Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-02-03

for the last two winters"
p" llumph The next time | call at the
handsomest house on Bently Avenue shall
expect to find the drawing room crowded with
just such little rapscallions as hat"-and ht
pointed to a dirty-faccd, tow-headed urchin
by the roadside" and Miss Rachel Grey
playing the part Of a miuistcring angel Come
Rachel, be good child, and give up these
new-iangled notions There is such Jolly
set of US, and twill spoil every thing if you
90 to putting on airs and playing the Sisters
Of Charity"
d" will try not to shock your tastes or
your sensibilties, Charley shall do moth
ing ultra and do not intend making a
martyr or q recluse Of myself But my mind
is made up. If it be putting on airs to
say that [ have led hitherto frivolous, use.
less life, and to feel that if would save my
own soul alive | must hcnceiorth do something
to make other lives better and happier, then
must put them on
The horses had struck the payements again,
and the noise and tumult Of the great city
soon drowned their voices. Charles Man
ming left his cousin at the door Of the hand e
soonest house on Bently Avenue aud went
his way wondering what had come over Ra-
ehel and comforting himself with the thought
that this fancy Of hers would last Just two
weeks
The Greys Of Bantly Avenue were poor.
rich peoplc--a class Of which every town aud
city Of our land holds far too many. People
who, while living handsomely, entertaining
elegantly, keeping an army Of servants, and
making fine appearance generally, are yet
poor, because living beyond their income
aud perpetually harrassed by the question Of
ways and means Rachel had long ago learned
that while whatsoever was required for show
whether furniture, dresses, plate or jewell
ry, was sure to make its appearance, by hook
or by crook--the comfort of little ready.
money in her purse was often denied hor,---
( Despite her well appointed chamber and her
elegant wardrobe she often felt poorer than
the maid who dressed her hair For the lat
ter had her wages, independently hers, to
keep or to spend precisely as she chose
[ When Rachel, after year or two in soci-
ETY. awoke one day-whether aroused by out
side influences, or by the growth of her own
| pirtual nature--to new sense of response
bility, she looked about her for something to
do. There was work enough The fields
were whitening with the harvest, and the la.
borers were few But hers were slight, girl
ish hands unused to toiling for herself or for
others What burdens could she lift p what
sheayes could she bind with those small fin
gers
Little children with white, wan faces and
tender limbs that shivered in the wintry blast
cr,pt past her in the streets, or shrank away
from cruel blows and cruel words, to hide be-
hind the dry goods boxes, or to crouch in the
shadow of some stately dwelling But she
could not take them to her luxurious home,
to wash and feed and clothe them. That was
out Of the question. There was little danger
that Charley would ever find the drawing
room of which he had spoken converted into
an alms-house
If she could only economic, she thought,
as she sat by her window, and looked out into
the night But how? She had nothing to
do with apportioning the household expenses;
and as to her wardrobe-why, the credit Of
the family must be maintained. No scrimp-
ing and saving in that direction was her faith
er's command, and she knew that it must be
obeyed.
What then could she do?
She went to sleep ponderng the question
and she awoke repeating it as earnestly as he
who of old cried to Paul and Silas, Sirs,
what shall | do to be saved 2 In at the
eastern window streamed the morning sun,
gliding the cornces and the pretty nick-nacks
upon the dressing table, and lighting up a
small picture that hung upon the wall above
her bed. Rachel looked at it for long time,
while her eye kindled and her heart beat tu.
multuously. \ sudden thought had come to
her like an inspiration.
" | can paint" she said in low, eager
voice " That little picture took the first
prize at Madam BIS and know can
do better things now. have not lived all
these years for nothing and at last have
found my work. i had a gift for painting,
they said, when was a schoolgirl. will
use it to some purpose henceforth, and God
helping me, some homes shall be brighter,
some child-hearts happier because | have
lived"
Soon after breakfast, in an unnoticeable
bonnet and cloak, with her second best furs
on, and thin, brown paper parcel under her
arm, Rachel Grey entered the store Of a pie
ture dealer i'll the lower part Of the city, and
asked to see the proprietor. She was shown
into the counting room. As the door closed
behind her tall, gentlemanly man wheeled
round from the desk where he was sitting,
with an air that said more plainly than words,
" Be as expeditions as possible, for am in
great hurry"
Il will not detain you long, sir, said Ra-
che bowling II called merely to ask you
what this nicture is worth "
The gentleman took the little painting, cast
careless glance upon it, then scrutnized it
more closely, then studied the young girls
face an instant.
Is it your own work ?" he asked plac-
ing it in a favorable light and looking at it
through his hand.
" Yes" she answered. "it was painted
when | was a school girl. | think could do
better now"
" Finished up by your teacher" he asked,
still continuing his observations.
No, Sir no pencil but my own so much
as touched it." she answered, her face flush
ing.
81 meant no offence" he said smiling.
" Only | know such things are done some
times, This is very fine picture Is it for
sale ~
81 should be unwilling to part with that"
she replied &" value it for its associations.
But can paint another like it, if you wish"
81 do wish it decidedly" was the answer,
" if you can be content with moderate pay
ment. Neither painters nor poets can expect
to receive what their work is really worth
nowadays, unless they have some reputation
which you have not | conclude ?"
She shook her head.
al shall be satisacd, for the present at
least" she said, "with whatever you choose
to pay me-"
Then you may bring me copy of this
as soon as you please. And let me see what
ever else you may do. | will pay you all |
can aford--as much as you can get any
where"
Rachel's heart bounded as she hastened home.
At last she had found something to do. Her
idle, useless, aiInless life, her day of waiting