Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-04-27

when she was through with them. One day
she wanted TO use my clothes brush this was
kept in drawer used by my husband.
handed it to her and when she was through
with it was careful to replace it. A day
or two afterwards, my husband, in a great
hurry, wanted his brush, but it was no where
TO be found. Alter a long and perplexing
search | thought to ask Annio if she had
seen it.
"Oh, yes; do excuse me Mrs. Howard;
wanted to use it, and as you were not in your
room, | took the liberty Of getting it myself;
it is in my room"
OF course all these were little things but
taken collectively they caused a great deal Of
discomfort. The trouble was, Annie had no
idea Of the rights Of others in little things
Whatever did not Immediately concern her
self she was forgctiul Of One day this for
gettulness caused me serious annoyance in
another way, My husband was absent from
the city on business the baby was fretful
and unwell, and | needed some things from a
grocery store down town. | made out the
order and asked Annie if she would leave it
as she went to school. She appeared de-
lighted to have an opportunity to oblige me,
and so | coniided the matter to her and dis
missed it from my mind. One and two hours
passed, and still the articles ordered did not
come. Bridget was at a stand.stll for want
Of them; the baby was still fretful, and some
friends from off the cars came in to dinner
| was now obliged to go down town myself
and see what was detaning the usually prompt
store-keeper. | found that no order had been
received. Tired and yexed got home just
as Annie was coming in at the noon recess
She guessed in moment the cause that had
taken me away from the baby and my friends,
and, as usual, she made the most profuse
apologies. She had really forgotten the
whole matter.
One evening, shortly before she left US, my
husband came into the room enquirng with
surprise who had given the children a very
valuable PORTFOLIO Of ongrayings. | ran to
the parlor and found Katie aud Eddie seated
on the floor with the engrayings and 1.-the
graphs scattered all around them; one was
torn in two several had the prints Of little
fingers, while one of the most valuable was
smeared over by the kisses Of two chubby lit
tie mouths to such an extent that it was ru-
ined. | understood the whole matter at
glance. Annie had been looking at the en-
cravings and had left the port-folio on the
floor. While | was gathering them up and
lamenting the damage, she came in. Ofcourse
she was sorry and was sure it was all her
fault; ofcourse was sorry too although ac-
ceped her apologies with the best grace possible.
For day or two after this occurrence An
ME seemed to be more thoughtful The piano
was shut at night, and her things carried to
her own room instead Of being left in parlor,
dining room and nursery, as was usually the
case. At length her parents returned, and
with many expressions OF mutual pleasure in
the visit and regrets at parting, Annie re-
turned home On our part the regrets were
very genuine, for despite her fault she had
been delightful companion.
The next morning went up to the room
which had been occupied by her, aud which
was my spare bedroom, to set it in order.
Throwing open the shutters the first thing
that attracted my attention was a series Of
spots and stains all around the wash stand, on
the delicate silver colored ground Of the
| Brussels carpet. A closer examination showed
me that they were caused by splashes Of wa
ter, and that the paper on the wall was
narred IN the same way. A little table in
the room was covered with an embroidered
cover of white dimity-not costly, but valua-
Bile to me as an heir LOOM This was spotted
all over with ink, caused by laying her pen
down upon it when writing. A small rock
ing chair, covered with silk damask, had been
left sitting so near the stove at some time that