Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-09-06

catnip for this, saffron for that-up and
down and all overland she just laughing
and saying: Its well they're boys, moth
er, cause can make their clothes clear up
to their freedom suits. Girls puzzle me-
Doremy was taloress by trade, you
know will say l never knew babies to
thrive better"
"What were they named7" l Iqueried,
mindful of the anxious discussions over
dainty morsel ofhumanity in certain hap.
py home not long before.
"Woll, there was fuss about that, too.
Deacon Quimby, he wanted 'cm called
Paul and Timothy; Lucindy Barnes
she's the school -teacher--sho, wanted 'em
named Damon and Pythagoras, or some
such heather nonsense. Luciudy was al
ways highnying in her ideas - said Mrs.
Batchford, explosively. esquire Luce
said they ought TO be George Washington
and Patrick Henry. But when everybody
got through talking, Doremy spoke: Their
names shall be John and James : and
somehow it never struck anybody at the
time that one was the name OF her father
and the other of Doremy's intended, James
when he'd got his new house done, and the
wedding day was set"
at must have been hard for her TO take
care of them and support herself too," l
said.
at was she slaved hard, you might say.
But she seemed to do pretty well. 1 have
an idea the Lord kind of prospered her af-
far hn
mother went blind, folks said she'd have
to give 'em up; but she didn't"
"Blind? how awful p with murmur
of sympathy.
"Yes, it was nerve trouble and came
suddenly. Deacon Quimby went over 10
reason with her. Says he, I'm afraid
you've been stiff-necked in this matter,
Doremy now you'll be made to see them
twins as burden and have TO put em
where they belong Doremy answered
just as quiet: Il look at it different" says
she. IF the Lords took mothers sight,
he's sent her two pair of young eyes to
grow up in her use while mine have to be
tied to my needle. The boys are her best
comfort. Step in and read mother psalm,
deacon, that'll do her good more'n talk
ing"
"The deacon did read to Susan Fletcher
spell, and came away clearing his throat
as if he had dreadful cold. Next day he
sent her up a bushel ofapples. Folks said
it was the first present he ever made, but
that isn't hardly likely, said Mrs. Blatch
ford mildly. "Doremy was right, though;
her mother had solid comfort in those boys.
She taught EN- to read, too"
"To read ?" l exclaimed.
cts fact" replied Mrs. Blatchford,
enjoying my surprise. "She knew pretty
much of the Bible by heart, and Doremy
would set em at some chapter and tell her
what it was, so she could correct 'em as
they read. 1t used TO be kind of like a
picture to see the old lady setting in her
chair, with them two chubby rogues lean
ing against her and spelling out the good
words as sober as ministers, and Doremy
sewing away as fast and smiling TO herself.
Doremy wasn't never handsome, but / al
ways thought she grew better favored after
she had the care of them little ones. Some
how there is something real beautifying in
loving and doing; 'tisn't skin deep prot-
tiness / mean, but kind of a look folks
has TO admire"
"Ifthey have the eyes TO see it," l sug-
gested, as the good woman gazed medita-
lively over her spectacles, as if bringing
up the vision of some faces so "beauti-
fed"
Folks mostly has the eyes the shut
ting 'em up is what hinders their seeing,"
replied she, briskly. "But maybe you're
tired. l never know when to stop talking,
specially If it's about Doremy and the
boys"
"There's no romance about the story, but
seems to me it tells considerable for one
womans patience and courage, and smart
ness too. There's saying about old maids
children, and must say l rather expected
Doremy'd bring 'em up either to have
their own way in everything, or never to
have it at all. But they're just right;
healthy, well-mannered, and loving their
Aunt Dory, as they call her just as much
as they'd ought to love her. And that's
saying considerable" added Mrs Batcl-
ford, with emphasis, as she hustled out of
the room obediently to the old clocks
wheezy signal of the ea-hour, which, like
the laws of the Medes and Persians, alter
ed not in this primitive region all the year
round.
Three summers went by before quiet lit
lie Cherrywood again held me as a seeker
after rest and refreshment among its hills
and hospitabe rustic people. Once more
Widow Blatchford opened her door to me
and installed me monarch of her excepting
room," and the breezy chamber above it.
II was not to her displeasure that one of
my first inquiries should relate to Dorema
Fletcher and her adopted children.
"There, knew you wouldn't forget a.
bout themr' said she, delightedly. 81
thought you'd like TO hear of II when things
happened as they did. You remember
told you how well Doremy trained the
boys. Well twas the fall after you left
that Squire Luce's wife died, and along
the fall after he spoke to Doremy. Said
he'd noticed how well she brought MP
Johnny and Jimmy, and he had seven
boys and girls needing to be taken in hand,
and-well, the upshot was Doremy could
be Mrs. Luce for saying so. What did she
think of II? Il don't know says she.
kind of flushed up but steady spoken.
"Tisn't exactly my idea of marriage to
make just convenience of 1t. And can't
say that feel a calling toward your child
rem as did to my boys 'Wcll,' saws the
squire, cant you take it as kind of a du-
tyH Besides, calculate my wifeIl be
considerably respected, and have as good
as the best
allow about Jimmy and johnny
says she. WELL says the squire again,
about the boys-I calculate to do well by
them, of course. Might bind out one. and
let the other help on the farm, l guess.
They're old enough to work considerable
He talked a spell longer, and Doremy lis
tened, quiet as ever. Then says she, Il
thank you kindly Squire Luce, but don't
GO to no house that isn't oman 10 ms, lo,.s