Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-11-05
LILA'S TRIALS.

Good Lor' o mercyi. / don't see what
on airth our Johns a-goin' to do with that
gal. Her waist ant no bigger round nor
my wrist; and told our Jemima SO Z other
day. VI was her set him on arter the crit
ter; and now spose he s gone an fetched
her here for me to wait ON ...-...
"She looks kind o. nice old woman, butt
Don't old woman me, Zeke Drew.
tell ye she don't know just nothin''t ALL"
"Well, make .- ... ...
claw sakes! hold your tongue; here she
comes"
A light step was heard on the uncarpeted
stairs, and a young girl entered. The dis
appointment she felt ON coming to r home
so very unlike what she had anticipated was
still visible on her pale, sad face. But pity
and deep sympathy for the poor forlorn old
couple had crept into hcr heart; and, how
ever dark the future might be, she, like n
good soldier, who, though he cannot see
through din and smoke, still faces the enemy,
was determined to go forward. John Drew
was the sole support of his aged parents !;
his brothers and sisters not having { patience
to live with the old people, they said) pride
or feeling enough to assist in their main
tenance.
ut 8 a poor place you re come to-" said
old Mrs Drew, pushing chair towards the
young wife. ........ .....
Then, placing hand on each knee, she
eyed askance her new daughter-in-law.
"You are not used to such a place as this, a"
said the old gentleman, apologizing for the
dreary aspect things wore. ut mOught DO
better, but the old woman can't keep things
IN much order"
1t was, indeed, a cherries home. Two or
three pieces of old carpet were spread over
the unclean floor; and few dilapidated
wooden chairs, small pine table, an old
stove, and a small cracked mirror that hung
upon the wall, comprised the furniture, ex-
cept that contained in two small bedrooms,
to one of which tho poor heart-sick girl had
been shown on her arrival.
A fire had been kindled in the stove while
she was upstairs; and hearing it snap and
blaze, the old lady disappeared into a little
room, and soon returned with smoke-be-
grimmed tin tell-kettle, when the old man
removed the stove-cover, while his wife
made sundry Efforts to place the kettle there
on.
"Let me assist YOU" said the girl, taking
it from the aged, trembling hand.
"You can see, with your young, bright
eyes," said Mr. Drew.
Eyes, sir" she replied in a fearful tone
for she saw that her offer WAS silently and
ungraciously received by Mrs Drew.
''I'll have supper ready soon," said the lat
ter. setting out the small table, and covering
it with cloth that was evidently kept for
Estate occasions" Then she produced a
black sarthen teapot minus part Of tho spout,
and proceeded to pour in the boiling water,
being evidently in danger Of scalding her
self ....-.. ....I. ..a".....
Again the girl ventured to assist her
"No, thank ye: amt so blind but kin
see hole through ladder"
Saying this, she put the kettle down, AND
turned toward the closet. A few plates, tive
or three odd cups and saucers, cracked
sugar-bowl, and creamer TO match, were sci
upon the table.
81 amt got no cake or preserves. I'm toe
old to make such things, Miss Miss-Ohl
forgot ye re married"
"Cantye call her Lila, old womnnP W
mought as we'll begin first us last. believe
that's yer name, childP"
"Yes, sir" answered the grieved, CULVER
ing lips. NEWDlEF ~ .h
Law sakesl Zek'el Drew. don't yoI