Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-07-13

ne had PAID little attention TO the dwelling
Now, however, seeing that both must 20, he
stood for FIVE minutes dazed bewildercd par
lyzed by the sudden stroke. Then casping
his hands over his eyes for an instant, he
rushed towards the burning building. Kind
hands held him back, assuring him that the
lower story was cleared Of its contents, and
that it was unsafe to venture father But
exclaiming my papers my papers he
broke from all restraints and rushed up
the stairs.
1t was moment Of terrible suspense.
will not dwell upon it, Suffice it to say that
just as, half blinded with smoke, he was de-
scending the stairs, there was a sudden sway
ing Of the building, crash Of timbers and
Grandfather Barker fell headong, dropping
the papers for which he had periled his life
into the seeihing, swirling flames Horror
stricken friends pulled him quickly from the
burning deJris. But the shock had been too
great. He never spoke again; and Just as
the sun cast its first beams upon the blackoned
ruins Of his home, he died.
The mill and the house were both we'll
insured and for time all supposed that a
modest competency remained for Mildred and
her grandmother enough at least to keep
the wolf from their door But upon exami-
nation it was found that the policy had ex-
pircd two days before the fire. And when,
after few months, the acre or two Of land
on which the buildings had stood was sold, it
brought a mere trihe; for a better water
privilege had been discovered little farther
up the stream rendering this comparatively
worthless.
The marriage was put off for while,
Mildred said Everything was changed, aud
she must have time to look about her a
little. There were those who wondered that
Reuben Clark did not claim his promised
wife at once, aud take both her and Mrs Bar
ker to his heart and home But | don't
know. We must not judge harshly. He
was poor and ambitious, and he may have
felt that the old lady would be burden.
so they-or rather Mildred, for her
grandmother seemed entirely overcome by her
great griels, and sat in sort Of siupor all
day long-hired two rooms down in the viii
lage, and removed thither whatever the flames
and incautious handling had left of their fur
niture Ii was very little, but Unanswered
their purpose And then Mildred-no longer
the careless, lighthearted girl, but the earnest
thoughtful woman-began to look about her
for something to do No more lettering in
the summer noons no more dallying with ruff
fes and tatting' and delicate embroidery, nc
more making Of pretty tides and piecing
Of rising-suns for the comfort and adorn-
meut of the new home. There was an end OF
dreaming She must work.
And work she did She took in sewing
she carded wool; she spun; she knit she
dried apples for the farmers wives on shares.
She did anything that she could do at home
For as the weeks and months passed Grand
mother Barker, who, never very energetic
had yet been one of the sweetest and gentest
old ladies in the world, grew daily-not only
more helpless and n6rn-but querulous, ex
acting ana irritable Mildred's face los
much of its brightness, but she was so patient
so tender and loving under all her vexations
that | did not miss her old frolicsome ways,
The new house was finished and after
while the Congregational church bought it fol
parsonage. Gradually | had ceased to SAY
anything to Mildred about her marriage; al
though Reuben Clark was still her acknowl
edged lover, and knew that he visited he
once or twice week.
lone evening in July-just two year
after the burning Of the MILL strayed of
down to the falls alone, and seating mysel
unuer 'ne shauVW OF one o, tne great roGNs 9!
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