Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-11-19


laugh-picked up an immense calico sun
bonnet, and sauntered leisuroly into the
yard; leaving Mrs Veider to regret, for
the five huudrcdth time, that when q letter
had come from the far west with the news
that Cousin Mary, worn out by long ailing
and the hardships Of pioneer life, was dead,
and the poor husband did not know how to
keep the children together on his little
clearing, she had offered to take this one
girl Of the flock. II would have been hard
for the child to have stayed there mother.
less hard for the poor father and Mrs.
Veider could well afford to provide for her
but Huldah was such trial Aunt Neider
wondered If her charitable act had bought
such unsatisfactory results.
The "trial,' meanwhile, was enjoying
herself in the barn. II was one Of the few
places about her new home where she did
find thorough enjoyment that roomy old
building, with floor thickly carpctcd with
grain dust, golden sunbeams struggling in
through crack and knot-hole, and the sweet,
halfopprcssive breath Of the hay filling
every corner. She strayed here and there,
gathering up eggs slowly-incdentally, iu-
stead Of making a business Of it. She
talked to the chickens in a tone Aunt Veider
never heard, stopped to pat the chestnut
ponny and finally climbed up to the loft,
and seated herself on the floor by the small
square opening that served for window.
Not the most charming point for view,
one would say, since the barn-yard lay be-
meath. But Huldah looked quite over
that; she could see the corner Of the gar
den, with its green, rustling corn and, near
the fence, tall sun.aowers bowiug politely
to each other, as if ready for dance or a
duel. A part Of the orchard was visible,
with cool, shadowy trees, where birds fitted
and sang; and further away was the wooded
hill with one white cloud sailing softly in
the blue sky above it. This bit Of wood
held her gaze the longest, and the bright
black eyes grew wistlul and dreaming with
thoughts Of the dear old forest around the
western cabin. How she had roamed their
lonely winding paths, knowing every nook
and turn hunting berries, gathering nuts,
chasing squirrels, learning every tree and
bush by name; climbing almost like a
squirrel herself, and wading through brooks
and rambling over fences with all the agility
Of the brothers who were her constant COM
panions, and who had applauded her dex-
terity. Now these very accomplishments
were Aunt Neider's abomination, and made
her regard the child as a young savage
Iludah felt it aud rebelled. Her broken.
spirited, incapable, irresolutc mother had
never attempted TO teach or control her
, and Aunt Neiders rules, prohibition anC
orderliness were irksome. She faucied tha
e thrifty lady was ony intent on getting a
much work as possible out Of her--ha'
/ taken her as a sort Of speculation, and wa
n trying to turn her to account as she di
her butter and spring chickens and the re
!, pressed lonely young heart grew hard an
\ defiant She was hungry for the old FIRE
!. life-for Tom, j i'm and little Tad. He
s long lashes suddenly dropped and trembe
n at thought Of these last.
. Huldah Hul.dah :" called Aunt Vel
I der's voice, from the kitchen door.
' The black eyes were clear sharp an'
bright again in a moment, but Huldah di,
!. not move.
. Wonder what they gave me such nam
2 as that for ?" she soliloquzed. "'Cause it
ugly, | reckon. Hul.dah-well, hulls ar
about all I've ever got; never any kernC
n of anything, as | can remember Of"
!. "Hul.dah ~ called the voice again, an
S still the girl made no answer-only con
meuted upon the change of emphasi
j " Hul.dahi Well, don't know but that
? the best way to put it, for it's the hull
, day you always want. If | ever could hay
I any half days to myself | wouldn't mir
q. so much
70 Huldah Streetor !"
il This time the tone told plainly that Mr.
IN Yeider's person would soon follow h
,. voice unless the absentee was heard iror
n so IIuldah sent back a ringing Yes'r
a. coming :" and, picking up the basket
Al eggs, descended the ladder.
,s "If have much more Of your help,
shall never get the baking done, said Mr.
. Veider, impatienty. "One would thin
m you waited for the hens to lay the eggs"
,o "Yes'm, let 'em take their tim
1e Didn't think it would be polite to hurl
'em don't like to be hurried myself" r
n sponded Huldah, nonchalantly, swinging h
or sun-bonnet by the strings as she went
ma hang it on the nail.
eT Not a word of regret or excuse! 1t "
at too provoking to be borne with anything ii
he equanimity and Mrs. Neider's brow grc
Iv stormy. Huldah saw the danger Of mi
Il ters going trine too far, and vanished frC
.g. the room Up stairs she busted herself wi
rs putting the various apartments in orde
or She rather fancied that when she could
A. left alone to do it in her own way. 1t "
va not so much the work she disiked as
N, feeling that somebody was obliging her
he do it. Over grandmother's room, she ]
p. rered longest, arranging it all most ca
nv fully, as the old lady liked to have it.
,ce one seemed to notice that Huldah awa
lv did the things quickly and pleasantly
nd grandmother.
in When the baking was done, the eai
dinner out of the way, and the men g
.be back to the field when bright print dres
cb and fresh white aprons had replaced
,,b morning calicos Of the feminine portion
,,,, the household, IIuldah sat in the low do
way. with some sewing in her hands
Ike was only in her hauds, and they had dr.
ped upon her lap; she had not sewet
t,v stitch for the last twenty minutes, but v
en watching with quiet, thoughtful eyes,
an, long shadows of the trees on the grass, Q
9w the curious weaving of light and shi
where the sun shone through the vi
les leaves upon the white portico. Mrs, Vel
Iar noticed the lengthening shadows too, {
onr turned the observation to practical acco
Sos the next moment.
at is growing so shady in the gar
sod now that we might as well pick the ra
ooh berries for tea," she said, rising, "(
onv your bonnet, IIuldah, and we'll 60 {
ber What haven't you got that hemming d.
ort YETI 1t does take the patience Cf Jot
vii. get along with you, | declare | co
" stand il better if | were not Christ
was enough to feel that such ways are sin
to a shame"
nd Wish | lived with some nice wicl
al. folks, then, that wouldn't be quite so P
cl .;outar - ,nufterpd Huldah rolling nm