Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-11-08


to sec me- Will they do 80 by Liz Lorts
Why, she's ever so much poorer than am
and has such hard life that / can't even
guess how she feels. They'll pity her the
most likely as not, and talk to her the incest.
A little laugh just at this thought gurgled
out through the soft air. There ! think
| see myself looking on while they talk to
Liz but If feel there as do here, | shall
just shake myself and say, Goodbye, angels
People who talk to bcggars mustn't talk to
me = So shall make courtesy and walk
of alone, as did this morning"
Vie had laughed when this absurd thought
began to come but now she sat up with very
red checks and eyes moist with a sudden rush
Of tears
"Oh, shame shame J" she said aloud.
Are you 50 much better than the angels,
Viola Ketchum, that you wouldn't speak to
one they would make welcome in heaven
Shame, shame :" With that little Vie burst
out crying. and washed away her pride in a
great food Of tears. When, at last, she went
to the clear spring to bathe her eyes, and get
ready for dinner, she was saying to herself
an speak to Liz Lorts the next time meet
her. | won't only say good morning" but
I'll ask her to come and see me, and I'll buy
her new calico dress with my dollar was
going to spend for earrings. Hark what is
that2"
Vie turned to listen. Yes, some one was
surely climbing, or scrambling, or falling
down Porcupine Ridge Who could it be ?
Hardly anybody in the world but Vie and
Bretta Edstrom ever dared that rough and
difficult path Could itbe Brctta 2-and had
she come there to think everything out Of a
tangle as Vie had
No, that was not Bretta's sunbonnet that
began to show through the greenery of the
slope nor Brettas dress that futtered in
the wind, just as freely as if it had been a
beautiful garment that anybody might like to
see hutter. The bonnet was old, gray and
dirty the dress was faded, iorlorn aud rag
ged And still down the steep way the little
body came, swinging by roots, holding fast to
trees catching at rocks
Vie stood amazed THAT is Liz Lorts, ="
said she " the angels sent her here to see if
| would be as good as my word. Well, |
will She shall have part of my dinner, for
put up lot for Bretta. don't suppose
LII mean Elizabeth ate berry pie,
or currant cake, or gooseberry tarts. So
much the better. She may eat all she can,
aud I'll make my dinner out Of bread aud
butter"
The little girl took a step forward, and call
ed out cheerily, Take care, Elizabeth, you'll
fall How did you ever find out about this
placer
The scrambling little body did not reply
rorhapa uha ,raa ont oT braath III eraoL
again" thought Viola; she isn't used to be-
ing SPOKEN to, and / guess she's afraid tc
answer
&C. I'm real glad you are coming, Elizabeth,
said Nie--all her pride and GOODNESS melteC
= away. L" I've real nice luncheon here, anC
you must help me eat it, It's just as fresh
and cool as anything down here !"
Was the beggar girl laughing for joy, be
cause she was to have berry pie and goose
berry tarts | think those wild rocks neve
echoed merrier laugh than that which rip
pied from the rosy lips Of the ragged girl, al
: she stood poised on the last stepping plac,
before springing down upon the moss by Vic
las side Some way her bonnet slipped Of
her head, and there, waving and glistening il
the wind were Bretta Edstrom's very owl
gold curls, and shining out from under a white
smooth forehead, were Brotta very own blue
frank, laughing, loving eyes Vie gave bu
1 look and rushed into her arms, sobbing lik
e the repentant child she was.
a thought you'd speak to beggar if yo
met her all alone" said Bretta; "and | mean
to try you and see. But did you really thin
i | was Liz Lorts 7"
Vie stopped crying to laugh. Yes, Bret
It ia, and | was real glad she was coming, fc
c | have been so ashamed of myself I'll no
y only speak to her in future, but I'll try an
C be friend to her and as to the little mate
J. girl, I'll get every body to buy of her tina
n | can"
$ On, dear !" said .Bretta, pretending
d look scared, " You'll just ruin papa's trad,
P and then we shall all starve at home. Any
1t way, I'm almost starved now, for when mt
d Elizabeth in the woods, right by their shant
e and offered to swap dresses aud bonnets for
II while, she looked so hungry that gave h
* my dinner basket to boot. knew you hi
plenty if | could ever find you, and a prett
s. chase I've had through the fields and wood
g I've come begging for cold victuals, and
% hope you havn't been a pig and eaten up a
is the berry pie"
e " No, indeed !" said Vie " was so bu;
d thinking about what a bad girl I'd been tn
9 forgot to eat till just now"
is You're not bad girl" said Brett
kissing her suddenly " You're an angel !"
e. Not l." said Vie, softly, with wet eye
=, ." but hope to be some day"