Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-04-12
Untangled!
lnr rn.rIMoNr or Al rRrr norIllns.


1t was blue A very dark blue, too In
deed, think it might have been navy blue,
which, by the way, was not at all stylish at
that time, and which even now, frankly
confess, is a color | am not sufficiently fash
ionable TO admire, except in bonnets and
dresses.
II anything would dispel the clouds, it
was a visit to Aunt Hope Accordingly |
was soon hurrying along the narrow cross
street leading to her home. Here is the old
yellow house Up two flights of stairs, and
my knock was responded toin CHEEKY tones by
the summons, "Come in" push aside the
door and enter, 1t is plain room, very
simple in its appointments; but at one
window the sunshine steals in over blooming
roses and geraniums and from the other
view is Gothic church nesting among the
trees, a stretch of green meadow lands be-
yond. Somehow the plainness and the lack
Of ornaments are forgotten in the abounding
sense of peace and rest.
Sitting here, in her chintz-coyered easy
chair, the embodiment of it all, is Aunt
Hope Robinson one Of those kind, motherly
souls TO whom you instinctively give some
title of affection, true disciple OF Him who
had mot where TO lay His head, poor in this
NOllh Dut nun iiIul VI an
cuable inheritance in the world 10 come.
Her seventy years have left their traces be
hind them in the frost-touched hair and
time-written brow; still there is something
in the ready hand-clasp that gives you
feeling of strength. Hope seems to me the
only name that would fit her. and, while an
swering her pleasant greetings, | was saying
10 myself, An anchor sure and steadfast'
Nn.v 1aar - aba said oftar annfnrtuhlN
seating me, and giving Inc one of her largest
geranium leaves, II call your coming to-day
a manifest providence, for you'll help me
straighten out that yarn Pm going TO knit
for Sally Spencer. You know she don't get
much time to knit, goin' out 10 sewing every
day; homemade stockin's do last so much
better than those boughten ones, that |
thought I'd knit her pair out of some yarn
that's been lying around this great while :
but it's tangled and my old fingers are
clumsy enough over it,
Coming where l sat, with her yarn and
spectacles in hand, she noticed, for the first
time, my despondent looks, and anxiously
exclaimed "Child, what is the matter 7"
"Oh, Aunt Hope, it's all snarl !" ! an
swered.
snarl 2" questioningly.
Yes, life and everything"
Well, just slip this yarn over your hands,
and wen see If we can't get the snarls out Of
things a little. I've found the end Of that
yarn, and now whore shall we take hold Of
the snarl you were talking about 7"
Why, that is just what don't know" !
replied. " It's all such a tangle that | can't
find any place TO commence"
Aunt Hope was nonplussed, and shrugged
her shoulders in a way peculiar to herself,
mutteIing, indistinctly, something about
" strange child, and "9ueer notions"
"Aunt Hope" said I, presently, "you are
you let folks like Sally Spencer take care OF
themselves She is not anything to you,
and She never pay you back.
"My Master came not TO be ministered
unto, but to minister, and lie helped them
that could not pay back too. am satisfied
! TO do as lie did"