Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-04-28

mense check apron, and not a sign of hoop
Bertha she looks like some of the little old
lady pin-cushions that I've seen, and she
makes such queer mouth, when she talks.
She hasn't a tooth in her head, has she and
| guess they didn't teach grammar when she
went to school, Why do you let her wear
that kind Of nightcap all the old ladies
know wear black lace caps, with ribbons.
And ] thought | should laugh outright when
she made that little dip Of a courtesy"
But she is real old said Bertha, depro-
catingly, " and she has lived in the country
most of her life"
d" | should think she had come from the
backwoods | wonder she doesn't make you
wear hum-kit stockings or don't you
scour yours out mazin fast p o dear %
" 1t is not right to laugh at an old person, /"
Bertha said, summoning all her courage yet
she was mortified and humiiated in the cx.
treme.
Oh ! don't mean anything, you know
only its so funny You ought to see ny
grandmother She is nearly eighty, believe,
but she only owns 70 seventy"
Bertha was too deeply hurt to make any
comment. Then Ada kissed her and coaxed
her into good humor, telling her Of the en-.
joyments Aunt Bell had iu preparation.
When they returned to the room, Mrs. Bell
was preparing to leave, and the carriage
stood at the gate.
" We have decided upon Thursday, Ada"
Mrs. Bell said TO her niece and, Miss Ber-
tina, ] have coaxed your grandmother to pay
me a visit | think a pleasant old lady, in
possession of all her faculties is rare good
company quite a treat to me. Now Mrs.
Gilbert, | shall send the carriage, and you
will be sure not to disappoint me, if you are
well go
" You are very kind, indeed !" and old
Mrs. Gilbert gave another little dip Of
courtesy"
Bertha looked amazed.
She was very quiet after their visitors had
gone. Her mother appeared to admire Miss
Frances Wilson, and grandma said Of Mrs.
Bell " She's a tender true-heartcd Christian
lady"
" Mamma" Bertha said the next day,
when they were alone; " couldn't you fix
grandma up a little to 90 to Mrs. Be's2"
Why, she has a nice brown silk dress to
wear, and a clean cap aud kerchief"
" But she looks so--so-.old fashioned"
" My dear, she is an old fashioned lady.
think She looks a great deal prettier than to
be dressed like people thirty or forty years
younger than she is"
" But"
90 Bertha you are not ashamed Of dear
grandmother ?" and Mrs. Gilbert looked at
her daughter in amazement.
Berthas checks flushed, and tue tears came
to her eyes.
Ny little daughter, am deeply paincd !"
Some way the story came out, and Bertha
sobbed away her mortified feeling.
My dear Bertha p! her mother had said
Sc | am disappointed to see you evince so lit
tie true courage and warmth Of heart. Ada
Wilson has certainly shown herself very i'll
bred and heartless in thus criticsing so old a
person to one of her own relatives. | am
not sure but that it would be better to de-
cline the invitation altogether"
" O mamma do not think Ada meant
any real harm. She laughs at the girls, and
mimics everybody; but she's real good and
generous, for all that. And grandma does
make mistakes
Bertha, when you are tempted to despise
your dear old grandmother, | want you to
think of her life-a little girl, twelve years
old, going to work in a mill, to help her
mother take care of her younger brothers and
sisters, and then afterward taking the whole
charge Of the family upon herself. Fifty
three years ago she married plain farmer,
and went West, into what was wilderness
at that time la her turn she was left a wild
ow with large family, and | shall always
honor her for the wisdom she displayed. 1t
would be hard to find four better men than
your uncles and papa Aunt Bessy was poor
! and had a great deal Of trouble, but grandma
staid with her TO the very last, and now she
has come to me. really don't know what
should do without her, and her life has been
most praiseworthy in every respect To-day
She would give her life for any of US. Sup
pose she were cross and fretful, and thought
as some old ladies do, that we ought to work
every moment, and never take bit of pleas.
ant recreation She is a genial, tender-heart.
ed woman, serving God and doing good every
day Of her life, and | am sure Mrs. Bell hon.
ors her
Suppose, Bertha, that began to fret at
her old fashioned ways, the cap she loves to
wear, and the manner in which she expresses
/ herself2 1t would make her nervous and
timid and if she thought we were growing
ashamed of her, really believe her heart
would break. Would you be willing to give
her such wound ?"
No." returned Bertha, sobbing. " Dear
grandma !"
4" | think the commandment to honor ones
/ father and mother takes in ones grandparents
/ equally. And most of all, | want to see my
little daughter brave enough to respect true
worth, even if it is not clad in fashionable
garments, and fresh from school"
Bertha began to think she had been very
weak and foolish and after nice long talk
with her mamma, she resolved that Ada should
never speak so disrespectfully in her presence
again.
And so, when Mrs. Bells carriage came
they started on their visit, grandma looking
as fresh and sweet as a rose. For all she wa,
wrinkled, her skin was white and clear, and
her soft brown eyes were overhowing will
love.
Mrs. Bell welcomed them warmly but She
took possession Of grandma while the young
folks amused themselves. Such lovely
house as it was, and full Of curiosities, beau
tiful pictures, handsome statues, and elegan
furniture Bertha felt as if she was in fairy
land.
Some unexpected visitors came in the ai
ternoon, and Bertha found her grandmother
quite the center ofattraction She overheard
one lady say What charming old lady
Mrs. Bell | feel like enyying her relatiyes3 =
As for Ada, she made no further remarks