Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-24


Reaching the fiat-a place she had often
visited upon errands Of mercy,-she dis
mounted and inquired in what house Mr..
Wilson lived. The woman directed her.
with an ominous shake of the head, and
Emily, rejecting upon the force of preju-
dice among all classes, pursued her way on
foot, leading the pony.
The smallest oldest, dirtiest of all the
habitations on the fat was the one which had
been pointed to her. Hitching the pony to
a staple In the window sll-for there was
no other place, not a tree or shrub growing
In the vicinity-Emily knocked upon the
door and awaited with peculiar feelings the
answer. 1t soon came in the person of
Thoinas, who, for a moment, was render
cd speechless by surprise; then In voice
which revealed botl modification and pain,
said
"Wil you come in2 You will find IL a
wretched place, but we can't help it, just
now.'
Emily made no reply, but followed him
into the house. In the first room were
table, three chairs, an old cooking stove,
and an old-fashoned wash-stand. In one
of the chairs, curle up asleep, was little
girl of about FIVE summers, her long, black
hair falling over thin, pale face, on which
tear-stains were yet visible. Thomas saw
Emily glance at the child, and he simply
said "My sister," But there was anguish
in every accent. "My mother is in the
next room. Would you like to see herr"
he added presently. The maiden inclined
her head, and followed him into the cham
ber, where, upon low cot bed, lay wo-
man, evidently in the last stages of con-
sumption. Her skin was nearly transpar-
ent, and her eyes, large and black, gave TO
her countenance brilliancy weird, almost
frightful. As Emily entered. the invalid
glanced upon her inquiringly. and said:
"Curosty is sometimes cruelty. Why
did you come?"
"With the hope of being met as friend"
answered Emily, with gentle reproof,-
at the same time placing her hand on the
sufferers brow.
"Forgve me, but there Is so much cold
ness In this world, so little love. oh Ire
member now, you are the young lady who
helped Tom this afternoon. Poor Tom!
he is nearly worn out. He tries to work
outside, and take care of Alice and me too
but he can't do it all, so he has 10 let out
side work go sometimes, and then l sup
pose his employers think he Is idle. 1t
weakened me very much moving, and I
have not been so well since. What do peo-
Pile say of us miss2' She paused for an an
swer but Emily evaded the question, and
then the woman went on: "Yes, 1t Is al
ways so; you wish to spare my feelings
your motive is good, but can see through
it. My husbands misfortunes first led
him in the downward path, and then by
degrees poverty came on until all was lost.
Now we must bear his unfortunate reputa-
ton, but not long-not long" She raised
her eyes heavenward, as If imploring
death.
"Dear mother, do not speak so; you are
all have on earth,' said Tom, in a trem-
ulous voice.
"My dear boy--my liie-my blessingW
she murmured tenderly.
Emily's eyes filled with tears as she saw
the mothers wan hand caress the jetty
curls that fell on her sons brow. Then,
DOplDR 10 c0eeT luelll, Sne Sdlu
"You will be better soon, Mrs. Wilson.
Do not give way to sadness. Remember
am your friend" The invalid smiled faint
ly and shook her head. Knowing that fur
ther conversation would be injurious to
her, Emily bade her adieu. closing the
chamber door as she went out Once again
in the first room, the maiden said: "Mr.
4 ca,
quesced, wonderingly, and Emily placing
a ten dollar note in his hand, added: run
down to the store and buy what your moth
er needs--be sure not to forget fruits and
jelles."
''God bless your sweet face he mur-
INJURED, in choked voice, and impressive
| ly pressed her hand.
~ will stay here until you return, she
| said, as he took his hat and hurried away.
| When the young man returned he found
| the kettle singing over the fire, and the ta-
BILE set, while little Alice, who had been
awak ened by the cheerful sound, sat up in
her chair gazing at Emily in establishment.
"You are too good Miss; 1 did not believe
that there was one left in the world as good
as you are" regarding her as If she was
something more than human.
"Don't praise me, but take out your lit
tie bundles, and I'll have your supper
presently. or course you got some s.eak?''
"Yes. though l was afraid l was doing
wrong"
Emily reproved him for that sentence
and then went on with her preparations
In short time a repast, which to Tom and
Alice seemed banquet, was placed on the
table, and then Emily departed. saying she
would come on the morrow and wash the
dishes. Toms gaze followed her until she
was invisible, when he returned to the
house, dropped on his knees beside hi,
mothers bed and thanked God for the frient
which had been sent to them when starva
tion seemed inevitable.
The next day, and every day for a week
Emily Wharton brought the sunlight o
her presence to that wretched abode anC
cheered and comforted the invalid and hel
children; not forgetting TO enlist the ser
vices OF the village physician in the same
cause. But he could do little for the suffer
er; she could only be made easy during
her brief stay on earth-she could not re
cover. And at length the time came wher
Tom Wilson, standing at the side of the lit
tie couch, knew that his mother would no
live an hour. oh, If Emily would onl,
come He could not bear this terrible
blow alone. with little Alice clinging to hin
In fear. And still the terrible minute
dragged on, and at length Emily came ant
stood by his side and to make him strong
or took one of his hands in her own. To
gether the three looked down upon tn
blanched face and wasted form OF the inva
lid, and saw the chest move with lahore,
effort and the lips as If prayinQ for air