Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-12-13

time aud If vou's Christian woman you'll
90 dar. Good night, Missy
Miss Wing shut the door, and sat down
again with her knitting.
But somehow the room was not as plea.-
ant as before. The fire didn't bum as
clearly and her chair seemed very uncom
Portable
She couldn't compose her mind. Several
very uncomfortable verses Of Scripture would
force themselves upon her.
In the little church over the way one could
hear them practising their anthems for the
morrow.
Clearly and distinctly out on the frosty
air their voices rang.
over and over she heard them sing
d" reace on GARTH good will to men"
She knew very well that she felt neither
peace nor good will.
q" / wish they'd stop their noise" she said,
as she fidgeted from her chair TO the window
aud back again to the stove.
Still they sang on. louder and clearer, stir
ring Miss Wing up in an unaceountable
manner
Her better nature was having a terrible
struggle with the other, and being much
smaller was in great danger Of defeat
Al last she started from her chair, snatched
her hood and blanket shawl, and started
toward the door. Little better nature had
conquered.
Miss Wing hardly knew herself as she
stepped ont iuto the frosty night II was
many years since she had visited the sick.
or gone out upon an errand Of fmercy. Such
charity as she had given had been like
throwing a bone to a dog.
When she reached the tumble-down house
where Caterpillar mother lived and knocked
at the door, she heard a shrill voice pipe up:
Oar she am, nanny mos know dat's
her"
There was hurrying over the floor, and
a noise as if stray articles were being hastily
shuiiled into their places. When the door
opened aud Miss Wing walked in.
Bless us and save us - said she.
Bolstered up on 4 narrow cot was pitt
ful little heap Of skin and bones, all that
was left of the mischievous Caterpillar.
lie smiled feeby when he saw Miss Wing,
and held out a skinny little hand.
Mos awful sorry done kill your cat.
Pears like couldn't die out tole you"
Never mind the cat | spose her time
had come. What ails YOU anyhow? BE
/ you angry?'
lie shook his head.
Nebbcr any more he said; "go past
dat"
There was a tugging at Miss Selina's
/ rusty old heart-strngs, and a suspicious
moisture about her spectacles so. 10 hide
these uuaccustomed emotions, she turned
| iiercey TO the mother and demanded
llaint you got no better bed nor pillow
for the sick child "
The woman began long story which
Miss Wing cut short 10y marching out of the
door.
"There she's mad " exclaimed she.
Nebber mind nanny" sighed Cater
pillar, turning wearily on his pillow, 81
feels better
But Miss Wing was far from being angry
as she hurried down the street, and so Cater
pillars mother soon discovered, as the door
opened again, and man carrying a soft
single bed entered, closely followed by Miss
Wing herself heavily laden.
Sit down and take that child in your
lap" said she, in peremptory manner.
The woman meeky obeyed, and seated
herself with the wondering boy in her arms
don't think Milly Thone would have
believed her eyes il she could have seen he
cousin Selma then.
She flew around the room with marvellous
celebrity, beating up the bed, spreading owe
lavender-scented sheets, and soft blankets
and finishing off with plump pillow, an'
a white spread quilted by her own hands.
Caterpilar's delight was unbounded when
after being clad in flannel night-gown, h
was placed in the soft fragrant bed.
alike oranges, bub ?" asked Miss Wing
as she plunged her hand in her pocket.
Now Caterpillar and oranges had Ion.
been strangers, so his eyes glistened witt
pleasure when huge yellow one dropped OF
I his bed.
'Nlay as well have this, too taint no u.s.
: TO me" said she, tossing tinted pictur
card on the bed. Then, turning to tn
mother, She said
"Them sheets and things is to make tn
child comfortable as long as he lives; you
+ find good vittles in that basket" And ou
she bounced, leaving Caterpillar and hi
f. mother in a confused state of gratitude all
=. bewiiderment.
l. The Angel of Mercy had touched Nil
Wings stony heart, and taught her the ini
mite pleasure OF giving. And As some stream
% when released from the icy fetters that boun
II them. rush on with terrific force, so Nh
"a Wing. suddenly set free from lifelong bo
is dage. yearned TO do more for some one else
50 sha sent telegram early next NOR
IT ING. which dropped like bomb-shell III
u the little parsonage at liopewell.
b. BRING an the children to dinner; |
rav the expenses"
Tt-re had been a great deal Of comm
tsu in that little house before, but nev
alAiue equal 10 that which followed t
lrf ul ihi. telegram.
MIvs heart misgave her as she wash
"a 'aee. ani tied ON hoods and tippets, for :
ioIt that nothing less than miracle cot
to change Cousin selma.