Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-08-07

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Rate you may go to the store with the
children. and inquire" said Mrs. Townsend,
paying no attention TO Phebe She had en-.
tire confidence 10 her trusty old servant, as
well she might; so what could have become
Of the money ?
Kate came back, saying that Mr.. Potter
had given the children a two dollar bill but
she did not say, for she did not know, that
Mary had gone home crying bitterly, her
heart nearly broken.
What shall | do2 Oh, what shall
do p said the poor child, throwing herself
into her mothers arms, +" The money was in
one Of the boxes that's where always put
1t but she doesn't believe me. She thinks
stole II and Mr.. Potter thinks so, too, Mr.
Potter, that always liked Phebo and me. aud
said we were the best little girls IN this town,
to help our mother.v
There was a quick, decided tap at the
kitchen door, aud Mrs. Townsend, who lived
Just across the garden, stepped in without any
bonnet on.
" | wish you would tell me what all this
means :" said Mrs. Penny, forgetting to say
" How dye do 2'
That is just what came to inquire Of
you,' returned Mrs, Townsend, her head tin.
png back at least two inches. dom,
know as it would be possible to make you
believe a word against your children, Mrs.
Penny, but will tell you few facts, and
then you may say if haven't some reason to
think all is not right. Yesterday morning.
as happened to 60 into the garden to take a
look at the tomatoes, | overheard your chill.
dreu scodiug about my being stingy, aud one
Of them-l think it was the oidest-was
coaxing the other to steal the money for the
next lot Of berries
Mrs. Townsend :" cried Mrs. Penny,
her face quite white with amazement.
"Oh. | knew you wouldn't believe me "
said Mrs. Tovnsend with a hard smile.
" Didn't | say so in the first place ?"
Mother, mother, twas Pnebe 20 broke in
Mary. She did say so, just in fun :"
Fun !" cried Mrs Townsend / should
call it pretty serious kind Of fun And,
Mrs. Penny, that very day | went out riding.
while they were gone to the store, and what
should they do but take advantage of my ab.
scnce, and -"
" No, we didn't, mother" exclaimed Phcbe
dancing up aud down. "Serious, truly, black
aud bluely."
Mrs. Townsend lost her temper at that, or
perhaps she would not have gone on so hastily.
"Wait till get through talking Miss
Chatterbox As was saying, what should
they do but take advantage of my absence,
aud slip off with that two dollar bill"
The outraged mother looked at Mrs. Penny,
with pale face aud trembling lips, but not
word could she speak. She was Christian
woman, aud meaut to bear and forbear, but
this seemed little too much
Please remember" said she, at last, with
quiet dignity, " that you are talking to a
mother about her dear children. You should
be quite sure you are right before saying what
you have Just said, Mrs Townsend"
| The hard faced neighbor covered a little.
Every ybody knows you are the soul Of
honesty yourself, Mrs. Penny, and don't
mean to cast single slur on you but I've
always thought you were little blinded as to
your children, and, really, did feel it my
duty to come and tell you what they've been
up to. Facts are facts and the question is,
Mrs. Penny, how are you going to get round
'em ?"
lit looks very mysterious, that is true
said Mrs. Penny taking the sobbing Phebc
in her lap. "But as for my little children
stealing, why, you must know Mrs. Townsend
| can't believe it for moment You think
the case is very strong against them, but even
you must have your doubts; and | hope, as
my husband used to say. y-u will give them
the beneM Of The d0u5t."
Mrs. Townsend snffed a little, 1t always
vexed her to think Of Mrs Penny's late hus-
band, who had been a great lawyer, while her
own husband was an ignorant farmer, with
just brains enough to make money.
| don't know what you mean by the
Jeaem Of the donLt,'' said she. "l sup
pose It's law phrase; (; but law phrases don't
change things either one way or the other. "
! mean this; my husband used to say it
was fair to believe person innocent till he
was proved guilty. | only ask you to wait
awhile, Mrs. Townsend, and please don't men
tiou this affair at present. have faith to
believe it will all be explained"
Well, | will wait week." said Mrs.
Townsend, softly; "and by that time | hope
the children will be sorry for their conduct,
aud bring back the money"
With that, she swept out of the house,
looking angrier than when she came for she
thought Mrs. Penny held her head rather too
high for a woman that took in plain sewing
There's one thing | do know" thought
she, as she walked in at her own gate, 4" i'll
The Lord had given me children of my own,
| shouldn't be SO blinded that | couldn't hear
u word said against 'em."
Sure, mum, it's me, Kate Maloney, with