The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-04-04

day after he went away, for her father
died long before when lilly was only o
few months old, and they were all alone
in the world.
Tilly was sure that she should know
him if she were to meet him anywhere,
for she had his picture. He had it TAX
en- just before he went away, for his
mother, and before she died she gave it to
Tilly, and told her never to part with it
and then if Jim, who would not know
where to find her, should ever come back,
she might meet him and know him by
his resemblance to the picture.
There were more sails than common,
she thought. Tapping like white wings in
the frolicsome spring wind, as she hur.
ried down the long street that led to the
water, but there were clouds in the sky
that looked very much like a shower
While she was stopping to consider
whether she should 60 or not she noticed
ON apple woman, seated before her stand
over the way, in evident distress. Her
face was all screwed up as if she were in
pain, and she kept rubbing one of her
shoulders with her hand. Tilly's tender
little heart was touched in an instant,
and, crossing over to the old woman's
side, she purchased few apples and
then ventured to ask what was the mat.
ter.
"Oh, it's only my rheumatic, bless ye,"
said the old woman. at twinges in my
shoulder dreadful this damp weather. 1t
pears now as if | should hev to give up
business for to-day, but if | did Heaven
knows where Jinnie and I'd get our din.
ner and supper. paid the last shilling
| had for our rent last night. jimmie,
my daughter, is poor. sick creature, and
can't do no.bin'."
"Let me take your place." said Tilly,
eagerly "twould be real fun for me, and
| know that should sell quantities Of
apples It's going to rain, you know,
and that will make your rheumatism
worse"
The old woman looked at her with sur
priso, and shook her head but Tilly was
80 you are afraid to trust me with
your apples" said she, looking up into
the old woman's face with her winning
smile.
"Bess your heart No, DEAR" said the
old woman; 81 wouldn't be afraid to
trust anybody that had face like yours.
Bat what would your ma say. 1t isn't the
place for little lady like you"
81 haven't any MOTHER said Tilly.
Il live with Miss Snip, and she doesn't
care what do; and, if you please, I'm
not a little lady. I'm only On errand
girl but to-day I'm going to have to
myself whole holiday, l wish you'd
let me take charge of your apple stand
understand trading, Miss Snip lets me
wait on her customers sometimes, and I'd
like to sit here all day, because l could
look at the water and the ships all the
time"
"But you'd spile your pretty clothes
and may be get i'll yourself, sitting here
this showery day"
"Oh, no. indeed, | shouldn't Your
great umbrella would cover me all up
and it will only rain a little while at a
time, any way. The sun is trying to
come out now"
The old woman rubbed her aching
shoulder and remained silent few mo
ments, apparently considering what it was
best to do.
"Well, dear" she said, at last, "since
you are so kind | don't know but | shal
hev to give up my business to you, fol
my shoulder is powerful bad, and if
should git cold now | should be laid up
for weeks p'raps, and Heaven knows wha
would become Of jimmie and me. Blu
you'll get tired out before long, know
and when you do Just beckon to me.
live up in the fourth story of this build
in" pointing to dingy row Of houses
opposite, and I'll see you and com,
down."
And, after enlightening Tlly with re-
gard to prices, with many thanks ant
blessings. she hobbled away and left tn,
little girl alone in her new dignity
Tilly liked it, 1t wasn't very mic,
place to stay in, to be sure, but rather
dirty and dark, with great shipping store
and wharves on every hand but she haC
a view of the water where she sat, and
great many sailors were passing up an(
down the street. She put on dignifed
business air, and sat up very erect ant
prim, ready to receive customers. Anl
plenty Of customers she had, assur
you; the sailors, especially, seemed to b.
highly pleased with the dainty little appl
woman and business men made the pur
chase of her pippins an excuse to speal
to her, it was so out Of the common
course of things to see such delicate
fairyhke little girl presiding over an ap
pie stand.
Before noon she had sold out nearl
all her little stock A; and, taking wha
few she had left with her, she went il
search of the apple woman, to make he
eyes glad with The great heap of pennie
that had accumulated IN her box, an,
, urge her 10 replenish the stock for th
afternoons sale. But the old woma
wasn't able to 60 out aud purchase any
more apples, and was willing to leave ev
erything to Tilly, who was highly pleased
with her commission. So she made
nice bargain with fruit dealer up tn
street, and bv one o'clock established
herself again as an apple vonder at tn
old stand.
The sun came out in the afternoon an
business was even more brisk than in tn
morning 1t was growing late in the al
ternoon, and Tilly's stock was almost ez
hausted again, and she sat looking some
, what weary, her head on her hand. whe
some one came up on the other side an
said Business has been good to-day
hasn't it, my little woman? see 20
0 are nearly sold out"
Tilly looked up aud saw tall mar
I with a brown face and pleasant brow