Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-20

l'''y cOlllilS iicrOSS Ine laWn-aVer queer
looking old lady, in II plain gray gown, a
dark purple shawl and an old-ftshoned
silk calash over her thick rutlled cap.
Mabeln' said her mother, indignant
ly.
ION, | know it, mamma. dear. I'm IN
awful sinner; but Grandma Jarvis is SO
good and sensible, and so forth, always
feel us if were poor little nut in the
jaws of II steel nut-cradker when she is
about"
"She generally finds out, and brings out
the good in YOU" said Mrs Lee smiling.
but she said no more, for Mrs. Jarvis turn
ed the door handle at that moment and
came in.
You saw at once, if you saw her face,
that she was person of keen insight and
Judgment; perhaps less lovable than a
gentler and more gracious nature, and yet
a woman to be thoroughly trusted and re-
lied on.
Mable was u ladylike, bright girl, spoil
ed, to be sure, us children are apt to be,
when there is but one in family, and re-
senting, like any spoiled child, her grand
mothers sharp comments and sensible ad-
vice. AT heart, however, she respected
her, and perhaps little more that the old
lady was rich and generous, and young peo-
pie, even the least mercenary and grnsp p
ing, feel kindly toward the hand that brings
timely and costly gifts.
Mabel even forgave the old worn dress,
since that gray gown was heavy, lustreless
silk; the thick-quilted cap rutfies, India
muslin and thread lace; the purple Grape
shawl, covered with embroidery, and the
white kerchief fastened with one great da-
mond.
Grandma Jarvis never thought about
her clothes further than to have them COM
Portable and not too outre. She knew
very well the world was like Mabel, and
would forgive the simple fashion for the
costly material, and with grim humor,
she always called the diamond pin "Chari-
ty.'
" 1t covers so many of my sins, my
dear" she said Il pass for II woman Of
sense with ninety people out of IL hundred
simply ON account of this big trinket. 1t
blinds them so they can't see | am out of
the fashion.
To-day Mrs. Jarvis had definite er-
rand. She sat down on the sofa and took
off her calash with deliberation.
Mehetable,' said she fixing her eyes
on the young girl, whose color rose to her
fair f. CO ut the obnoxious name, II hear
you are going to be married"
Mabel blushed still more hotly, and
looked straight out Of the window. The
tell tale pane reflected knit brow and un-
mstakably cross lips.
Mrs. Jarvis laughed.
You are rather startling, mother"
Il should think the tact WAS more
startling than am" dryly answered tue
old lady. Il got your note last night
ITetty, and made up my mind to come
over this morning and see you about it."
Yours are the first congratulations
mother. Nobody else knows it,"
:" | haven't congratulated anybody yet,
snapped Mrs. Jarvis. % never do con
graduate anybody till n year after theil
wedding day, and then Idon't have to very
often. came to say, don't any of yol
rive the child tea-service. want to dc
that myself She's got my name, and il
ought to be gilt or silvered, or something
to console her for such an old.fashionet
appellation, though she does top and tai
it rs if it were II gooseberry."
80 grandma" Mabel turned pleas
ed and pretty flce away from the window
now.
Don't be overcome yet, Mabel. You'll
change your mind before the end, Miss
I've got bit of advice for you and
promise to take first. The advice is, t.
leave off the piano for six months ant
take to the kitchen. Men can't live OIL
love and waltzes, much less man of tn
Selden tribe. | know 'em. If he don
have good food, he'll be sour first, ant
then he'll have dyspepsia, and there'll b.
sound of II going in the tops of the mul
berry trees; which things are figure
But that's the advice"
80 grandma! | can make splendit
cake, and ice, pudding, too, and Charlottes
Just as good rs Cross"
" Fidde-sticks! You can t make bread
or boil potato, or brol a steak"
" But any body can do that"
Mrs. Lee smiled, and grandma turned
whitening look on Mabel.
Don't be a fool! There isn't one in
hundred can do either, and | doubt
you We got brains TO; but you might try"
There rose up instantly mighty re
solve in Mabel's feminine soul to sho'
Grandma Jarvis that she could do NOR
than she gave her credit for; that sh
would learn to cook in spite of this dis
couraging propht cy. 1t is just possibl
grandma knew who she was talking TO.
"Then us to the promise. I'm going
send you over n motto-one of these pain
ed gimcracks everybody haugs up every
where. don't know why they call thel
Illuminated, m sure, except by the lul
of contraries, Tor they need extra specta
cles and calcium light to read them by
but you can read mine; | warned off tn
cmlcucs; only promise to read it ever
morning before breakfast, or can tell 20
you won Get the tea-set. )
20 yes, of course III read it, grnndm
, the idcam
Well, well. if you read it, you'll thin
about it, I'll warrant Now must &
home and send John over with the things,
and, with frosty little caress on Mabel
fair cheek, and a nod to her mother, tn
: old lady went.
"Grandma kisses me just like clan
she'll" said Mabel, in half-soiloquy /
she sat down again by the window. lie
mother could not help laughing, for IL
, cool nip of thin lips, that was grandma
substitute lor IL kiss, certainly did sugge
shells and cleanliness. John came directl
, back with the package, and Mabel cage
ly united and unfolded it. The motto WI
f printed in large German text, easy to rea
though gay with gold and colors, and
ran thus:
Take up the foxes, the little foxes tn,
spoil the vines, for our vines have tend,
| grapes"
Mabel stared.
b " Mother, what on earth does it mean
Mrs. Lee smiled and sighed, both,
, she read the legend over the girls shoul
er. Look here, Nab" said she, Sill
r ping a flat gold hoop off her third fnge
| and the girl read inside, Beware of Ii
tie foxesm and looked up, freshly asto
ished, into her mothers face.
E IL suppose grandma means me to tt
+ you story, Mabel, which she told n
| when was first engaged. 1t hurt h,
bitterly TO tell it, but it did me much 200
0 | think she could not bring herself to tt
, you. You are not her daughter, and ca
not love her as / do, and you have nov
t had reason to pity her as | have. Y,
5 never saw Grandfather Jarvis, Mabel"
why, l thought he died before l W
4 born"
+ " No. he died ten years ago in Brazil.
y never saw him myself, May. He new
!. | Lro,y ho hoJ a 6ouuhfar ~