Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-10-08
Hetty's DOughnuts.

Hettys DOughnuts.
The long rays Of the afternoon sun slipped
in at Mrs. Baxter's open door, danced gaily
over the spotess floor of the ample kitchen,
darted in and out for moment or two
among the highly polished tins which stood
in orderly rows on the dresser, and then
suddenly plunged into Hettys heavy brsids,
and nestled there, as if they had at last
found what they were seeking, and had no
wish to wander more. They could not well
have found fairer resting place than those
same rich braids, red in the shadow and
golden in the sun, unless they had chosen the
long dark lashes, or the roguish dimple, or
the soft pink cheeks, or the rosy lips. But
no the lips would have constituted but an
uneasy resting place, for they we're in toll
erably constant motion. Not that any one
who heard Hetty Morris speak would have
wished her to be silent: still, silent she sell
dom was-at least in her waking hours.
j At the moment when the sunbeams first
pointed her out to u.s. as she stood at the
great table rolling out dough, her sleeves
fastened up, and her round white arms here
and there dabbed with -four scarcely whittier
she vas softly talking to herself.
"Dear me shall never get these mis-
eratle doughnuts done by tea-time," she
was saying, as she cut off q strip Of dough
aud gave it IN airy twist; "and that hor.
rid fat gets hotter and hotter every minute.
The last two kettlefus are utterly ruined
If this is utter ruin" remarked q
masculine voice, l." am willing to take it
off your hands Pass me the pan, Miss
IIdty." And the vines trailing over the
east window were gently moved aside, and
a dark curly head, adorned with two or three
shlvings, proceeded to insert itself into the
open window, as if a portrait had suddenly
pushed its way into its frame.
Hetty tossed her head. "No. | thank
you, Mr.. Kennedy" said she, with another
twist Of the light dough. Uncle Baxter
knows to doughnut how many there should
be to batch, aud if there were one miss
ing, should suffer for it"
"0h, nonsense" said her companion.
" lie is not so bad as that. Tell the truth,
Hetty, and it is you who grudge me the
poor satisfaction of a solitary cake. Never
mind there's good time coming soon, when
they will be everyday affairs with me-"
"What do you mean ?" asked Hetty
pausDg, with her fork in her hand.
"What should mean, except that | an
thinking Of getting married ?" returned The
young man in the window, brushing of 9
shaving as he spoke.
"Oh | hadn't heard" observed his
companion returning, with supreme indif
= ference, to her rollng-pin.
Haven't you2 am surprised at that,
was the reply, "for it has been all ovel
town for the last fortnight"
al wish that you were not so fond o
those silly jokes, Frank" said Hetty, de
7 cidedly.
al will agree to abandon the habit from
this time forth for evermore," he replied
> looking very handsome and penitent; "tha
is, if you will give me certain slight tokcl
that | am forgiven"
;, Hetty drew nearer the window.
" "What shall it be2" she asked, with
!, deepening blush and very encouraging
smile"
!, IF you love me, my dear, bestow upo
me that crusty doughnut which adorns th
top Of yonder pile" he responded tbeatri
7 cally, striking an attitude as be spoke.
"Hetty's heels clicked expressively as sh
,. walked to the pantry door, her head hig
in air.
!. "Help yourself" she said, briefly.
J "Thanks!" responded Frank, reaching
: long arm in at the window, and over to tn
= big table. 1t is more convenient than
70 thought. | could easily carry away tn
!, ., whole painful"
"A "A No reply.
"Hetty, are you vexed 2"
= A dead silence.
ar L "Come here, little girl, and give me
:" better token Of forgiveness"
Help yourself" was the demure repl.
With an agile spring Frank perched upc
the window.sill, when, from the upper r,
to gions, a voice, clear and sharp, made itse
h. heard in the succint inquiry, Cakes don
"a letty2"
to Yes, Aunt. Do you want mel" aske
q. the girl, darting to the door.
;, "Come up" was the rejoinder; al
q, Iletty looked triumphantly back, as 81
- attained a secure position in the doorwa
40 aud had the satisfaction, dear to her mi
chievous heart, of beholding discomftt
,e countenance disappear from the window,
n. Mr.. Frank Kennedy dropped down on Il
70 outside. The vines rustled for an instar
=, and then were still. Hetty closed the doc
of and the sunbeams and the huge pan Of doug
n. nuts had the big kitchen all to themselves
m Mrs. Baxter sat examining chestful
Nv wooden clothes, in the cool solitude Of q
m north chamber.
" "Those pesky moths have got in her
y, after all" she remarked, as her niece Q
~ tered the room.
va "Look at that, now," and she exposed
ga view an ancient garment completely riddl
nj with small holes You Just sit down her
of Henrietta, and sort out all the stockin
od into that basket by themselves. You
adj have just about time before you set t
in supper.table."
ed Hetty sat down as directed, and was so
he deep in musty heap Of stockings a
~ Aannels.
IL. There's Will Lowry going by" said
aunt, pausing moment in her occupati
and glancing out Of the open easement.
must ask him about Aunt Eliza. Go
evening, William" she called, leaning o'
itb the sill, and addressing good-lookiI
mes d.shouldered young fellow who v
rs passing the gate. "How's all the fol
,le. particularly your Aunt Eliza ?"
inc "Ail the folks are well, except Al
Of Eliza, and she's BETTER" replied the you
the man, pausing in his walk and leaning
il the gate, as if quite willing to prolong
md interview. Aunt Martha is going to hs
ms the sewing society up there tomorrow"
rp. They'll eat you out ofhouse and HON
ara rejoined the old lady, rather grimly. at
avs reminds me, William; promised to Sc
your aunt some Of my yeast cakes, and
you don't mind bundle. you might II
er. 'em along with you. They're on the kitcl
,r table. If you'll just step round to the b'
hey door you'll find 'em quite handy"
ue. "I'll just run down and get them
,ut, him." proposed Hetty, anxious to esc'
to from the wool chest, and not at all ave
ms, to little Irritation with Will Lowry.
not you'll just stick to the stockings, "
,ly. Norris" answered her aunt, prompt
men " Let him wait on himself"
Ill =