The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-01-24

"Mothcr grumbles as much as ever sh,
did," whispered Tom to his elder broth
er.
Come children, get ready for church,
said Mrs. Spencer in the same mournful
minor key. "I'll have dinner on the ia
bic by the time you get back ; but mint
you remember the text aud all the minis
ter says"
but, MOTHER" said Susan softly "bc
fore I 90 to church | want TO tell yo,
something that"
Il know what lis groaned the widow
with uplifted hands and despairing eyes
"Farmer Wyllis is going to discharge
ye, and you'll be at home doin' nothin'al
winter. It's Spencer luck, exactly! Ne
need to tell me-"
Susan stood abashed but did not ven
ture upon a reply.
III had a piece of news for you too
mother" said Charley; "but as you snut
Sue so unceremoniously, I'll keep it un
til after dinner"
Mrs. Spencer shook her head
81 have all my life been a poor unfor
tunate creature that ill-luck chased from
pillar to post Here be, poor miser.
able widow with my three children al
away from me, rheumatic like all vex.
ation."
And the widow subsded into tears and
silk pocket handkerchief.
"Now mother, that's nonsense said
cheerful Charley; because"
80, yes, nonsense that's nice respect
full talk to your poor old mother" sob.
bed Mrs. Spencer; otis all ought tc
expect though it's like all the rest.
Almost wish | was dead and buried"
Susan began to cry. Charley looked
on unhappy and discounted. Tom seized
the opportunity to abstract the biggest
red apple from the plate on the mantel
and deposit it in his pocket,where it bulg.
ed out like an enormous tumor.
Sue, you're fool said Tom, shortly
"get on your things and let's 60 to church
anyhow" he added, in an audacious
undertone, "the parsons pressing is better
than mothers grumbling. Don't mind il
it's only her way"
So the three children arraycd them.
selves in their simple best, and set out tc
walk the two miles and half Of frosty
country roads that lay between them and
the village church-a peaceful stretch Of
sylvan solitude, with pine woods skirting
the way, and squirrels darting in bright.
eyed haste over the messy logs of the
worn waysidc fence.
80, Charley" said Susan, wistiully, as
she stopped to gather late purple astor
that grew like jewel, by the roadside,
"if we could only persuade mother to
take bright view Of life"
"I think she grows worse and worse
every day." said Charley thoughtfully
"She is almost morbid. wish we could
hear of any way to cheer her up little.
know plan," said Tommy, plant
ing his white teeth in the crimson side OF
his apple.
NV hat is it,"
"Why, when ! first went TO Squire
Parker's store, | had an all-iircd hanker-
ing after"
Thomas said Susan, graycly, "what
language -
"Afler raisins, and lemon balls and
sugar, and such; so one day the Squire
Just made me sit down and eat away at
them from morning till night. Good Ja-
cob ! | never wanted to set eyes on them
again
"A very interesting piece Of personal
history said Charley seriously, "but
don'tsee what tina, has to do with the
subject in hand"
"Don't you see ?" lfmother had trouble
enough and to spare, just for once, she
would be glad enough to give it wide
berth afterwards"
Tom" said Charley, stopping short il
the middle of the road, "you are certain
ly little ncer do WELL but there may be
something in this plan of yours after
all