Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-10-08
Why, how funny. Did you knit Sun.

day night Z! asked Phil.
" Certainly did. Some persons kept
both nights, but was brought up to believe
il was as much my duty to work six days as
it was TO rest the seventh. So | had laid
away my Bible and taken down my knit
ting when heard the gate click. Wait
moment. One--two-three--"
Grandmamma stopped to count the
stitches and set the heel Of the striped
stocking. She was always knitting striped
stockings, and no wonder, for her work was
running TO and fro on young legs from 0c-
tobcr till June; and Phil as he sat EN-.
bracing his knees, embraced also pair Of
these same hose.
Now, then" whispered Kitty, the six.
years-old witch who had occupied the pause
in shaking her red hair over her face
" The gate clicked. You'd got to there,
gran'mamma.
Yes, dear. | looked out aud saw
Squire Alden. He was our rich man in
Greendale, and my heart gave a jump, and
| whispered, Something's coming now,
Phil 'Of course. The Squire's coming,
answered my husband.
"'Good evening, Mr. Mather, he be.
gau. I've waited for the end Of Sunday,
aud now I've run down to tell you that
we've got into dreadful snarl up at the
agricultural hall tried to talk with
Sykes about working Sunday, and he took
offence, packed up aud went of, bag and
baggage, mad as March hare
60 You don't mean it, sir"
9" Indeed / do and | mean something
more, Philip The Squire was striding
up aud down, too much in haste to beseated.
mean that building shall be finished by
this time tomorrow night. The cattle.show
is to begin Tuesday, and the interests Of
every farmer in Wier county is at stake.
Now, then, what | want Of sou is to take
command Of that work and carry it through.
40 But the men, my good sir2 Where
are the men to come from2'
How many men do you want2
"To finish the hall tomorrow night, |
shall need fifty
"Agreed.' The Squire seized his hat.
You 60 to bed and get a good nights
sleep, and at sunrise he at the hall
81 remember how | got breakfast by
candelight that Monday morning, and how
heard the wagons come rattling into the
village from all the country round. While
we had slept, Squire Alden's two sons had
been securing the country, giving the mes.
sage at every farmhouse, and when Philip
went to the hall at sunrise there were fifty
men, the best in Wier county, ready foI
work. 1t was only the second year Of our
society, and we all had resolved that thi.
cattle.show should be a good one
"Ah, but those men worked with a will
All day could see them swarming on the
roof, moving in and out, and your grand
fathers broad shoulders towering like Kinl
Sauls above them as he stepped brisk )
about A hundred times | paused at my
west window to watch, and at sunset there
went up a great cheer, and | knew thC
work was done. | remember it was 0
warm, hazy, September night, and | stood
at my open door, the baby in my arms, anC
listened. Down through the still, soft all
came a clear voice--it was the 'Squire's
aud | could see him mounted on cart
wheel. Now, comrades, cheer fol
Mather, our good paster-builder, and MAJ
this days work he the keynote of his life
Hip, hip, hurrah'
Three rousing cheers, loud aud long
aud baby and | cbeered too, standing Their
in the door-cheered till the little hous
rang again, and the cat walked up to Sc
what was the matter.
Il heard the wagons rattling off.
blushcd at the praise Of Philip Mather
caught by my ears as the men hurried past
then l ran out to meet tall man, Wit
came stepping quickly through the dark.
q" Oh, Molly, woman, said your grand
father, here's news for you. I've take
the contract for the 'Squire's great house
: to be put up hext summer. I'm to star
on plans this very week. What2 Sorry
eh ? for Twas dropping tear onto Nanny
dress. Philip had taken baby on one arr
and flung the other about my wais
N-n-o, but it is so good, an I'm so silly
whimpered.
; The fair began on Tuesday. There
never been one like it in the county sine
for everyone was interested in it. Tb
next season Philip built the 'Squires hous'
and was well paid for it, too. AnothC
year brought the church and the great tow
hall; and, children, looking back, it seen
to me that our rise in the world began thi
Sabbath day when your grandfather refuse
i to work, and lost his place by the mean
Serve the Lord, my dears," said gram
L mamma, and trust Him to take care
: the rest."-Congregationalist.