Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-31
The Stained Window
nY ANNA HEArHERLEIGiI.
CHAPTER Ill

CHAPTER Ill
Mr. and Mrs. DMley had gone to Shallow
Bay. the adjoining town, to spend week
with some relatives, and attend the religious
services OF the county association of churches.
There we're left at home, Maria, who in
mammals absence, assumed the airs and
cares of housekeeper; james, of whom we
have already had glimpse; stephen, a boy
Of twelve, and Ellen, who, although she was
a fair sizednine-vear-old, was still the baby"
the pet OF all the household.
Although these children We're among the
best-belaved in the village, and loved their pa
rents even more than is often the case, they
looked forward TO this yearly absence of the
head Of the family, with sort Of underlined
pleasure. They had no plots of mischief TO
carry out no intention to disobey either the
standing rules of the family, or the special
injunction given them by their father and
mother on tue eve Of departure. But there
was something SO novel in the situation,
there was to their minds such unlimited free
dom, TO be Just like grown folks that
they could not conceal their willingness to
be left for a few days quite by themselves.
On the afternoon of the second day after
the departure OF papa and mamma, the boys
came home from school much excited.
logical lecture next Monday evening, and
Mr.. Blake had arranged-"just like him,
he's real jolly," interposed the naITator-to
have his pupils admitted at half price. The
subject was pretty thoroughly discussed at
the supper table.
"It is very silly" said Maria, in a digni-
fed tone, " to pretend to tell mans charac-
ter from the bumps on his head
Esnaeiai liz frorn accidental huTupa' - re-
marked James, who had come in late, and
now managed. on his way to his seat oppo-
site Maria. TO bring Stephens head in sud
den contact with the back Of his chair
easy enough TO tell yours without any
bumps" retorted Maria, while Stephens
face put on a most comical expression.
"Oh. no Madam Wisdom" cried the
new conner, as he took his seat, &" | suppose
you can predict how large piece of pie |
would like without feeling of my organ Of
acquistiyeness. Come, show your phreno-
logical knowledge" and he passed his plate,
holding II with both hands, as if he eX-
pected more than he could lift with one
hand to be put upon it.
"But Steyy, what is fun-ological lee
ture % asked Ellen
The boys laughed, and the questioner
looked a little ashamed.
She did mot see anything TO laugh at,
she said.
This only added to the meuiment, but
| the young lady who sat behind the tea.tray
shook her finger at the boys, and said, en-
couragingy, Don't mind pet its pLrea-
I ologictl not Theological, you meant. It's
rather hard word for YOU"
This explanation stimulated Stephens
risibilities, and many grave look from his
| older sister was needed to keep him from
renewed sniekerings" during the conyer-
sation which followed.
But what will the man do @ asked FL
len, as soon as she had partially recovered
/ from her chagrin.
lie will first shave the heads Of the men
whom he is asked to examine" said James.
lie had better take 'Booby Ben then,
TO save the trouble" interposed stephen.
Blum says Bens pate has been parade
ground for flies these forty years.
James countenance lowered, for when he
last saw Ben, his bald head lay batless in
the half-melted snow.
The Snowman will be blndfolded, aud
is not TO know anything about the persons
whom he has TO examine, but what he can
learn 10y feeling of their heads with his
hands," explained Maria.
But win he shave their heads, first -
asked Ellen.
stephen began 10 litter but motion of
Maria's hand under the table, and look OF
mild displeasure, prevented an outbreak.
g. No, Nellie, that was Jamie's nonsense"
The child concluded that this was not q
favorable time to ask questions, and de-
voted herself for the rest Of the meal 10 the
large piece OF pastry which her sister al
lotted her, with the words,
"There, eat your pie, aud III tell you all
about it when put you to bed"
Z" Is that old Shack out Of jail again 2
asked Maria, after a pause.
James nodded.
:" Have you seen him p asked stephen
who had that day been dismissed before the
usual time, aud had therefore not takel
part in the melee.
You'll all see him soon enough" sal,
"papa, pro tenn" as the older brother Ia,
dubbed himself, with consequential air
the moment that the family chaise contain
ing his parents had rolled away lie nov
put on an aifeotation of patemal severity
and quoted the familiar adage, Little boy
should be seen, and not heard"
Stephen answered by submissive silence
and by inserting between the upperand nethe
jaw piece of cake Of extraordinary size
Alaria's quick penetration had made tn
discovery that her brother had some reasol
for not wishing to discuss the whereabout
of Ben, subject which was usually wei
come one. II was therefore, with design
that she gave Stevey DEAR most gra
cious permission TO spend the evening Will
Ned and Fanny Reems while she entice'
Ellen TO an early retirement by reminding
her Of the " Theological story" which wa
to accompany the undressing, and succee,
the Now lay me " and the " tucking up.
The story took more time than she coul,
well spare, for the little one asked a goo'
many questions, and her own thoughts wer'
Just then ON bumps and craniums, which cir
cumstance made her performance, as night
cap filter" less satisfactory than usual
When at last she was released from hel
ssterly charge, and returned to the parlor
she found the young master Of the house :
absorbed, or at least, apparently absorbed
in the perusal Of the Universal History
which, she affirmed he had "read 10 death
long ago" "Come, Jamie" she pleaded, a
she took up her "work with matronly
air " don't let's he stupid these evenings
that we have together. You can read that
history any time. Lets do something"
"Well what shall we do Z" M
~ IN.