Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-09-06
.fU.rT POPPI-s U.uBRRLL.s
ny HOPE EvERLETH.

ny HOPE EvERLETH.
at is all done now but the ribbon. How
do you like it, Aunt Poppy" As she
spoke Ellen Haywood held up her hand,
upon which rested lace cap of her own
manufacture.
swell, it's proper hansum and no mis-
take. The trouble is it's too hansum for
an old woman like me-" aud Aunt Poppy
shook her head meditatively.
"Old woman! nonsense don't begin to
talk of being old for twenty years to come"
retorted Ellen, merrily, turning the cap
round slowly, and adjusting it to her salts
faction. "Now, Aunt Poppy, saw some
of thesprettiest lavender ribbon down to
Miss. Groves, yesterday, and l want you
TO let me get it, You have worn white so
many years that am tired of it, and Law
ender would be so pretty on this"
az am afraidi 'twould make me look re-
dikilous. People would think was try
ing to makelmyself young again, and, law
me, how wilder. Baker'd talk y
"Lct her talk, 'twon't hurt anybody but
herself" said Ellen Everybody would
know it was nothing but envy. I'm going
right of now and get itlso as to finish the
cap off today"
at looks as eff we was goin' TO have
shower" said Aunt Poppy, watching some
black clouds which were ,rapidly.rising in
the west.
"Well, I'll take an umbrella and wear
my waterproof and then lt may rain and
welcome. l shall have to borrow your
umbrella, foriI.eft mine at Mr.. Blakeley's
the other day to be mcnded; I'll stop on
the way and see if it's DONE"
A few minutes later she made her ap-
pearance well wrapped in waterproof
cloak. 81 am all right now, but l can't
find your umbrella, AuntiPoppy."
"Why amt itln the rack =? alays keep
it there and no where else.'
A thorough search failed to produce the
missing article however, and Aunt Poppy
said, We'll, you'll have to wait till the rain
is over. It's going to be thunder storm
and heavy one too, guess
'Oh ! | don't want TO give ii up now Tn
ready. feel just in the mood for a walk.
I'll tell you, Aunt Poppy, let me take the
old blue umbrella that's up stairs in the
cupboard"
"Now you know you'll be ashamed to be
seen carrying such an old-lashioned thing
through the Streets was the answer ac-
conpanied by a slight hesi,ancy which did
not escape Ellen's notice, although she was
at a loss to conjecture the cause.
II am not enough of fine lady for that.
Besides it is good, very sensible looking
umbrella if it is old fashioned. / almost
wonder you never carry it yourself, Aunt
Poppy"
81 haven't carried it for over thirty
years." was the answer and Aunt Poppy
turned and went up stairs.
She.soon returned, bringing with her an
immense blue cotton umbrella with a white
border. The stick terminated in a curious
ly shaped ornament of black horn in the
end of which was sci disk of mother of
pearl on which was cut in small, beauti-
fully shaped letters the name isaiah
Bent"
"Why, Inever noticed this name before;
did the umbrella belong to Grandpa Bent?"
asked Ellen in surprise as she examined
the letters.
Eyes, l took ii after he died and brought
1t over here"
"Who carved this name ? 1t is done beau
tifully."
"A young man by the name of Rufus
when was young. He was master hand
at such things. But If you are goin' to get
off before it rains you'll have to hurry"
The clouds were indeed black and threat
ening, and grew momently more so. The
thunder hadhbegun to mutter at long in
tervals and an ominous stiffness pervaded
the air.
"Pm most afraid to have you CO." sal d
Aunt Poppy, rather uneasily.
"Oh there's not the least danger If the
storm is very bad I'll stay at Miss Groves
until it is over. She'll be glad to have
me, for she was scolding me the other day
because l did not come oftener."
So Ellen started off armed and equipped
She had half mile to so before reaching
the. village proper, and the thunder and
lightning were rapidly increasing every
moment.
With glowing checks and sparkling eyes
Shc 'h' VI
fell upon her hand and thon another Stop
ping moment to open the umbrella, sh,
heard hasty steps behind her, and turning
beheld u tall young man, with eyeglasses
hurrying towards her.
"Mr. Haughton p she exclaimed.
"Miss Raymond, have you room unde
that umbrella for storm-pursued wight
who was 40 foolish AZ TO start ont WiLhou
any? 1t certainly looks large enough"
"This is patriarchal greet it with reyer
ence. You do not often have chance Il
walk under umbrellas forty years old"
as it possible 1t is SOP 1 will treat
with the greatest respect. 1t was built ap
parently ON the principle of the Deacon
wonderful one boss shay, that ran hun
bred years TO day. 1t shows no sign
OF giving out yet"
mo, and Aunt Poppy thinks every
thing of it. 1t belonged to her father"
Here the rain began to fall in torrents
BY this time they had reached Miss Grove
door, and without ceremony they entered
The noise brought out that lady, who ex
claimed viyaciously, "Dear me, you mus
be soaking wet; come right into the kilch
on and dry yourselves"