Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-03


Something in the earnest young face re.
minded Uncle George Of the sister he had al.
most forgotten and recalled his own youth 81
pleasantly that he said, with a caress Of the
curly head beside him
So it would, I'm sure Of it, and I've q
great mind to go with you and pay my duty
to mother, as you pretiily express it,"
Oh no. please don't, sir [ want to
surprise her, and have her all to myself for a
little while. Would you mind if | went
quite alone with nursey? You can come
later"
" Not biz you shall do as you like and
make sunshine for the old lady as you have
for Us. | haven't seen her for a year, but
know she is well and comfortable, and Dol.
y guards her like dragon. Give her my
love, Kitty, aud tell her send her someihni
she will value hundred times more than the
very best tea, the finest cap or the handsomest
iabby that ever purred."
So, in spite Of the lamentations Of her cou.
sins, Kate went gayly away to hnd the grand
ma whom no one else seemed 10 value as she
did.
You see, grandpa had been farmer and
lived eouieutedly on the old place until he
died, but his four sons wanted to be some.
thing better, so they went away one after the
other to make their way in the world. All
worked hard, got rich, lived splendidly, and
forgot as far az possible tho old life aud Tia,
doll old place thcy came from. They wer,
good sons in their way, and had each Offered
his mother a home with him if she cared Il
come. But grandma clung to the old home.
the simple ways, aud quiet life, aud, thanking
them gratefully, she had remained in the biz
farmhouse, empty, lonely, aud plain though il
was, compared TO the iue homes Of her sous
Little by little the busy men forgot tn,
quiet, accomplishing old mother, who spent
ner years thinking Of them, longing to so,
and know their children, no ing they would
one day remember how She loved them all
aud how solitary her life must be.
Now and then they wrote or paid her q
hasty visit, and all seut giis Of far less valu,
TO her than one loving look, one hour Of duti
lu aiiectionate companionship.
IL you ever want me- send and I'll come
Or, If you ever need home, remember tn,
old place is here always open, aud you ar,
always welcome, the good Old lady said. Bu
they never seemed to ueed her, aud SO seldom
came, that the old place evidently had nc
charm for them.
1t was hard, but the sweet old woman bore
it patiently, aud lived her lonely life quitty
aud uselully with her faithful maid Dolly to
serve aud love aud support her.
kates mother her one daughter, had mar
ried young gone to England, and, dying
carly had left the child to its father aud his
family. Among them little Kate had grown
up, knowing scarcely anything Of her Amerl
can relations until she was left an orphan ant
went back to her mothers people. She hac
been the pet Of her English grandmother
and, finding all the aunts busy flshionabl,
women, had longed for the tender fcsterin,
she had known, aud now felt as if only grand
mothers could give.
With a Autter Of hope and expectation, sh
approached the old house after the long jour
ney was over. Leaving the luggage at tn,
inn and accompanied by faithful nurse, Kat,
went up the village street, and pausing at tn,
gate, looked at the home where her mother
had been born
A large, old-fashioncd farmhouse, with
hospitabe porch and tall trees in 'front.' al
orchard behind, aud capital hill for black
berries in summer, aud coasiing in winter
close by. All the upper windows were cur
tanned, aud made the house look as if it wa
hali-aseep. At one Of the lower window
sat portly puss, blinking in the sun, and a
the other appeared cap, a regular grand
motherly old cap, with little black bow
perked up behind. Something in the lionel,
look Of the house and the pensive droop Of
that cap made Kate hurry up the walk and
tap eagerly at the antique knocker A brisk
little old woman peered out, as if startled at
the sound, and Kate asked, smiling, Does
Madam Coverly live here p
" She does dear Walk right in," aud
throwing wide the door, the maid trotted
down a long, wide hall, and announced in a
low tone to her mistress
" \ nice, pretty little girl wants to see you
mum
" | shall love to see young face Who
is it, Dolly 2' asked pleasant voice.
Don't know, num-"
"Grandma must guess" aud Kate went
straight up to the old lady with both hands
out, for the first sight Of that sweet old face
won her heart
Lifting her spociacles, grandma looked 81.
lcutly minute, then opened her arms with
out a word and in the long embrace that fol-
lowed, Kate felt assured that she was well
come to the home she wanted.
so like my Fanny Aud this is her lit.
tie girl2 God bless you, my darling 81
good to come aud see me - said the old lady
when She could speak.
Why, grandma, | couldn't get on without
you, and as soon as knew where to iud you
was in a fdget to be of; but had to do my
other visits first, because the uneles had
it so. This is Dolly, | am sure, and that is
my good nurse. Go and get my things please
nursey shall stay here until grandma
sends my away"
THAT will never be, doary Now tell me
everything II is like an angel coming to
see me all of sudden. Sit close, and let
me feel sure it isn't one Of the dreams make
to cheer myself when I'm lonesome"
Kate sat on a little stool at graudma's feet,
aud, leaning on her knee, t Id all her little
story. while the old lady fed her hungry eyes
with the sight of the fresh young face, listen.
ed to the music Of loving voice, aud fell
the happy certainly that some one had re.
membered her as she longed to be remem-
bered
Such happy day as Kate spent, talking
and listening, looking at her new home, which
she found delightful, aud being petted by the
two old women, who would hardly let nursey
do anything for her. Kate's quick eyes read
the truth of grandma's lonely life very soon !;
her warm heart was full of tender pity and
she resolved to devote herself to making the
happiness of the dear old ady's few remain.
ing years, for at eighty, one should have the
prop of loving children, if ever.
To Dolly and madam it really did seem as
if an angel had come, singing, smiling, chat
tering sprite, who danced all over the old
house, making blithe echoes in the silent
room, and Frightening every corner she en-
tered
Kate opened all the shutters and let in the
sun, saying she must sec which room she liked
best before she settled. She played ON the
old piano, that wheezed and tangled, all out