Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-29
CHARIESTOWN THURSDAY APRIL 29, 1867

presently she came back, bringing the hItie
pitcher full of sweet milk, which she poured
into glass and gave to the lady.
"Oh. thank you, my DEAR exclaimed the
lady. taking it eagerly, and drinking It with
evident relish. "That is so refreshing |
think there is nothing in the world SO nice as
sweet milk. Take some, Harry"
But Harry would not take Guy. lie wanted
his mother to have it all. .,
Now, what shall give you, child 2 asked
the lady: " have only little money in my
nurse. and am afraid shall need 1t all before
we get home" But she put her hand IN her
pocket. as if she hoped to find something there.
kit blushed, aud said she did not want any
thing at ALL 49,.
"Givc her your pretty handkerchief, mo-
ther," whispered ile boy " that one that you
worked lilies on in the corner.
The lady smiled, and drew out dainty
handkerchief, embroidered with three graceful
sprays of lilies of the valley. She did not care
much for such things now.
"There. then. take that, il you will, my
dear" she said kindly, putting it in Kits brown
hands. and then Harry drew up the reins, and
away they went.
Liz wanted the pretty handkerchief for her
self, but Grandmother Carew locked It up IN
her chest of drawers, and said il should DC Kept
for Kit to carry to meeting, when she was SIN
teen.
The seasons went and came. Grandmother
Carew wove carpets and struggled to maintain
her great family, looking forward to the day
when the boys would be old enough to take the
burden from her shoulders. But another day
IL hon tho burden
was taken off all of a sudden, in way no one
had dreamed Of; for rich old bachelor, the
children's uncle on their mothers side, whom
they had never seen and scarcely heard of, being
in a lonely mood one day. bethousht himself
of their existence, and forthwith posted letter
to Grandmother Carew, saying he would as
sumo the charge of his seven nephews and
nieces. and make them his heirs.
SO the children were sent TO him, every one
lie pronounced them young savages, on their
arrival, fitted them out with fashionable cloth
ing at once, and packed them all of TO board
ing school, both boys and girls.
Meanwhile, poor old Grandmother Carew
was left desolate, and BOW she did not care
whether she had carpets to weave or not, for
there was no one dependent on her any longer,
and she sorey missed her noisy troop of chill
dren. She had nothing to do but feed her
chickens and mind the tol-gate; but every time
she looked mp or down che long stretch of turn
pike road, she wished she could see her trouble
some little folks coming back again.
PART ..
A handsome young fellow In velvet sport
ing coat, whistling gay opera air, came into
the little boudoir where two of his sisters were
sitting. Itwas aluxurious room, ,oak-paneled,
and its furniture covered with damask, golden
brown. that seemed to tone the very atmos-
phere down to richness.
"Here's the oldest thing, Marie p he ex-
claimed, and young lady, who was reclining
languidy on the sofa, with an unread volume
cf "Ouida" by her side, lifted her dreamy,
dark eyes, and asked what the matter was.
"a letter, in uncles care, directed to 1.-The
Carew Children" so took the liberty of open
ing IL. From Grandmother Carcw, yon know.
She's getting feeble, fancy, and wants some
of us to come up there to see her. Regular
bore. isn't it? I've hardly thought Of the old
lady these ten years But | suppose some Of
you girls will have to 60"
E" Let ms see the letter, Ben" said the other
sister, dropping the zephyr scarf she was knit
ting, and coming forward.
"Indced, then, we shall not go' exclaimed
Marie. half reused outof herlanguor. "lnever
should think Of s,ych thing! Away up there
in that heathenish country, in that old gray
barn of house never want to cit again"
Don't speak i'll of the place that's sheltered
you," said her brother, with mock gravity
" | can't 60, of course; I'm off for the noun
tains: and as for Diah, he wouldn't leave the
Office now for ten thousand dollars. Sue and
James are shut up in school; SO don't see but
you'll have to go, Marie; it would be what
they call-heartless, ch ?-wouldn't it, not to
grant the old lady's requests"
Il don't know what you mean by heartless,
Ben Carew," said Marie, sinking iudolently back
among the cushions. You can just as well
give up your mountain trip as we our visit to
Maud Biakesley. We agreed long ago to pass
midsummer thcre-Kitty, Lizzie, and land
all the arrangements are made. Maud is to
meet us at the Greenglade depot with her car
rirgc, next Monday
"What solemn conclave." cried an arch,
merry voice at the door, and in came fiuttering
an airy figure, dressed in the height Of the
fashion. with puffs and paniers, and wonderful
crimped hair. "Are you rehearsng for the
BlakesIey theatricals? Oh, Kitty, wont we
have lovely, lovely time ?"
al don't know" answered Kitty, rather alb
sently; and she handed her sister the letter
which she had read herself over twice. " Just
look at this, Lizzie"
"What is it?" exclaimed the young lady,
glancing at the writing. "What! GrandmO-
iher Carew wants us to come back to her -
How ridiculousl Ugh it makes me shudder
to think of the rags she used to dress US in"
"But think how hard she had to work all
the time" interposed Kitty. "Poor old grand
mother how she used to send the shuttle to
and fro through all that endless weaving. Do
YOU remember that favorte check pattern,
barred with red? wonder how many miles
all those yards of carpet that she wove would
reach ?"
"Well. at all events" pursued Lizzie, tap
ping her little foot, one of us must write and
tell her We can't come. Marie, is your gold
colored satin ready to pack2 Your maid says
she wants everything ready before she begins
to fold"
"Tell her TO be careful of the lace" said
Marie. indolently. 81 shall let her see to
everything. Kitty, has your white tulle been
sent home from Madame lie Gals? 1t will be
such sweet thing to wear at Maud Blakeley' s
birthday patty. HarwoOd Blakesley is coming
home to Greenglade on purpose for the occa-
sion. You've never seen him, Kitty. On,
but isn't be elegant?'
"Look ont, Marie" said Ben, laughing
Lizzie has spoken for him for herself, or
don't know what that unaccustomed blush