Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-03-08
What Is Ii Good For!

Mrs. Graham was one of ths best women
in the world, but she was not perfect and
her imperlections were such that they de-
stroyed in a great measure her influence
over the young. She was so strong and SO
sensible herself, that she had no patience
with weakness or folly in others.
Mrs Graham sat in her tasteful sitting
room, in black silk gown and lace cap,
while most of her neighbors were bustling
about their kitchens, in checked aprons. She
rode in nice old-fashoned chaise, while
most of them walked, and she gave hun
dred dollars TO good objects where they gave
from one to five. So of course they all looked
up to her, and honored when they did not
love her.
If Mrs. Graham ever was young, she had
forgotten the fact, for she wanted all little
children to be men and women at once.
Her charity was unbounded. She was
another Dorcas, always making garments for
the poor She loved missions, both at home
and in other lands and labored faithfully in
her own town and church.
We have told the good traits of the old
lady, that we may do her full justice but
she was not, after all, the gentlest woman in
the world.
Mrs. Graham had settled this point, that
nothing which was not absolutely needful for
the life of man, or the progress of society
had a right to live
One day, her square-topped chaise drove
up to the door of the parsonage and black
Tom hitched the horse to the post and car
ried two large bundles before his mistress.
Scarcely had she entered the hall, when
her eyes met a sight that staggered her. On
top OF the hat-stand, just over the ministers
hat, sat a monkey, nibbling an apple which
he held, like greedy child, with both hands.
He evidently had not been taught good
manners, for the moment he saw Mrs. Ora
ham he threw the apple core in her face, and
then put on a most fiendish grin, as if enjoy
ing her fright.
A door opened, and one of the little girls
of the house cried out, 80, Mrs Graham,
Uncle Nathan has Just come home from sea,
and he has brought us two Java sparrows,
and the funniest monkey you ever saw-O,
there he is on the top of the hat-stand, and
we are so happyW
This was probably the first monkey that
was ever seen in the town; and both old
and young had been TO see it, and 10 admire
its tricks, so it is no wonder the children
felt as proud and happy as if they had fallen
| heirs 10 a fortune.
"What is it good for 2" asked Mrs. Ora
ham, coldly
80, for lots /" cried the little owner.
"Can monkeys catch rats and mice p
asked the old lady
No, ma'am, guess not" replied the lit
tie girl
Can they watch a house by night, like a
dog ?"
O, no, ma'am."
4" Are they good to eat 2"
90, no; and I'm glad they are not, or
some one might shoot mine" said little
Mary.
:" If it is good for nothing, you had better
sell it TO somebody who has nothing TO do
but to amuse himself. You might get money
enough TO buy you new winter sack, said
Mrs. Graham.
90, no; | rather wear my old sack all
my life, and keep my monkey" said the child.
40, you would Well, no one will hin
der you, my child your old sack is as warm
as new one" said Mrs. Graham.
shadow fell over the bright little face,
as Mary said, {" Come in and see mamma
maybe you'll like Netties Java sparrows
better than my monkey, They are good for
something; they can sing"
Nettie cared a great deal more for bright
ribbons and new sacks, than for living pets
so when this question was put to her, she re-
piled, " I'd rather have new sack than the
sparrows."
Then Mrs. Graham united one Of the
packages, and put on TO Nettie's shoulder a
shaggy little gray sack.
There, my good little girl" she said
"you may have that instead of two bird
that are only good to look at, and make q
shrill noise. The expressman will sell then
for you in Boston and you can have the
money TO do good with"
But Nettie's mother said, No, Mrs. Ora
ham, cannot let her sell the present he
kind uncle took pains TO bring from over thu
sea-"
40, well, that's as you say but she shal
have the sack for her self-sacricing spirit
She was willing TO give up her birds bu
Mary says she will hold on TO her monkey /
she has 10 wear her old sack all her life
hope the monkey will keep her neat an,
warm all winterl" And Mrs. Graham locke,
sharply at Mary.
"it certainly is an innocent pleasure,
said the mother.
"Well, that's as you look at it," replied
Mrs. Graham. /" Ii does not seem to me ia
nocent to take the crumbs from useful crea
lures 10 feed such as do nothing but eat
We should keep nothing that is not of rea
service"
Mrs Graham forgot her stores of nic,
china which never saw the light; her Chinese
curiosities and other " useless things which
might have been sold for much and giver
TO the poor. She also forgot that the great