Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-02-18
MOTIIER IND 1.

"Take a scat, sir, and welcome; this is
my lavoritc spot, sir, under this maple.
Mother and arc hero every day III sum
mer in fact, as soon AS the trees leave out
we come too"
very pretty place it was "undcr tho
maple" charming enough to bo the flavor
ite spot" of any one possessing the least
ad miration for nature. Two old fashioned,
cushioned chairs sat side by side, and near
them little rustic table with some news
papers, copy of stepping IIeavenward,"
and half-knit blue yarn sock lying upon
it. One chair was empty, for Mother Bray
was looking after supper" and Father
Bray occupied the other, and gave the
stranger a cordial invitation TO take a scat
at his side
The stranger accep.ed readily; in fact,
he looked so weary, this quiet resting place
seemed u delightful haven. "WhaI love
ly spotr' he exclaimed as he gazed abou;
him "this is indeed home"
In front Of them smooth lawn, with a
shaded path leading TO the gate at which
the stranger had fingered few moments
since. On the right, separating the lawn
from the carriage way, was low lattice
fence, almost concealed by a luxuriant
growth of honeysuckle known TO the old
people as perpetual boomer" and TO the
children as a friend that always held out TO
them a tempting spray, and proved itself a
public benefactor by filling the air with its
| delicate perfume. Beyond similar lattice
on the left, covered with woodbine, lay the
| kitchen garden, the equal pride and delight
OF Father and Mother Bray. Directly be-
| foro the house, or rather before the gate
way, ran the country road much used, be-
| ing the most direct way TO the all-import-
ant "mil." Across the roadway neatly
kept gardens and pretty homes attracted
tho attention, while woods and hills stretch
ed far away. Tho houses, five in number,
were Ow ned and occupied by the children
OF Father Bray, who boaslod early and late
of the "hve homes with the best and hap
pest grandchildren the world ever saw"
While the stranger gazed about him, Fa-
ther Bray gazed at him; at length he said {:
"Travoled far to-day, sir2'
ayes, sir; long distance"
Cuisines in these parts, may bc?"
"Not much" said the stranger, in care
less tone; "only looking after specimens"
| "Ohr' said Father Bray, with vivid
recollection OF two specimen hunters of Il
| previous season, who had filed the best
china basin in the strangers room with all
manner Of creeping things, and whose ex
ploits with some turtles had caused all the
young Brays to 20 extensively into the tur-
tie business; but the old gentleman did not
alludc to his lcrmer guests.
"This is the sweetest place have seen in
years." said the stranger, as he llled the
blue yarn stocking from the little table.
"Thars mothers work she's always
knitting for some of her boys, or the boys
children. Mother never likes to be idle"
The stranger held the knitting work care
fully, almost tenderly, and seemed lost in
thought. AT last he placed it on the table,
and said TO his new friend:
"You certainly have something here good
sir, which money cannot purchase, and
which in my wanderings have longed for
"a happy home"
Father Bray was one of those delightful
old people 1t is sometimes our good fortune
to know. He could talk so cheerily of the
past, so happily of the present, and so hope
fully OF the future, 1t was pleasure to hear
him. lie never treated you to chapter on
the sins of tho present time, aud tho vir-
tues of the past of the good girls and boys
in his day, and the vicious ones of now a.
days; ON the contrary, ho oflen declared
that "buman nature was much of a much
ness, just about as it always was" Mother
was his model woman, and a lovely wo-
man she was, still erect, although nearly
seventy, rosy-checked, bright. eyed and
kindly faced; she spoke to you in u sweet,
gentle voice, aud looked SO charming un-
! der her white mnslin cap, you could forget