Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-09-27
MISS VTNTS FRIEND.

MISS MIN y + MIRA ~.
Frank. do you know anything about the
queer little person who sits opposite to us at
the dinner table? Miss Mint they call her.
Is She n teacher, or what;'
Frank Hastings-a young man who for siX
months had enjoyed 'all the comforts and
convenences Of private home at Mrs.
StarkweatheI's select boarding house, No.
Ii Street lighted a fresh cigar before he
answered, rather lauguidly:
"No; she's something ten times worse-a
sort of reporter She goes round to churches
and lecturo-rooms, trying To pick up the few
crumbs the other reporters have left behind
'em. There's only one paper employs her
regularly, and that at a starvation price. She
wears one dress all the year round, sports a
bonnet handed down to her by her great
grandmother. and rooms in the attic, for
which precious privilege and her dinner she
pays Mrs. Starkweathor three dollars a week.
Bah ~ concluded Frank, in a tone Of disgust,
AS he threw one leg over another and sat gaz-
into the fire.
Poor soul! she's to be piti,d I'm sure. "
said Caleb Darley. who being hard working
reporter himself, and tendor-henrted man
besides, felt some sympathy for the little crca-
ture they were discussing.
Nonsense '' said Frank, sharply. "Why
don't she try her hand at something else p
dres,makpg, or teaching, or some other work
tit for "a woman =
Perhaps she hasn't lhe chance or the tai
,ut to do either" barley replied.
Then let her stay at home and help about
the hous,. Come to think of it, though, !
believe She has 10 home. Shes an 'orphiug
S'poso It's rather rough for the poor thing, 10
said Frank with slight tinGe Of compuuc-
tion in his voice. But come. barley, let's
Mf-. Mint "A lt .t4lti.,t Have
another cigar"
Thank you, 10 must be OH I've got
to report IS sermon to night
Poor fellow. Glad Tn not in your line
of business, 80 said Frank who was a clerk in
large wholesale store. wonder if little
Mints going; You might escort her home,
barley. 1t would be quite new sensation
for her, aud just think how all the fellows on
the street would envy you ~
"Oh, leave poor little Miss Mint alone. "
said barley, as he walked toward the door.
Remember, she's swimming against stiff
stream like the most Of us. aud finds it hard
work TO keep her head above water. Don't
throw stones at her"
"'Pon my word, you're deteloping poet
ical vein. This is really getting dangerous.
Well, good-by for the present, old chap look
in again after church, will you =
NO must 60 to the Office, said Caleb,
rs he went out.
In her room, two stories higher up, Miss
Mint was putting on her bonnet: quite un-
conscious Of how she Was being discussed be
low
She was very small and slight. this poor
little heroine Of ours, with face that nigh,
have been pretty before before priyation and
anxiety stole its bloom and plumpness away.
Her glossy brown hair was brushed in smooth
waves over her forehead she had large ten
| der gray eyes and mouth that, for all il
resolution and character, had pathetic droor
at the corners that seemed to have become
habitual She was nearly twerty-three, but
| looked at least two years older.
Her little room was rs bare and comfortlos,
u place as could be imagined No furnace
heat could penetrate up here, aud Miss Mint,
hands were so numb with cold she could
scarcely pin her shawl The floor of tn,
room, unpaintcd and bare save for n strip o
rag-carpet by the bed; the ugly little wash
| stand in one corner, with its clumsy bowl aut
| pitcher; the Unlocking wooden chair tina
made your back ache to look at it. and tn,
bed itself, with its tawdry, faded counterpart,
| it was dreary picture for poor little Eilel
| Mints bcauty-loving eyes to rest on. Sh,
had done her best to brighten it two o
| three pictures she had brought with her huni
on the walls, the little table by the window
was covered with books, and delicate glas
vase she was too poor to fill with the flower
she loved stood ON the bureau. There wer
Il couple of hanging shelves on the wall, O
which only the upper one, with her work
basket on it, was visible a green and whit
calico curtain hid the rest This was he
cupboard.
But We return to Miss Mint herself, who i
down stairs and out Of the door 10y this time
She is a quick walker and in a few moment
! finds herself at the entrance to the church, al
ready besieged by an anxious crowd who ar
kept in check hy the ushers and couple 0
policemen. Miss Mint does not attempt I
press in here; she slips round by side dooI
and Gn usher, who knows her by this time
plants chair for her at 10 great distanc
from the pulpit She sinks mechanically int
into it, and sits in a sort of n stupor for
while-the change from her dark, chilly rool
to this warmth and dazzle of light makes he
head swim and her heart tremble. But he
nerves are naturally strong and steady, an
she soon rouses herself, determined not {
give way to a weakness she has never felt bt
fore, and which for a moment filled her wit
dsmay.
The grand voice of the organ echoes throug
the church. and Ellen, who loves music
soon absorbed in listening, and feels for
time uplifted above the cares and sorrows
this world. The music and the prayers al
the richest part of the service to her in I,
porting the sermon she has to follow ever
word so closely that it takes away from IL
enjoyment of listening
Caleb barley, seated among the other r
porters, catches glimpse of her, and aft,
that his keen gray eyes wander in that dire
ton pretty often. There is a mingling
pity and interest in his glance-he is larg
hearted, chivalrous sort of fellow, all the mo-
ready to befriend woman because she
lonely and unprotected.
The services were over and little Miss Min
slipping her notebook and pencil into h
. pocket, threaded her way through the CROW
, to the side door
Good evening, Miss Mint" said a voice
her elbow, rs she stepped out into the fre'
air.
Ellen started and looked up. "Oh goo
evening, Mr., Darley," she said little co
fusedly as she recognized him.
"Will you take my arm 2" said Caleb, c
2 fering it in such a matter of fact way that
3 len complied at once, though feeling mo
, embarrassed than pleased by the attention.
Il see you are in my line of business, Mi
Mint, said Caleb, pleasantly, as they left Il
crowded street for one that led to their boar
3 ing-honse, Ellen laughed a little and
I went on with kindness of manner that ma
( you pardon its bluntness "And how do y,
4 like the life? Excuse me if am rude, but
Y can't help taking an interest in fellow-labC
q or, you know"
''YOu are very kind" said Ellen simpl