Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-04-01
The Old Apple woman's Philoso-
ply.

1t was only an old woman-a wrinkle,
little old woman, whose youth had beer
Jerked from her cruelty by hardship
friendlessness, and trouble upon trouble
Yet there was no trace of these upon he
countenance. The look resting ther,
was of to day-a look of commonplace
recurring needs easily TO be met as Ions
as she was sharp and held her own il
this apple and chestnut-eating world
All traces of old-time longing and dis
appointment had passed away; even the
questioning, weary look was gone. The
only shadows that came and went were
when some lounging passer-by, after
glancing at her corner stand as if hall
tempted, went ON his way without buy.
ing; or when sudden chill, in the ali
made her think, with well.to-do regret
OF that other faded, grimy old shawl at
home, with shavings tied up in it. The
little 6oot-black near by had been trou-
blesome; but she had conquered him one
morning early, whether by words or
blows none but she and he knew but il
had been once for all, as she thought,
with queer wag of her head, while
looking over at him. More than this,
her ambition had, in sense, been salts
fed.
The stylish old fellow near by, with
stencils for marking ladies' and gentle
mems linen, had lately unbent with a
Good morning, marm !" and even the
orange man at the corner, licensed
vender, with son established on the
Tenth Avenue cars, didn't mind oblig-
ing her now and then, in neighborly
fashion, In the matter of small change.
Then there were certain customers whose
wont it was to sometimes throw kindly
word with their pennies. We were of
these, and so it was tina. we had come to
know little of her. We knew of her
rheumatics coming on dreadful in the
damp spells, and how uncertain apples
were, bought bushel clean from them
market-men, not givin' body SO much
as chance to find out if they run fair
to the bottom. We knew, too. how sassy
gentlefolks' boys could be, grabbin' at
an honest woman's nuts afore one knew
but how newsboys were centrally the
soul of honor, particular as could be, sir,
wantin' full measure always, but you
could trust 'em for a month and again.
how the perlice had to be civil and
straight to decent bodies, because there
was law for them too, SO there was.
These things we knew; but we did not
know that the old woman was to preach
our New Years sermon.
"Quart, sir?"
No, pint; can't carry so much"
Sorry, sir; cause I find it easier car
ryin' the price of quart than a pint"
Hal ha! likely enough, my good
woman (tossing her twenty-five cents)
no, no, never mind the change and
happy New Year to you!''
=" Same to You. sir, and thank you
kindly; but your honor's safer wishin' it |
than me"
"Ah How do you make that out?'
Why, you see, sir, I'm settled in be-
in poor and hard workin'. I'm settled,
made up my mind to it; don't ask no
more of the Lord than to keer for me as |
he is keerin', savin' it's sometimes a
little cold O. nights. But I'll be bound,
sir, taint SO with you gentry. You're
fatted into frettin' for more, and such as
me is tempered down. We get good
hearty satisfaction out of bite of most
we do; and what's more, we
know as how, if we're honest and heart.
some, and gives good measure, and says
our prayers O. nights, we'll rise up af er
the end of it all bout as much angels as
rich folks. That's what l mean to say,
sir. But, bless me! l amt jabbered as
much as this'n long time, no more I
amt. But you looked sort O. troubled,
sir, an I'm thinkin' the troubles of rich
folks amt in the things about 'em, nor
yet in the air above, but it's in 'emselves
not bein' settled what's come to 'em.
Now you, little boy, what you want?
No, them specked ones is only cent
but don't handle 'em an make 'em
worse'n they are already"
We passed on, she meantime nodding /
4 farewell that had no smile in it. yet {
hat somehow was strong with the cheer
ng assurance that if one were honest
and heartsome, and gave good measure,
md said his prayers o nights, he might
-ise up at the end an angel of some sort
litter all.--Hours at Rome. i.
CHEERFUL PEoPLE.-God bless the
,heerful person, man, woman, or child,
I'D, young, illiterate, or educated, hand
ome or homely. Over and above every
,ther social trait stands cheerfulness.
What the sun is to nature, what God is
~ IL Il