Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-10-27
Charity.
A Story that begins at Home and ends at
Home.

|
Home.
"And now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity
but the greatest of these is Charity"
II is hopeful sign in a young man
when his meditations on heavenly vir.
tues are so deep and earnest as tp
cause him almost unconsciously to re
peat aloud to himself passages of Ho-
| ly Writ, as did DR.. Norton, riding
slowly home in his sulky, one clear
June afternoon,the above quoted verse,
But when we con6de to you that he
had just come from well-to-do farmer
Abbott's, whose three coming daught-
ers were severally named Faith, Hope
and Charity, it may reasonably be
doubted whether the handsome young
doctors meditations were as much on
heavenly virtues as on earthly.
1t was rather a pretty tableau that
he interrupted when he stepped into
the Abbott's cozy sitting-room, that
afternoon, and somehow its memory
haunted him still. The wheels of his
light sulky made no noise as they roll
ed over the grassy lawn in front of
the house, and with all the freedom
OF an intimate acquaintance he sprang
lightly to the steps, then in through
the open door, without knocking, and
was in their midst before they knew
him to be anywhere near. Now
Charity, the youngest of the sisterly
trio had that very day purchased a
pair of new gaiter boots and at the
very moment when he darkened the
doorway, was exhibiting them for the
opinion of her mother and sisters
Sc she stood in the middle of the room
her dress raised just far enough to
show the trim boots, a little strip of
snowy stocking, and. above all, the
falntest suspicion of dimity ruff1ing.
Down went the dress, however, when
she suddenly saw her trio of specta-
tors changed to quartette, and up.
up to the very verge of her brown
hair, mounted the rosy bushes; but
the burst Of laughter from her mother
and sisters at her discontinue, reused
her to cOmpOsure. "I'd like to know
your opinion on my new boots, Or.
Norton" said the little puss, saucily,
walking up to him determined to face
it out bravely, and thrusting forward
one dainty foot.
Hum, we'll" said the doctor, with
as much gravity as though he were
pronouncing on case of malignant
typhus, "let US see. Cloth. but that's
no objection ifyou will always remem-
Der your rubbers in the damp. Heel
rather too high; if | were cobbler
IA tni'~ ~g ILL 49, - e .I.-., -.
perhaps you'll stand it if you've been
used to that sort of thing. Don't
pinch anywhere, do they? Consump-
tion soled ? No, as | live, good, hon
est half-inch soles think they'll do,
Miss Charity
"What is your consultation fee ?"
said Charity, gravely pulling out
neat pOrtmonnaie.
Give dollars in so important a
case as this" replied the doctor sub
siding into cOzy rocking chair, shut
don t pay me the money, I'll take this
chair for few moments, and a glass
Of water, and call it even:" so Chari-
ty went for the water. When she
came in with it: he was just making
known his errand.
i've been to see old Mrs. Wells.
She is very low, won't last much Ion
ger, but the family are all worn out,
and | agreed to send watcher for
tonight. So l called to see if one of
you ladies wouldn't 60"
81 can't I'm sure" said Mrs. Alb
bott, promptly. | haven't been able
to watch for years, but one of the girls
could CO." | shouldn't like to 90 in
to such place, said Faith, "they are
so poor and everything seems so diSa.
greeable there" and her handsome
lace expressed such lofty disdain that
for a moment Dr. Norton felt quite
ashamed that he had ever made such
a suggestion to one so gracefully fas
tidiOus.
II should really be afraid to CO."
and Hope raised her soft, blue eyes,
timidly to him. "What if the poor
creature should die in the night ?"-
Hope Abbott looked just what she was
a gentle, confding girl, and we must
pardon our young hero, if the thought
did pass through his head, what a
pleasure it would be to cherish and
protect one so lovely all his life.
'1ll go, said Charity, quietly, "I'm
not afraid, and if the place is disagree
able can endure it for one night
Even if the poor creature should die,
| can call the family" ayes, certain
ly," said the outer Doc. Norton, while
the inner man was saying, viz: "Most
sensible of the three sisters Behold
true Charity!' "Im very glad to
have found suitable watcher for the
night, and also much obliged to you,
Miss Charity" said he, as he took his
leave a few moments after. "The fam
lily will tell you all about the medi-
cines and drinks, and / shall be over
myself in the morning, unless | hear
of her death previously. Keep up
good courage, and take good care OF
yourself. Good day." And with a
wave of his hand to the whole family,
he whirled away in cloud of dust,
the noble, prepossessing young doctor
whom half the girls were breaking
their hearts for, but who, as they in
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