Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-07-23

eoAiuS up tue IolltuS piu SUE [eSuWeO
her labors " if it isn't shame for Nancy
to neglect him; and l am actually
ashamed of him, and his mother an active
member of half dozen societies. As for
brother John, he's clean discouraged, and
[ don't wonder at it. 1 don't believe he
comes to warm supper once week. It's
a woman's business first to look after the
comforts of her family, then if she has
time to do for others, we'll and good.
Charity ought to begin at home if she
don't stay there"
"There's aunt Nancy, now, just coming
into the gate," said her daughter Betsey,
as, looking up from the apples she was
pairing, she chanced to glance out of the
window.
Indignant as she was, it was not in good
natured Mrs. Lanes heart to refuse a
kindly greeting to her sster-in-law, who
was evidently too full of her concerns to
have noticed any lack of cordiality, had
there been any.
"How do you do, sister Lane how do
you do, Betsey ?" sheisaid, seating herself
In the first chair she came to, as if quite
exhausted, though her keen, bright eyes
looked as bright and sharp as ever.
Always cooking. [ do declare Alb,
spending so much precious time in caring
.or the poor perishlng body"
Folks can't live without eating" re-
sponded Mrs. Lane little tartly, as this
remark called to mind what she consider
ed her sisters remissness in the care of
her family. Leastways, have not
found out the other way of living"
"You always did make nice doughnuts,
Malinda," said Mrs. Shaw, composedly
helping herself to one.
These are as light as a honey comb" !"
she added, as she proceeded to dispose of
it with evident satisfaction. Don't
know when have made any kind of pas
try. Prof. Spare, who lectured here last
winter, said that they were unhealthy, en-
tirely destroying the digestive apparatus" :"
Yes, l know" responded Mrs. Lane
dryly husband invited him home to tea
one day, and | could perceive that he had
no particular obj ection to my pies and
cakes. Indeed l remember thinking that
if that was his ordinary way of eating
should not like to be the one to cook tor
him. And, let folks say what they may l
never will think that plain, light pastry
eaten moderately ever hurt any body. |
always let my children have it, and they
are as hearty and robust a set of boys
and girls as you can fnd anywhere as |
am sure they wouldn't be if they were fed
on cold, halfcooked victuals given to
them any way, and just when it happen
ed"
1t isn't always the noisiest and
freshest children that are the healthiest,"
said Mrs. Shaw, helping herself to
another doughnut. L" Now l think of it,
am certain can see pimpe on Betsey's
nose-a sure proof of over-eating; and
John Thomas is not nigh SO strong as my
Johnny, who is not more than year or
so the oldest. But guess I'll do my er-
rand and be going. | called to tell you
benefit of oppressed Poles. I'm on the
committee OF arrangements, and really
do hope, sister Lane. that you will take
right hold and do everything in your
power to forward this noble and praise.
worthy object"
No, thank you," returned her sister
in law. Il think l can find objects of
charity nearer than Poland"
| But there is a society Of which you
are member that [ think | should like
to join," she added, after a moments
thought; " the one for clothing and
providing for destitute and neglected chill
dren'
| Mrs. Shaw's countenance frightened.
| Z" We shall be delighted" she exclain-
ed. "The initiation fee is only two
dollars, together with the weekly payment,
eight cents"
81 believe | paid the initiation fee
about one year ago, when it was first
organized. | did it cheerfulIy, though
what then considered duties nearer home
prevented my doing more. will pay it
over again, however, only l must have
the privilege of bringing in destitute
child with me. | often see little boy
roaming about the streets, whose forIorn
and neglected appearance fills my heart
with pity"
Certainly, that is what we expect and
desire every member to do, a. she has op-
lportunity. We have number of jackets
and pants on hand, and there will be some
among them that will fit him. Our next
meeting is just a week from to-day, at
Squire Mayo's."
There was a merry twinkle in Mrs.
Lanes eyes that night, as she superintend-
ed preparations for supper, which ever
and anon deepened into a smile. But
though the children were anxious to know
what mother was smiling about, she kept
her own counsel.
The next Wednesday afternoon, score
or more ladies were seated in Squire
Mayo's parlor, with busy fingers and more
busy tongues.
There is Mrs. Lane coming up the
walk J" exclaimed Mrs. Mayo, who was
seated near the window. "Just see what
wretched looking boy she is leading by
the hand. 1t can't be one of her boys,
know they are models of order and neat
ness.
Mrs. Shaw was too busy distributing
work to even glance out of the window.
'I forgot to tell you, ladies'" she said,
that my sister-in-law joins our society
this afternoon. The boy with her is no
doubt the one she spoke to me about the
other day, as fit subject for our charity.
1 take considerable credit to myself" she
added, complacently, " for persuading her
to the step. Sister Lane is such home
body-so wrapped up in herself and fam.
ily."
| By this time Mrs. Lane was in the
room.
"Good afternoon, ladies'" she said, with
pleasant smile. "You see, sister Shaw,
that have kept my work, and did not
come alone," she added, as that individual
ii Gxod ho. o,-os In undi anuisad cfoni ah menf