no ill-behaved creature here. Your
time Is up in a week; find place by then,
and take yourself of then-soCner If you
can
She did not fire up, but said.
.'Yes, ma am. "
Not another word, only "a Yes, ma am -
And it made me so angry that struck her.
And then | turned. and saw Mr.. Ashton
looking at us from the hall.
A week went by. and on Saturday LlddY
Lizer came TO me and said, quite coolly
s.You wouldn't mind my leaving this
evening, presume. Mrs. Trab?''
.sThe scorer the better" | replied
An hour after, she came to say Good
"Go3d-bye, Liddy Lizor." said, " only
don't come to me for a character, for could
not give YOU one
II shan't come, Mrs. Trab,' she said,
and went away as a lady might with a little
polite bow Cook followed, and came back
to tell me sht had rome 10 the minister's.
''Araminia.' | sand after tea, " it's plain
that Liddy Lizer has deceived Mrs. Scran-
tum. It's our duty to 20 around and let
her know what the girls real character Is.
Our duty as Christians, Minty." So we
went.
The minister's house was ligl ted up, and
peeping through the window we saw that
the parlOrs were full.
"A donation party or something. | said.
'Methodlsts are always having such things.
Wen Just make ourselves sociable and find
a chance TO tell Mrs. Scrsntum as If by ac-
cidcnt- Strangers are always welcome at
such times
So We went in. The servant ut wasn't |
Liddy Lizer) asked Us to step up stairs and |
take off our things. And then We went
down into the parlor.
Why, ma" said Araminta, it's a
wedding |
And sure enough, Mr.. Scrantum stood in
the middle of the floor, with a couple beside
him.
''Mr. Ashton, ma" whispered Araminta.
And-oh. goodness gracious just then the
bride stepped around so that could see her,
and wonder didn't drop to the floor. for |
it was Liddy Lizer And Mrs. Scrantum's
sister was her bridesmaid.