The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-01-04

true Berkelin, and / cannot stoop tC
meuial duties"
Uncle Barnabas gave such a prolonged
sniff as to suggest the idea Of very bat
cold in his head, indeed.
"Sorry." said he Heaven helps
those who help themselves, and you cam
expect me to be any more liberal minded
than heaven. Sister Rachel" to my
mother, "what do you say?"
My mother drew her pretty little figure
up triae moro erect than usual.
81 think my daughter Eleanor quite
right" said she. "The Bcrkelins have
always been ladies'"
had sat quiet and still. with my chir
in my hands. during all this family dis
cusson; but now ! rose up and came
creeping to Uncle Barnabas' side.
L" Well, little Susy," said the old gen
tleman, laying his hand kindly on my
wrist, "what is it p
IF you please, Uncle Barnabas," said
l, with a rapidly throbbing heart, 81
would like to take the situation"
" Bravo !" cried Uncle Barpabas.
" My dear child :" exclaimed my
mother.
" SuSannah I" uttered Eleanor in &C.
cents by DO means audatory.
Yes" said 1. Twenty five dollars
month is a great deal Of money, and |
was never afraid Of work think will
go to the old lady, Uncle Baruabas. I'm
sure | could send home at least twenty
dollars a month to mother and Eleanor
and then the two weeks, spring and fall,
would ne so nice Please, Uncle Bar.
nahas, I'll 90 back with you when you
go. What is the old lady's name ?"
" Her name :" said Uncle Barnabas.
"nido' rd 5oa? lt'o Prudence
Mrs Prudence :"
What a-pice name !" said l. 81
know shall like bcr."
Well, think you will" said Uncle
Barnabas, looking kindly at me. "And
think she will like you. Is it bar
gain for the nino o'clock train tomorrow
morning?'
Yes" answered stoutly, taking care
not to look 10 the direction Of my mother
and Eleanor.
You're the most sensible of the lot,'
said Uncle Barnabas, approvingly.
But after he had gone to bed in the
best chamber, where the ruffied pillow
cases were aud the chintz cushioned easy
chair, the full strength Of the family
tongue broke on my devoted head.
/ can't help it," quoth |, holding
valiantly to my colors. "Wo can't starve.
Some Of us must do something. And
YOU can live nicely indeed, mother, dar.
ling, on twenty dollars month"
That is true" sighed my mother
from behind her black bordered pocket
handkerchief "But l never thought to
see daughter of mine going out to 20
service ~
Aud Uncle Barnabas isn't going to
do anything for us, after ALL" cried out
Eleanor, Indignantly. "Stingy old fol.
low | should think he would at leas.
adopt one of us He's rich as Cr@sus,
aud never a chick nor a child"
He may do as he likes about that"
| answered, independently. 81 prefer to
earn my own money"
So the next morning set out for the
unknown bourn Of New York life.
Uncle 3arnabas," said |, as the train
reached the city, chow shall | find
where Mrs. Prudence lives ~
Oh, I'll go with you," said he.
Are you well acquainted with her ?"
| yentured to ask.
Oh, very we'll indeed ~ replied
Uncle Barnabas, nodding his head ap.
provingly.
We took carriage at the depot and
drove through SO many streets that my
head spun round aud round like teeto.
tum, before we stopped at a pretty, brown
stone mansion--it looked like a palace to
my unaccustomed eyes-and Uncle Bar.
nabas helped me out.
Here is where Mrs. Prudence lives"
said he, with a chuckle.
A neat little maid with a frilled white
apron and aolo-nI -:Li--- H..
naIr, opened the door with a courtesy,
and | was conducted into an elegant
apartment, all gliding, exotics and blue
satin damask, when plump old lady.
dressed in black silk, with the loveiest
Valenciennes lace at the throat and
wrists, came smilingly forward like
sixty.year-old sunbeam.
80 you've come back, Barnabas, have
you" said she. "And brought one of
the dear girls with you. Come and kis.
me, my dear"
Yes, Susy, kiss your aunt" said Unolo
Barnabas. finging his hat one way and
his gloves another, as he sat complacout.
ly down on the sofa
My aunt ?" | echoed
Why, of course" said the plump old
lady. Didn't you know? I'm your
Aunt Prudence"
But | thought" gasped |, in be.
wilderment, "that | was coming TO
situation!"
Well, so YOU are," retorted Uncle
Barnabas. The situation of adopted
daughter in my family. Twenty five
dollars month pocket money-the care
Of Aunt Prudence's cat and canary
And to make yourself generally useful"
"Oh uncle" cried |. "Eleanor would
have been so glad to come if she had
known 1t !"
Fiddlestrings and little fishes !" Il.
logically responded my Uncle Barnabas,
"l've no patience with girl that's too
fine to work. Eleanor had the situation
offered her and chose to decline. You
decided to come and here you stay !!
Ring the bell, Prue, and order tea, for
I'm as hungry as a hunter and dare
say little Susy, here, would relish a cup
of tea !"
And this was the way | drifted into
my luxurious home, Eleanor, in the
country cottage, envies me bitterly. for
she has all the tastes which wealth and
a metropolitan home can crafty But
Uncle Barnabas will not hear of nv ex.