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

ther visit Grandmother.
i Nonsense r. said Marie, opening her black
eyes to their widest extent. You 'ront bury
yourself up there in the country, instead ol
spending a gay month at Maud Z? :,
." don't know" said Kitty " rather thins
T shall like it, want to see that hetle oid
garden again, with the pinks in The corner.
wonder if grandmother plants marlgolds now'
And the long, winding bill, and the broken
wall, and the toll-gate, they will make me lee,
Just like little child again. And poor old
grandmother, her letter sounds as if she had
missed Us all these years. | shall pack up
little trunk. and start early Monday morning,
! if uncle is willing Then, if she shouldn't need
me very much when get there, I'll make
short visit, and perhaps get to Maud's party
after all. Her birthday comes the last OF the
month, you know" =.
Well, think you are foolish little goose."
said Lizzie airily. However, If you prefer
that old house with its broken windows to
Maud's palace Of home, why, its mere mat
ter of taste, aud wont hinder you"
"But what will Maud say p asked Marie,
endeavoring to follow oat the change OF pro-
gramme.
ooh she Won't care" said Kitty; "I'm not
half so necessary rs you and Lizzie. l had
nothing to do but to sing once or twice IN the
theatricals, and any of the others can take my
place. Anyway, Fam going togrmdmothers.
Par robiscum," muttered Ben, and strolled
away to his uncles smoking-room. SO On
Monday morning away went Marie and Lizzie
! to Join the gay company at Blakeslcy Hall, and
away went Kittie Also in the opposite drec-
tion. 10 visit the home of her childhood. She
travelled half day in the cars, and there
was long, tedious ride in the stage-coach,
which brought her at last, just at sunset, to her
grandmother's door.
"An old, broken-down place, indeed" muir
INJURED Kitty. "Ah, how shamefuIly we have
neglected her !" And lifting the door-la,ch, she
went softly in, and found her way to the kitcb-
| en-.
Was that Grandmother Carcw, that poor
feeble, bowed creature, who, with Troubling
hands, was laying few sticks on Che smoul-
dering fire.? She did not hear the steps coming
towards her
Grandmother, grandmo;her~ spoke a
clear, sweet voice in her ear "Tve come to
make you visit, grandmother"
The poor old lady started, and looked eager
ly in kitty's face.
Are ye one of my little children p she
asked tron9aloasly. "a wonsn grown !
wouldn't hardly know ye, dear. Which is It
Mari, or Liz? Oh, know that little wisbfnl
smile now-it's Kit, my own little Kit" And
reaching up to the bright young face above
her, she kissed it again and again, IN help
less, clinging way, that brought tears to kitty'S
eyes.
"And where's the rest ?" she asked, listen
ing as il she expected TO hear their steps crowd
ing at the door. :.
.'Tbey couldn't come, they were all so busy,
said Kitty, trying to speak cheerfully, you'll
have to be contented with just me, grandma
ther."
"See, I've got your little bed ready for ye,
said Grandmother Carew 81 knew yed
come!" And she pushed open the bedroom
door, SO that Kitty could see the clean old
patchwork quilt, and the white curtain, just
as of old.
0pm going to stay whole month, grand
mother" said Kitty; "and I'm going to tend
the gate, and make believe I'm little girl
again"
"And now tell me all the great things yevc
been doing" said Grandmother Carew, after
the meagre supper of tea, bread and honey, was
over and cleared away. SO Kitty told her, in
bright, brief way, the history Of the ten years
with their uncle-what they had learned, and
what beautiful things they possessed. 1t was
like tale of fairy-land to Grandmother Carew !
that evening was like the glory Of her life, to
hear such wonderful things of her seven little
bows and girls, aud to have Kitty there sitting
by her SO fondly.
'"Oh how cruel it would have been not to
come y thought Kitty to herself.
Kitty was more thankful than ever that she
had come. when the next day she realized how
feeble and how changed Grandmother Carew
was, and she began at once to try to take all
care away from her, with real enjoyment, too,
of the novelty of the situation. She put on a
plain calico dress, and a dainty apron, and
tripped about the house making things neat
and comfortable. When the farmers wagons
came numbering by now and then, sho ran out
and opened the great gate for them as OF Old,
and enjoyed the amazement OF tho honest
hearts when they learned that she was the lit
tie Kit Carew they bad known years ago.
She found pinks enough in the garden corner
to gather, aud poppies and marigolds were 10
| bpd. She went over the fields to call on good
| Mrs GRAY. and found ber as usual in her dairy,
making as famous butter and cheese as ever.
One day, as Kitty stood in the door, looking
I'D at the familiar windings of the long hill,
she saw q horseman riding slowly down. AS
he came up TO the gate, and stopped an instant
as If FOR some one to open it, she stepped qui-
etly out in the road and swung it back on Its
hinges. The moment be understood her move
ment he leaped to the ground to prevent her,
and apologized for causing her any trouble
She noticed how tired and dusty bis horse was,
and the young man himself looked as If he
were weary Of travelling. Meanwhile, he, too,
was regarding her, and thinking what sweet
young face this gentle keeper Of the toll-sate
had.
my horse is very thirsty" he said "and as
see there is spring Of water here, believe
| will let him drink"
He threw his arm over the neck Of the horse
as he led him ,o the spring, and NIFTY thought
to herself what nightly air be bad. 49,,
Wouldn't you like some water your'eii
she asked. ,cf
aTbank you." he replied, smiling; III !
copld have nv choice, / should much prefer
cIas. of milk. provided you have any in the
S"use SrU n snare. believe must wait here
few moments TO let my horse rest
81 will see If there is any milk, said Kitty,
stepping back into the house. bnt there was
no milk in the closet the little pitcher was
empty. How queer it is" thought Kitty
:" II reminds ne so Of that day, long ago. when
we were all little children, and lady wanted
some milk so much. that went over to Mrs.
Grav,s for il. 1t seems absurd to wait on a
young man no, but just for the sake OF the old