Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-09-24
selctt storp.
OUT IN THE RAIN.

Sprinkle, rain, shower, right down
Millie Warmers tasteful little hat and
graceful shoulders, unprotected save by q
thin shawl, Notwithstanding the beseech'
ing glance Of the prettiest pair OF hazel
eyes that ever looked up to a cloud in
that way.
When Mile came to large white
farm house. she very gladly, and rather
haStily-for Just then there was heavy
peal of thunder-opened the gate and
went up the lower-bordered path TO the
honse and knocked for admittance. No
body answered. and a another peal OF
thunder was heard, accompanied by 3
vivid fash of lightning Millie entered
without ceremony. She took in at n
glance the contents ofthc room she came
to-a large square room, plainly but neat
" furnished-thc cane seat chairs, the
pretty chintz-covered lounge, bookcase
filed with books and sheet music; the Vi
oEn in its case in the corner. the vase OF
faded flowers. and the ornaments on the
mantle. There was no one there, but she
heard childish voice in the room. and
again Knocked. A dark-cyed girl of ten
or eleven years opened the door.
Millie explained why she was there.
With the ease and good manners OF one
much older, the child babe her welcome.
placed chair near the stove and took
Miles dripping hat and shawl.
Il was Just beginning TO get dinner.
that was the reason | didn't hear you
knock. 1t will be long time before the
shower is over, and you must stay with
us to dinner. 1t will be ready by the
time that Ben comes out that will not be
for an hour"
rs, dinnle's be weddy when Bentums
lisped and laughed little girl of three
years.
The older child, whose name was Het-
", resumed
i can't get very good dinner, | amt
quite old enough, but Ben says ! do nice
". He puts it on for me. and | see to it.
But he does not allow me To take off ket-
ties. Tor lear that | will burn or scald my
self but think | am large enough 10 do
that. like to have every thing ready for
him when he comes in tired and hungry.
| can't make biscuit wish could, for
Ben likes them ever SO much; but Mar
tha, who comes in TO make bread for US,
saws she will teach me-
Where is your mother" asked Millie
of the little Eva when Hetty was out OF
the room.
We is got no mudder but Ben, the lit
tie one lisped.
When Hetty came back, Millie said:
Now have got nicely warmed and
my dress will dry rs we'll ut work as sit
ting still so will help you get dinner.
If YOU like, will make some biscuit, and
we will have dinner ready in avery short
time
Hetty was delighted. Ben would be
glad Might she look on and learn how?
Millie was young, and frank, and gay,
and she and the children soon became
very well acquainted over the biscuit.
She said presently, trying potato with a
| fork
The potatoes are done. will pour
the water off so, then put them on again
TO dry. That will make them mcaly. In
few minutes we will peal them, and
then dinner will be all ready except TAX
ing it up
The dinner seemed very meagcr to lit
tie Hetty as she ran over the items in her
mind-potatoes, peas, pork, biscuit, but.
ter, cuoumberS, milk, water. She had
wanted 10 make tea for her visitor, but she
declined decidedly. The poor child said,
apologetically;
When father and mother were alive
we used to have good many things for
dinner. and Martha our hired girl, used
to get them all but when they died, and
Squire Johns said he bought mortgage
on our farm. and that we had got to pay
every cent the day it was due OIL lose ev-
cry thing. we had to do without good
many things, and we are very poor now
and Ben is afraid we can't have enough