The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-07-17
The 8utland Daily Globe.
THURSDAY, JULY II. 1878.



1t was in the heighth of the horse -distem-
per, and his own valuable beast stood in
the stall, looking very interesting, with his
legs in red flannel bandages. an old shawl
around his neck his body well covered by
blankets, and pensive expression in his
fine eyes as he coughed and groaned dis
trcssfully.
You see ii was particularly unfortunate
to have Major give out on Sunday, for
grandma had been to church, rain or shine,
every Sunday for twenty years. and it was
the pride of her life to be able to say this.
A sincerely pious and good old lady was
grandma jerks. eighty-tve years old, yet
hale and hearty, with no afllction but lame
feet. Every Sunday, all the year round,
her son or grandsons drove her down to
service in the wide, low chaisc, got express
ly for her benefit, and all the week seemed
brighter and better for the quiet hour spent
in the big pew.
"If the steeple should fall folks wouldn't
miss it any more than they would old Mrs.
jerks from her corner" was a saying
among the people, and grandma felt as if
she was not only public character, but q
public example for all to follow, for anoth-
er saying was, "Wcll, if old Mrs. jerks
can go to meeting, there's no excuse for
our staying home"
That pleased her, and so when the far
mer came in with the bad news, she looked
deeply disappointed, sat still moment
tapping her hymn book, then took her two
canes and got up, saying resolutely, "A
merciful man is merciful to his beast so
won't have poor Major risk his life for me
but shall walk
A general cutlery followed for grandma
was very lame, church mile away, and
Ia, IL, 4 ga. al
you can't do it, mother, and you'll be
sick for the winter if you try" cried Mrs.
jerks, in great trouble.
mo, dear; guess the Lord will give
me strength, since I'm going to His house."
answered the old lady, walking slowly to
the door
''Blest if | wouldn't carry you myself if
l only could, MOTHER" exclaimed the far
mer, helping her down the steps with iilial
genteness.
Here Ned and Charley, the boys, laughed,
for grandma was very stout, and the idea
of their father carrying her tickled them
immensely.
Boys am ashamed of you !" said their
mother, frowning at them But grandma
laughed, too, and said pleasantly, II won't
be a burden, Moses give me your arm, and
I'll step out as well as | can, and mebby
some one may come along and give me n
lift"
So the door was locked, and the family
set off. But it was hard work for the old Ia
dy, and soon said she must sit down and
rest a spell. As they stood waiting for her,
all looking anxious, the boys suddenly had
bright idea, and merely saying they had
forgotten something, raced up the hill
again.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to do it,
mother" the farmer was just saying, when
the sound OF an N apRmroac5hng carraYe r MADE
Nearer and nearer drew the rattle, and
round the corner came, not horses head,
but two felt hats on two boys heads, and
Charley and Ned appeared, trotting briskly
with the chaise behind them.
.'IIere's your team, grandma Jump in
and we'll get you to meeting in good time
vet" cried the lads, smiling and painting as
they drew up close to the stone where the
old lady sat.
Boys, boys, its Sunday, and we can't
have any jokes or nonsense now" began
Mrs. jerks. looking much scandalized.
''Well, don't know, wife. It's a new
thing, allow, but considering the fix we
are in, I'm not sure it isn't a good plan.
| What do you think, mother?" asked the
farmer. laughing, yet well pleased at the
energy and good will of his lads.
IF the bows behave themselves and dc
it as duty. not a frolic. and don't upset
me, reckon I'll let them try, for | don't
believe | can get there any other way,
said grandma.
you hoped the Lord would give you
strength, and so he has, in this form. Use
it, mother, and thank him for it, since the
children love you so well they would run
their legs off to serve you" said the farmer
soberly, as he helped the old lady in ant
folded the robes around her feet.
"Steady, boys, no pranks, and stop be
hind the sheds. | can lend mother an arm
there and she can walk across the green
This turnout is all very well, hut we won
make show of it"
Away went the chaise, rolling gently
down the hill, and the new span trottct
well together, while the old lady sat calml.
inside, frequently saying, "Don't pull too
hard, Ned I'm afraid I'm very heavy TO
YOU to draw, Charley. Take it easy, dears
there's time enough, time enough.
''You'll never hear the last of this, Mo
ses it will he a town Joke for months Il
come" said Mrs. jerks, as she and he
husband walked briskly after the triumpha
car.
'Don't care if do hear ont for a con
siderable spell. It's nothing to be ashame
of, and guess you'll find that folks wi
agree with me, even if they do laugh" an
swered the farmer, stoutly; and he wa
right.
Pausing behind the sheds, grandma wa
handed out and the family went into churc
a little late, but quite decorously, and as
nothing funny had occurred. To be SURF
Ned and Charley were very red and no
| ri and ctnla lontg at nnDtl
er with a rougish twinkle of the eye; bt
nudge from mother, or a shake OF I'll
head from father, kept them in good orde
while dear old grandma couldn't do enoug
to show her gratitude She passed her fan
she handed peppermints in her hymn-bool
and when Ned sneezed, begged him to pl
her shawl over his shoulders.
After church, the lads slipped away an
harnessed themselves all ready for u
homeward trip. But they had to wait, Il
grandma met some friends and stopped
"reminiss," as she called it, and her son d
not hurry her, thinking it as well to ha'
the coast clear before his new team a
peared
1t was dull and cold behind the shed
and the boys soon got impatient. The
g harness was rather intricate, and they d
not want to take it off, so they stood oh
, mig anu grumDling at inc ueiuy'
:" "You are nearest, so just hand out IN
blanket and put it over me; I'm as cold
a stone" said Ned, the leader.
: 81 want it myself, if I've got to wait he
much longer" grumbled Charley, sitting
the whiiiietree, with his legs curled up.
you're a selfish pig I'm sure sh
have the horse-cough tomorrow II y
don't cover me up
at ''Now you know why father Is so p
" ticular about making us cover Major. VIII
we leave him standing. You never do it
: you can help it so how do you like
r yourself?'
D; Up came the elders and away went
~ ponies, but they had n hard tug OF II !
n time. Grandma was not light weig
y" the road pretty steep in places, and
mud made heavy going. Such puff
Re. and painting, heaving and hauling was N
or heard or seen there before. The tarl