The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-02-08


have evory opportunity; I hope you
don't take me for heather. Is that
child crying? / hope she isn't one Of
the whimpering kind ~
The matron's cheek flushed little
as she whispered one or two cheering
words to Minnie.
And SO Minnie Groves little parcel
was packed, and her pink checked
sunbonnet tied on, and she meekly fol-
lowed Mrs Parker out os the wide
gateways that had sheltered her or
phanage SO long.
Minnie
Eyes, mann
"What are yop doing this morning?
Why haven't YOU cracked the nuts, and
polished the apples, and cleared the
ashes out Of the parlor CRATE, when
you know were going to have coInpa-
ny to dinner"
II should be late at church, ma
Fl have only just got ready now, and
the bells have stopped ringing, I'll
see that the work IS done after re-
turn.
Mrs Parker's gray eyes sparkled
baleinily
Take off your things, Miss, and
stay ut home. I've had quite enough
Of this running t. church, and this
shall be the last OF it.
Minnie's cheek flushed and then
grew pale
But Mrs Parker, YOU promised -
~ done care what l promised. You
axe indentuled TO me until you are
eighteen years old, and | intend you
shall earn your living. Not another
word but obey me.
And MIS- Parker stalked out of the
damp mouldy kitchen, with the air Of
a tragedy queen, while Minnie sat
down among tho pots and pans and
cned bitterly. During all her trials
and tribuatiOns the sweet sunshine of
the Sabbath day had cast its light
through all the drcary ensuing week
lit had been something to look for
ward to, to think Of, and to anticipate
Now its gentle influence was with
drawn roughly and abruptly, and Min
ME felt that she was indeed alone.
Minnie was dUstingthe parlor chairs
the next morning, as Miss Angelina
Parker sauuteled INTO the parlor in a
tumbled silk wrapper
Mamma she drawled, languldlv,
Il left my parasol down at Waters 5
on Saturday Can't Minnie go after
lt?' Its raining, said Mrs. Parker,
looking doubtfully out OF the window,
but
ltisnt raining very hard, and am
afraid it VIII be stolen
minnie, sand Mrs Parker authori-
tatiyely, put on Jour hat and shawl
and 90 TO Waters lace store at once
for Miss Angeles parasol
Minnie glanced out at the driving
torrent OF rain with sinking heart.
If | might wait until after the
shower, ma am. she pleaded in a low
voice.
Obey me instantly" calculated Mrs.
Parker, with an imperative stamp OF
her foot
50 Minnie went
Mamma, said Miss Angelina, a
day or two afterwards II didn't sleep
two winks last night with Minnie S
coughing l do wish you would put
"a stop 80 it.
Minnie, exclaimed Mrs. Parker,
turning round to the pale young girl,
who was polishing the windows, what
do you mean by disturbing Miss An
gelle @
Indeed, ma'am, I could not help
it, faltered poor Minnie, but my
cough was very bad indeed got so
drenched with the rain the other day
that -
pooh nonsense it's all af'ecta-
ton, every bit of it, said Mis-. Parker,
petulantly, THE idea of your put
ting on airs, and pretending to be an
invalid but Ill not endure any such
trumpery. Don't let us have occasion
to complain again.
All that weary night Minnie tossed
to and fro, trying to stihe her hectic
cough in the scant pillow, lest Miss
Angeline's pampered slumbers should
be disturbed, and wondering if all the
hOi4N nN0 40 g'Coo "hN bi'~i 40 'iS
brief glimpse she had already had
of it,
When she rose in the morning, pale
and unrested, with dark circles round
her eyes, and dizzy feeling in her
brain, the snow was piled high against
the attic window panes. and the wind
was shrieking in shrill gusts down the
street.
Minnie Minnie % echoed Mrs.
Parker's sharp, discordant voice up
the stairway, get your broom and the
snow shovel, and clear the snow of
the sidewalk Those loafing men
charge quarter for doing 1t, and you
may as well save the money for me -
Come make haste -
Its very cold, ma'am," pleaded
poor Minnie, land my head aches ter
rlbly.'
Stuff exclaimed Mrs. Parker. Il
won't have any hne-lady airs--the
fresh air is all you want. Be quick,
now, and you'll finish before it's time
to set the breakfast table
Half an hour subsequently, Mrs.
Parker was startle by brisk peal OF
her front door bell.
"Well, what's wanting now?" she