Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-04-10

From th. f'JrtIaai Transcript
BETTY DUCKETr.
TRuE Story OF LONG AGO.
ny MRS. v NJ. BNRsrOw.

As the years bear US onward in their rap.
III aisht. leaving the old for '.th. new"
the d,sirc oiitIne' ~ strong upon US. TO
'e'xc upon something OF the pas, to bear
along With W. IN hfe'. chtn.ciul Journey.
Oar rec-n, experience OF Jily h. 1866.
ha. taught u, that nothing of the past i,
really ou's, cxcrp, shat /, treasured in the
Hor.housc OF the memory
hnd there lad Away, many \ tale OF the
oldcn time. related TO m by those OF other
generstions-true stCrics-msny Of them
Stranger than even the Action, OF the present
day. The ds,iic TO give some OF these old
remembrances a local habita,ion IS my only
apology for the following simple story.
which was told TO ME by one personally ac.
qns'n,cd with the gentleman most INTEREST ed
in The event, re lated.
Many wears ago. before the colonies were
free from the rule OF Great Brit.iu. there
was daily seen in ih. streets OF Boston a
little girl going from house to house. with a
little bask-, on her arm her dress lin dsey.
-ool'ey pettieoat-short loose gown. chip
hat, tied under her chin. Probably there
were many other little girl, dressed after
the same style, going about tl,c streets a,
the same time. But this one Avn writing
about had singularly attractive face
plump. Io,y and mirihfui. The name my
little heroine bore. was the rather unmusical
on- OF Betty Dnckct. Perhaps her short.
r'lump figure. suggested her name | know
not how that might have been--but she was
known by no other name in the many fam.
IlIrs where her bright face was always well
come
Betty w, M inmate OF the Boston poor
house-lvit there. when quite little child,
by some unkno wn person. She was sup
posed to ie one Of those namcless little
waii, so often lrit to the cold cha-itirs Of
the world-but somehow her hrish, chubby
face aud happy disposition he'd made her
hvoriie even ia thc slm,- house. At the
tune my story commences she was some.
where between ten aud twelve wears OF age
--anh As she went from house to house in
the pursuit Of her daily ayocation lew there
were who had not q pleasant smile. or en-.
cOnraging rord for little Betty. Few we're
the houses size entered. where A good meal
was no, offered her. and the glow from
many a cheerful kitchen fire .heighien the
color Ut Bcuys cheeks.
The liilc basket she carried on her arm,
contained The implements Of her trade
think her ayOcAiion will have 10 be classed
with the lost arts for few think would
unIrrs anl what ] meant. when ] said. her
business was running buttons" IL seems
ge idea TO "a, OF the present genera
tiOr. when The creative genius IS taxed to
ITS utmost powers to produce 50 many styles
OF button. as the market offers us, Ia realize
that peWier buttons. run m different sized
moulds. were ever ~ general use for house
bold wear But it vas even So and the
bits Of pewter, melted by the cirrlessncss
OF servants rom porringrrs and pliuers-
or the dishes worn lhin 10y long use and the
frequent securing necessary to keep the
pewter 81 that looking glass state Of polish
90 desired by our grandmother. were re.
melted and made 10 10 duty in buuoning
our grandfather. wai,trod.. or the over.
coats Of the family So much for the button.
-ani when w. remember that every little
article had to be brought from the old coun