Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25
That Five Dollars.
\ CHRISTMAS STORY.

a CHRISTMAS STORY.
My story begius in a quiet little room
whose window overlooked retired street in
a large town. As there was only week
before Christmas, the street was, perhaps,
rather more lively than usual, and young
woman, sitting at the window, watched the
people passing and repassing in the light of
the winter afternoon. 1t may give some in
sight into Mercy Varleigh's character when
we learn that she could spare few kindly
thoughts to these passers-by, although her
mind was fully occupied with trials and
perplexities of its own. As they went and
came, her heart followed them with silent
blessings-young and old rich and poor,
she prayed that they might all have happy
Christmas. 1t is a bad sign when we think
that the whole heaven ought to be dark be-
cause the little bit of sky just over our heads
happens to be clouded.
By-and-by there was a rattle of wheels in
the street, and then handsome carriage
stopped at Mr.. Varleigh's door, lady
and little girl languidly disencumbered them
selves of their fur rugs and descended, not
unconscious that they were attracting some
notice. Mercy went to meet them on the
threshold.
"Cold weather, isn't it, Mercy ?" said
Mrs. Hardy, kissing her sister. =" But Ade-
aide and are fond of fresh air, and we
would not use the coupe to-day. How are
father and mother2'
"Not in very good spirits Lydia" Mercy
answered. But they will be glad to see
you"
The value of one of Mrs. Hardy's diamond
rings would have purchased all the furni-
ture and simple ornaments in that little par
lor and yet there was always an air of com
fort and refinement about the room. Per
haps lydia wondered why it was that her
own satin and velvet-covered chairs and
costly tables did not make her grand house
look more like a home. But there were no
such thoughts as these in the mind of her
daughter; Adelaide looked about her, and
marveled, for the hundredth time, how
grandfather and grandmother and Aunt
Mercy could live in that poky place.
"Well, father" said Lydia, taking chair
by the old mans side, this failure of Bel
mont's is terrible business It's great
blow for you and dear mother"
Yoo, Lydia, yee," responded Mr.. Var
| leigh, patiently. "Iye been there for six
| teen years, ever since my own failure, you
know, and he knows that served him faith
| fully. It's hard thing for man of my
| axe W bt llloMl put VI
al wish my husband had place to offer
YOU" said Mrs. Hardy, with evident sin
cerity.
81 shouldn't like Mark to turn away any
of his people on my account" Mr.. Varleigh
replied. at would not be fair, Lydia. |
don't think, however, that | shall find any
thing to do in this town. it seems to me
that my work here is DONE
| but, father, where would you seek EN-.
ployment if not here 7" asked Lydia, in
a troubled tone. "You surely win not go
among strangers 7"
| Your mother and | have been talking
the matter over" he answered; "and last
week | wrote to Mr.. Powell, asking if he
had room for me in his establishment. You
| know that he is one of my oldest friends
| Well his answer came this morning, and he
says neither yes nor no, but tells me to come
up to the city tomorrow and adds that he
should like to see his godchild again"
"And you are going, father ? And Mercy
too p said Lydia.
"Yes We think that the sight of her
may make him feel still more kindly toward,
us. lie lost daughter of his own not long
ago.
1t is bitter weather for journey,
Lydia remarked. Aud then she glanced a
Mercy sitting by the window in her well
worn serge dress.
Now Mercy was a daily governess, and hat
by no means a liberal salary. The sum tina
the journey would cost was mere trifle tC
the rich merchants wife, but it was a seri
Gus matter to the poor teacher.
Mrs. Hardy had been shopping that after
noon-buying pretty things for Adelaide
Christmas tree, and bats and balls for he
two boys. Then, too, she had seen som
lace which was just the thing for that ney
dress of hers, and she had bought that, AM
a few costly articles which had tempted hel
She had gone out with plenty of money il
her pocket, and was coming home with el
actly five dollars in her purse. A journe
to the city would cost sixty cents. Som,
, thing (what was it y prompted her to sli
! that bill into her sisters hand as she sal
! goodbye.
| But as she stood up to depart she resiste
/, the impulse. She was not, on the Who'll,
/ very well pleased with Mercy that youn
> woman was too straightforward to flatte
aud too sensible to be awed by Mrs. Hardy
wealth and grandeur. If, instead of hol
= estly getting her own living, she had hun
}, around Lydias neck like milestone, an
had paid her for her favors with unlimite
/. homage, Mrs. Hardy would have felt MOI
n kindly disposed towards her. Aud so Lyd
y hardened herself, and Kept the hVe dolla
/ in her pocket.
v "Good-by, Mercy, she said "you WI
find 1t very cold in the train tomorrow.
ar advise you to have footwarmer,
n Her sister smiled to herself, thinking
n the curious appropriateness oil certain BIB
re- words to the present occasion: And II OF
10 OF you say, Depart IN peace, be ye warm'
m and filled notwithstanding ye give the
not those things which are needful to Il
body, what doth it profit =
Another text was ringing In Lydia's ca