Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1868-07-24

Il
child no larger than hersolr-a prottv-roced
girl, with gentle manners, but with n for
lorn look of neglect about her.
"This is Selma Stainsby, Aunt Christv-
ana" said Chrlsty.
"Oh well, you may pick stalk of cara
way for her and one for yourself" repliod
Miss Comfort, thrustlng her hoe with vio-
lence into the heart of thrifty pig-weed.
"Barnum's wife's work: but she will Ioso
hor trouble this time as well as the last -
thought Miss Comfort.
II was useless however, for her to try to
take no interest in the child. Tho sun
generally considered so impartial. allied
itself against her, making the garden too
hot drectly. Then the curiosity that was
in the heart of woman even before the fall
and Of which Miss Comfort inherited n
share like Bcnjamin's portion, allied itself
az INST her attempt at making herself in
O. erent to her visitor. She did wish to
f'e What stainsby's child was like. And.
seNltunately for her indiaore,rrvv, STAINS
5y's child seemed like very sweet and
attractive one. OH yes Mrs. Darnum knew
what she was about.
In half an hour the little girls were sitting
together eating caraway cookies on the
doorstep, not TO scatter crumbs on the
house4loor; and Miss Comfort was telling
them sorios and singing them old-fashion-
ed songs. They strung over the quaint,
bright bead necklace that she kept for Just
such entertainment; they looked at her
box Of chldrens books and old almanacs;
played with her pig and kitten; and went
away at last each with piece of plum-pio
as big rs her own face.
Miss Comfort could not help asking little
Selma to come again; and sure enough she
did, in little more than week. bringing
with her n younger sister, who was more
winning and loving than herself even, and
who looked even more motherless and neg
lected. Dear, little, dimpled Constance;
with mouth always ready to be kissed,
patient eyes, and hair that had as much
longing to curl as a grapevine, but that
had to be braided in two long queus and
tied with piece of faded green braid
Miss Comfort felt sorry all over for the
unmothered baby, and took her right into
the tendorest spot in her tender heart. She
curled her hair, made her rag-baby with
a "come off DRESS" an "open-and-shut fan"
of bit Of newspaper, picked her largest
peony for her, and only said "Be careful,
dear" when Constance dropped her bread
Misunderstanding upon the floor, but
ter-and-sugar side down.
Finally, as Miss Comfort sat in her best
gingham at the round tea-table between the
front windows of her sitting room, with
small Stainsby on each side, helping them
to cake and jelly, Constance cried out, with
little scream of joy, "Theres my papa
there's my papaw And slipping from her
chair like water over a rock, in moment
Miss Comfort, with a feeling of envy and
lonesomeness, saw her in Mr.. Stainsby's
arms, kissing him again and again, while
he passed his hand admiringly over her
beautiful curls and held her close to his
heart for n moment.
Then he put Constance down and took
the bas,y from the wagon. This baby was
two years old but something was the mat
ter with his back, so the poor thing had
never walked, and might never. And he,
as Mr.. Stainsby brought him in-dressed i'm
gown made of a high-colored large flower
ed one of his Grandmother's- the most
touching sight of all in his sweet helpless
ness.
"IIow much he looks like little brother
of mine who died at about his age! The
little dearl Do let me take him. Is he
afraid of strangers2" said Miss Comfort,
holding ont her hands.
The baby answered this question for
himself by reaching out his hands in re-
turn, and springing with glad cry from
his father's arms into Miss Comforts.
mammal mamma! Gomez said he,
nesting his head upon her neck.
There were tears in Miss Comforts eyes
as well as Mr.. Stainsbys as she stopped her
head to kiss the little white cheek.
"You have always reminded me of Paul's
mother, especially in your eyes" said
Pauls father. "But did not suppose Paul
remembered her. He was only eight
months old when she died"
The children not being through their sup
pers Miss Comfort, of course, had to ask
Mr.. Stainsby to eat with them; so he sat
down opposite her, and she poured his tea
with Paul, who clung to her, in her lap.
Constance dear, you are holding your
knife in the wrong hand. Let pa spread
your bread for you," said Mr.. Stainsby.
81 hope Miss Comfort you will excuse my
children's manners. Their grandma does
not think Of such things. But I wouldn't
mind that so much, if that was all. Child
rem are trying to old people, 1 suppose" he
added, with suggestive sigh.
As soon as they had finished their sup
pers Mr.. Stainsby began to tie on their bon
nets and pin on the shawls; but he did it
so awkwardly that Miss Comfort was glad
to come to his help.
81 wit Nit Tomfort would pit ON my tngs
every time. Te do ii more better" said
Constance.
Eyes, dear, so do l." replied her father.
"Oh will you, Nit Comfort2 My pa said
he wit you would" cried the child.
Miss Comfort made as If she did not hear,
but Paul was not SO easily disposed of. "No,
no! Mamma come! mamma comeW he
sobbed with baby grief, clinging fast to
Miss Comforts neck when his father tried
to take him.
"You see, Miss Comfort, how they need
youW said he, piteously. "If you only
Woud Gomez
"Do come! VIII you conner" asked
Constance, holding fast to Miss Comfort
Selma alone did not speak, but she look
cd up with hungry eyes that said as much
as all the rest.
"Well, well, l suppose must, then. But
you will have to go now, all of you, only
the baby, He can stay if he wants to-" said
Miss Comfort, desperately.
And so, as the children could wait nolong-
or, the very next week Miss Comfort went
Hdyper's Bdsar.
.IETCE (.EHl'.