Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-30
You always did make nice doughnuts.
Melinds,' said Mrs.. Shawsvery composed

~ helping herself to one.
They are as light as honey-comb,' she
added, az she broke it open and proceeded
to dispose Of 1t with evident satifaction.
4 don, { know when have made any kind
Of pastry. Professor Spare, who lectured
here last winter, said they were very I'M
healthy, entirely destroying what he
called the digestive apparatus.
Eyes I know, returned Mrs. Lane, dry
lly. Husband invited him home to tea
one day, and I couldn't perceive he had
any particular objections to my pies and
cakes. Indeed, I remember thinking if
that was his ordinary way of eating, l
shouldn't like to be the one to cook for
him. And let folks think what they may,
never will think that plain, light pas
try, eating moderate, ever hurt anybody
I always let my children have it, and
they are as healthy and robust a set of
boys and girls as you can find anywhere
as I'm sure they would not be if they
were fed on cool half-cooked victuals
given them any way and just when it
happened
| IL isn't always the rosiest and freshest
looking children that are the healthiest,'
said Mrs. Shaw, helping herself to another
doughnut.
Now think of it, I'm certain I can
see a pimple on Beteey's nose-a sure
proof Of over eating, and John Thomas is
not nigh so strong as my Johnny who is
not more than a year or SO the oldest.
But guess I'll be doing my errand and
be going. I called to tell you that we
are going to have fair for the benefit of
the oppressed Poles. I'm on the COM
mittee of arrangements, and l really do
hope, sister Lane, that you'll take right
hold and do everything in your power to
forward this noble and praiseworthy OBJ
ject.'
| No thank you, returned her sister-in-
law; I think 1 can find objects of charity
nearer than Poland. But there is So
ciety of which you are member, that
think I should like to join,' she resumed
after moments thought; the one for
providing for destitute and neglected
children.
| Mrs. Shaw's countenance frightened.
'We shall be delighted ! she exclaimed.
The initiation see is only two dollars
together with weekly payment of eight
cents.
Il believe I paid the initiation fee
about a year ago, when it was first or
ganizea. I did it cheerfully, though;
| what I then considered to be duties
nearer home prevented my doing more.
I will pay it over again, however, only l
must ask the privilege of bringing des-
titute child with me. I often see little
boy roaming about the streets, whose for
lorn and destitute appearance fills my
heart with pity.
That's what we expect and desire ev-
cry member to do when she has an oppor-
| tunity. We have a number of little jack
cts and pants on hand, and there will be
some of them that will fit him. Our next
meeting is just week from to-day, re-
member, at Squire Mayo's.'
| There was a merry twinkle in Mrs.
Lanes eyes that night, as she superin-
tended preparations for tea, which ever
and anon deepened into a smile. But
though the children were anxious to-
know what mother was smiling about,
she kept her own counsel
The next Wednesday afternoon a score
or more of ladies were seated in Squire
Mayo's parlor, with busy fingers and still
more busy tongues.
| There is Mrs. Lane now, coming upI
the walk exclaimed Mrs. Mayo, who
was seated near the window. Just see
what a wretched looking boy she is lead
| ing by the hand 1t can't be one of her
boys, for know that they are models of
neatness.'
Mrs. Shaw was too busy distributing
the work even to glance out of the win
dow.
Il forgot to tell you, ladies', she said, |
that my sister-in-law joins our society |
this afternoon. The boy with her is, no
doubt, the one she spoke to me about rs a
fit subject for our charity. I take CON
siderable credit to myself for Persuading
her to take this step. Sister Lane is such
home body, SO wrapped up ia herself
and family
Mrs. Lane is a kind hearted woman,
replied an old lady who was knitting in
one corner of the room, and does ii great
deal of good in her own quiet way
By this time Mrs. Lane was in the
room.
Good afternoon, ladies, abe said, gl4nc-
ing around with a pleasant emile You
see, sister Shaw, that | kept my word, |
and did not come alone she added, as
that individual fixed her eyes in undis-
guised astonishment upon the boy whose
reluctant hand she held.
Il found this poor lad she continued,
sin an alley way, playing marbles with
some profane and vicious boys, who were
uttering words that l shudder to think of.
The black eye he got in fight with one
of them, in which he had the worst of it.
He is very dirty and ragged, as You see.
1 offer no apology for bringing him to you
in this condition, as your society was
formed for the benefit of such, and trust
that under your friendly care he will soon
present different appearance
Twice did Mrs. Shaw essay to interrupt
the speaker, but anger and shame choked
utterance. When she had concluded she
spraug~to her feet.
Melinda Lane! she ejAcul ted. do you
mean to pretend that you don't know that
is my boy p
Your boy exclaimed Mrs. Lane, start
ing with we'll dissembled amazement. 1e
it possible Now that I look closer, it
does look like Johnny. But, who would
have thought it leave it to Y ~ adj
dressing the other ladiea, if the mistake
was not natural one? or if ever child
apparently stood more in need of your
friendly offioes2'
This assertion could not be denied by
any present, certainly not by Mrs. Shaw,
who was completely silenced, though she
was looking unutterable things.
Not long after she could have been seen
with poor Johnny taking round about
way in the direction of home, for, unlike
her sister in law, who escorted him
thither, she went by the darkest aud most
upfrequented streets.
This severe but much needed lesson had
most happy result, and was evinced not
only by Johnnys improved appearance,
but by the increased comfort of the whole
family. Mrs. Shaw learned what, it is to
be feared, too many forget-that no object
however praiseworthy, can excuse the
wife and mother for the neglect of home
duties that as there lies her truest happi-
ness, so these are the dearest objects of
her care and who have the first claim upon
her ties.
PoLITICAL.-The following is the letter
of ex. Gov. Hartman to Senator Morgan
relative tn the Naw Hamnsiire election :.