Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-06-16

have told you several times, George, that
green whisks were always the best. And
there was not the slightest hurry about it,.
would rather have chosen it myself"
And so Aunt Patty went through the
purchases. Nothing quite suited. Mean
while, Davie and Martha came home from
school. Tom was working with neigh
boring farmer. The family sat down to
their meal, and Grandma Field said her
brief, sweet Quaker grace.
"Did you know all yourlessons? ?" asked
Aunt Patty.
Martha hung her head.
az did hope you would have one good
week, Martha; you never seem to get full
marks"
"And she was late," said Davie.
Martha swallowed over great sob.
"There was no need OF your being late,
Martha. Next time stop and argue"
"of course 1 can't go now, anyhow"
thought Martha; but she rose anc began to
help in clearing ths table.
"Maybe thee would like 10 look over
lesson ?" said Grandma, in her soft tone.
''There's only arithmetic this afternoon,
and geography on the big map"
"And the moro time children have TO
play, the more they want 10 play" was the
sharp comment
"They are a good deal like kittens-play
comes NATURAL" was the soft rejonder.
"You cannot go, If that is what you ale
ha nging around for" said Aunt Patty pres
emily; land come straight home from
sc bool, too, or you will be sorry for it,"
Martha went off sullenly, and after max
ing good deal of trouble in school, came
home in the same mood. She wondered If
she couldn't run away, or if some one
would not like to tax cher TO tend baby, or
do chores anything would be better than
Aunt Patty's sharpness. But instead, she
hung up her sun hat and sat down 10 sew
an oyerseam in hateful sheet. And half
a dozen girls were having good time at
Jessie Wells.
"That is sewed very neatly" said grand
ma.
Aunt Patty looked at it.
"Well, It's middling. You have soiled
1t a good deal how Omen have 1 told you
to wash your hands before you commence
wing Now you can put on that old skirt
nd go oat and weed that row of strawbei-
ries.h
Wedding was not favOrite employment.
Davie came presently, and they began to
play tag around the beds until Aunt Pat
| ty spied il out, and sent Dayio TO look for
the eggs.
"I don't believe you have found half OF
tn en-" she said when he came in.
"Come in and set the table, MARTHA" she
aCta
noon you will have to finish that row. You
have been bad, indolent girl TO- day"
1t was SO with the most of Martha Par
ker's days. And yet the neighbors, and
gene rally Miss Lewis, thought her pretty
good little girl.
but no one ever can suit Aunt Patty"
the child said 10 Grandma Fields; "its al
ways something. oh, 1 wish you lived
here and kept house." and Martha kissed
the wrinkled hands.
81 am sure don't know what TO do with
those children - Aunt Patty said, as she
sat ewing with grandma. "They do not
| improve one bit. think they grow worse"
The sweet eyes rested On the fretted face.
Now Miss Patty Parker was not an un-
handsome woman-indeed, in girlhood she
had been very pretty.
Isn't thy balance little out of gear,
Patty2"
"My ba'ance?" CALCULATED the astonished
lady.
"Yes. Is thee careful always TO give
good weight2 Like begets like, you know"
az can't imngine what you mean."
"Well, thee mustn't be offended, but l am
afraid thee weighs little too close. Thee
seldom gives the children any credit for
good measure, and the little over makes
wonderful difference in the feelings of 9TH
ers."
"But you don't mean and it does injure
children TO be praising them continually"
was the rather jerky rejoinder.
HAS thee tried it?"
Miss Parker sat silent.
"Thee must not feel hurt, Patty, but 1
think thee meant TO be just woman, and
an ounce OF feeling or kindly regard or APP
probation just as mnch belongs to its right
full owner as pound of butter. Thee sets
bad example in giving the children short
weight, for they pay back in kind"
Miss Patty considered grimly. Wasn't
grandma rightf She never did let the GUS
toner scale go quite down in these house
hold matters.
81 suppose my temper is little spoiled.
Nathan and the children are very trying.
But want to do right, and if you think"
"a just balance" said the sweet old
voice. "Give what you would like to get."
80, Aunt Patty" cried her niece, flying
in from school, breathess aud excited
"the whole menagerie is going to pass at
the cross roads just at four. Can't Davie
aud co. just for this onc0H There's the
most splendid chariots, and great ele-
phant and"
Davle brought up the chorus, and prom
ised TO be such good boy all day to-mor-
row. And Martha would sew four blocks
of patchwork the next day.
"1here, children, don't be so noisy. Da-
vie, will you promise to mind sisterH and
Martha, will you keep hold of his hand,
and not let him go into any danger"
1t was wonderful that she did not say, ~
know that cannot trust you"
The children promised, and ran of de-
lighted, and it was full supper time when
they reached home again, their faces attest
ing their enjoyment
snow I'll run and hunt up the eggs"
said Davie as soon as he had finished his
meal.
"I had to go out TO the barn, aud dldit,"
said his aunt.
40, Aunt Patty, how good you werel
J Well. Pi bring in the chips and kindlings,"