Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-28
Eyes Open.


Our minister said in his sermon last even.
ing, said Mrs. Beach, the wife of prosper.
ous wholesale dry goods merchant on Market
street, as she busted her mantel of porcelain
and marble on Monday morning that he who
wanted to be good, must be on the constant
lookout for opportunities; that God does not
find our work, and bring it ready fitted and
prepared to our hands, but he spreads the
world before us, and we are to walk through
II as Christ and the apostles did. with ewes
open, looking for the sick and suffering, the
poor and oppressed.
Now, l am certain, continued the lady, as
she replaced marble Diana in the centre of
the mantel, " should like to do some good
every day-one feels so much better when
they 60 to rest at night, and I'll Just keep my
eyes open to-day, and see if come across
any opportunities, that under ordinary cir.
-soSsIssssesooe ehosld lot clip
Half an hour later, Mrs. Beach was in the
nursery with the washer-woman, who had
come for the clothes.
Il wish, Mrs. Simms," said she, as she
heaped the solid linen into the basket " that
you would get Tommys aprons ready for me
by Wednesday; we are going out of town to
remain until Saturday, and | shall want a
good supply on hand for such careless little
scamp as he is"
"Well, I'll try, ma am" said the washer
woman. I've got behind hand good deal
since Sammy got the whooping-cough, but
now he is better, | must try to make up for
lost time"
{" Has he had the whooping- cough? Poor
little fellow How old is he ?" questioned
the lady
" He was three last April, Fam"
And Tom is four, unused the lady. Look
here, Mrs Simms, won't you just open the
lower drawer of that bureau, and take out
those four green worsted dresses in the cor
ner Toms outgrown them, you see, since
last winter, but they're almost as good as
new. Now, il you want them for little
Sammy, they'll do nicely without altering, l
think
Want them, Mrs. Beach !" answered the
washer-woman, with tears starting into her
dim eyes" | haven't any words to thank
you, or tell you what treasure they'll be.
Why, they will keep the little fellow as warm
as toast all winter"
"WclI, I'll place them upon top of the
clothes, said the lady, smiling to herself as
she thought, "my eyes have been open once
to-day
Not long afterwards Mrs. Beach was on
her way to market, (for she was a notable
housekeeper,) when she met a boy who had
lived a short time in her family the year be-
fore, to do errands, wait on the door, etc.
He was bright, good-hearted, merry-faccd
boy, and had been great favorite with the
family, and Mrs. Beach had become interest
ed in him but this morning she was in quite
a hurry, and would have passed the child
with a cordial but hasty, +" How are you,
Joseph, my boy2 Do come up and see US"
had il not struck her that Joseph's face did
not bear its usual happy expression. She
paused as the memory of last nights sermon
flashed hrough, and she asked, " Is anything
the matter with you, Joseph 7"
The boy looked up moment with half
con6ding expression, into the lady's face;
the latter triumphed. /" Mr.. Anderson has
moved out of town." he said, pushing back
his worn, but neatly brushed cap from his
forehead $50 I've lost my place, and little
Mary's sick and that makes it very bad just
now"
$50 it does" answered Mrs Beach, her
sympathies warmly enlisted. "But never
mind, Joseph | remember only night be-
fore last my brother said he should want
a new errand boy, in few days, for his
store. and he'd give good one two dollars
per week. Now, I'll see him to-day, aud get
the situation for you if you like"
The boys white face frightened, "Oh ! |
should be so glad of it, Mrs Beach"
"And see here Joseph, I'm going to mar
ket, and, perhaps eau find something nice
for little Mary" The lady remembered
that Josephs mother, though a poor seam
stress, was very proud woman, and felt that
this would be very delicate way OF present.
ing her gift.
80 she found some delicate pears and grapes,
and nice chicken to make some broth ior
Mary, who as she learned, was i'll with fever
before she proceeded to do her own marketing
But II was pity that the lady did not see
Joseph, as he sprang into the chamber where
little Mary lay YEARLY moaning on her
bed, while her mother sat buslly stitching IN
one corner, and held up the chicken and fruit,
crying, 'good news good news I've got all
these nice things for Mary, and aPlace at two
dollars week !"
Oh how little Marys hot fingers closed
over the punches Of grapes, while the sewing
dropped from her mothers fingers, as the
tears ran dowa her cheeks.
II was evening, and Mrs. Beach sat in the