Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-11-19

/
"IIumphi" gruntcd Uncle Barnabas. "a
WOlL Il you can't teach, you can surely DO
somethingl What do you say, Eleanor, to
sitm,tionP" ms 1850 III4 ID
"a situationr'
The color fiuttered in Eleanor's cheeks
like pink and white apple blossoms. l
II spoke plain enough. didn't ~" said
Uncle Barnabas, dryly. Eyes, n situationr'
"What sort Of a situation, Uncle Barna-
basP" ,-.. \
swell. can hardly say. Part servant,
part companion to an elderly ladyl" ex-
planned the old gentleman.
30, Uncle Barnabas, couldn't do that"
mot do itP Aud why notP"
SITS too much---too much,n whispered
Eleanor, losing her regal dignity in the pres
sure of the emergency, like going out to
service"
And that is precisely what 1t Isl" retorted
Uncle Barnabas, nodding his head. Ser
vice Why, we'ro all out at service, in one
way or another. 10 this worldln .H
'Oh, yes, know" falterod poor Eleanor,
who between her distnste for the proposed
plan and her anxiety not 10 offend Uncle
Barnabas Berkelin. didn't quite know what
to say. "But live always been educated
to be n LADY, r.a Er
"So you won't take the situation, chit" said
Uncle Barnabas, staring up at wishy-
washy little water color drawing Of Cupid
aud Psyche, an exhibition piece" of poor
Eleanor's, which hung above tho chimney
piece.
al couldn't, indeed, SIR"
wages twenty-five dollars month" me-
chanically repeated Uncle Barnabas, as if he
were saying of a lesson. "Drive out in the
carriage every day with tho missus. cat and
canary to take care of. modern house, with
all tho improvements, Sunday afternoons to
YOURSELF and two weeks. spring and fall, to
visit your motheV.r seVaF
mo. Uncle Barnabas. no." said Eleanor,
with little shudder. IL am a true Berkelin,
and cannot stoop to mental duties"
Uncle Barnabas gave such prolonged
sniff as to suggest the idea of a very bad cold
in his head. indeed.
Sorry" said he. Heaven helps those
who help themselves, and you can't expect
me to be any more liberal minded than
heaven. Sister Rachel" to my mother,
''what do you say?"
Ny mother drew hor pretty little figure up
tribe more erect than usual.
81 think my daughter Eleanor is quite
right" said she. "'rhe Berkelins have al
ways been ladies'"
had sat quite silent, still with my chin in
my hands, during all this family discussion (;
but now l rose up and came creeping 10
Uncle Barnabas's side.
"well. little Susy," said the old gentleman,
laying his hand kindly on my wrist. what
is ftp"
IF you please, Uncle Barnabas," said /,
with rapidly throbbrng heart, 81 would
like to take the situation"
"BravoI' cried Uncle Barnabas.
my dear childw exclaimed my mother.
"Susanah!" uttered Eleanor. in accents
by no means Mandatory.
"Yes,n said 1. twenty-five dollars .
month is great deal OF money, and was
never afraid of work. think will go to
the old lady, Uncle Barnabas. ! am sure
l could send home at least twenty dollars .
month to mother and Eleanor. and then the
two weeks. spring and fall. would be so nice!
Please, Uncle Barnabas, I'll go back with
you, when you go. What is the old lady's
name?"
Her name?" said Uncle Barnabas.
didn't tell your It's Prudence-Mrs Pru-
dence!"
What nice namer' saidI. al know
shall like her."
avail 4 THAI 49,, ,yill aaid ITncIa Rar-
nabas, looking kindly at me. "And think
she will like you. Is it bargain for the
nine o'clock train tomorrow morning?"
"Yes," l answered. stoutly, taking care
not to look in the direction Of my mother
and Eleanor.
Your the most sensible of the lot" said
Uncle Barnabas. approvingly.
But after he had gone to bed in the best
chamber where the ruffied pillow-cases
were. and the chintz-cushioned easy chair
the full strength Of the family tongue broke
on my devoted head.
II can't help it." quoth 1, holding yaliantly
TO my colors. 1--WE can't starve. Some o
us must do something. And you can live
very nicely, mother, darling, on twenty dol
lars a month"
THAT is true" sighed my mother from
behind her black-bordored pocket handker
chief "But never thought to see daugh
ter of mine going out toto seryice!"
"And Uncle Barnabas isn't going TO d.
anything for us after all" cried out Eleanor
Indignantly. "Stingy old fellow; shoul'
d think he might at least adopt one OF us! He
as rich AZ Cresus, and never chick nor
q child"
+ ale may do rs he likes about that" I an
" swered independently. al prefer to ear
r my own money"
d So the next morning set out for the un
IN known bourn of New York life.
d Uncle Barnabas." said j, as the trai
4 reached the city, chow shall / find wher
oC Mrs Prudence livesp"
at "Oh, I'll go there with you" said he.
v. care you well acquainted with her?"
10 venturcd to ask.
x ooh, very we'll indeed" replied Unel
a Barnabas. noddiDg his head Rpproyingly.
" We took carriage at tue depot and droy
: through so many streets that my head spu
round and round like tee-totum, before "
~ stopped Mt pretty, brown stone mansion-
" II looked like palace, to my unaccustonie
eyes-and Uncle Barnabas helped me out
Ia "Here is where Mrs Prudence lives" sal
n he, with a chuckle
a A neat little maid. with friled whit
m apron and rose. colored ribbons in her hal
az opened the door with a courtesy, and WI
= conducted into an elegant apartment, a
n. gliding, exotios and blue satin damask. wlle
NJ a plump old lady, dressed in black silk, wit
IA the loveliest Valenciennes lace at thr ont an
10 wrists, came smlingly forward, like sixt,
A. year old sunbeam. paa
q 80 you've come back, Barnabas, hay