Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-10-27
A NEWSPAPER FILE.

1t was two days after Aunt Priscilla's
funeral, and Sue aud L were sitting to-
gether by the kitchen fire, with that
hush over our spirits still which follows
death and a burial. All the afternoon
we had been busy in getting the house
to rights, not meddling yet with the
things which had been hers, and were
now ours, but by dint of open windows,
sunshine, and furniture busted and re-
arranged, trying to restore to the rooms
that familiar look which they had lost
during these weeks of anxiety and
trouble. A few days more, and we must
face future which was full of terrors.
Meanwhile custom as well as inclination
accorded brief respite in which to think
of her who was gone, and of each other,
with the clinging fondness of those
whose lives, never before parted, were
about to separate.
Sue sat on a low stool, her head against
the chimney jamb. 1t was the chimney
of Aunt Priscilla's youth; she never
would alter it-one of the wide old
fashioned kind, with pot-hooks and
blazing logs, aud a bake-oven at one
side. The SCOT -blackened bricks and
faint red glow made background for
my sisters head, with its great twist of
fair hair, and lily-like slender throat.
Sue is very pretty, prettier than any
BODY ever saw. / recollect picture
as | looked at her-a picture of Cinder-
ella sitting i'll just such an attitude by
the chimneyside She ives equally
picturesque at that moment; SO far as
looks go, equally worthy of prince;
but, alas no fairy godmother was
likely to emerge from the apple-room
for her benefit. Aunt Pris, who in a
small way had enacted that part toward
us, was gone, and her big rocking chair,
which we had no heart to sit in, swung
empty in its accustomed place, type of q
like emptiness which we were conscious
OF in other things, and would feel for a
long time to come.
Neither of us spoke for while. We
were tired and spiritless, and John Slade
was coming presently to talk over things,
SO we saved our words.
DIR. Slade-John-wa Sues lover.
Their poor little engagement had been
formed two years ago. How many years
it was likely to last, nobody could guess;
but they held on to it bravely, and were
content to wait. Pretty soon, as we sat
waiting, his step sounded without on the
gravel, and with little tap--courteous
but unnecessary, for the door was never
locked-he entered, gave Sue q gentle
kiss, me another, and sat down between
MS in auntys rocking-chair. 1t was o
comfort to have him do that The house
seemed less forlorn at once.
Well, children, how has the day
gomez" he asked. @
pretty well," replied Sue. owe
have been busy, and are tired to- night,
| think. I'm glad you are come, John
dear We are getting lonely and dis
NAL, Cree and l."
Lucretia is my name but Sue and
Aunt Priscilla always called me " Gree. ;
John adjusted stick on tbs embers,
and with one daring poke sent tongue
OF bright flame upward before he an,
swered. Then he took Sues hand in hi
broad palm, and patting it gently, said
Nov let's talk over matters. We ought
to decide what we are to do, we three"
That "three " was very comforting tc
me. but John always is comfort. He
was "made So" Aunt Pris said. Ant
he certainly carries out the purpose o.
his creation.
"Did your aunt leave any will9" ht
went on.
"Only this )" and ] brought from be
tween the leaves of the big Bible, where
we had found it, half sheet of note
paper, on which dear aunty had stated
in her own simple form, that she left al
she had to be equally divided between
er nieces, Susan and Lucretia Pendex
ter. Squire Packard's name and Saral
Brackets, our old washer-woman, were
written below as witnesses.
every well," said John. "That't
good in law, I fancy; or if not, you are
the nearest relations, and it's yours any.
way. What property did your aunt owl
besides this house ?"
"She had an annuity of two hundred
and fifty year, and fifty dollars more
from some turnpike stock That's all
except the house and furniture, and there
is a mortgage of three hundred dollars
on that. Squire Packard holds it. The
annuity stops now, doesn't it?"
John looked as though be wanted Il
whistle, but refrained.