St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-01-31

slowly, by twos and thIees, the open
door f1inging food of light out into the |
hall. AT last only one fingered, and
Mrs. Wilkin listened intently as she |
caught his voice.
'Now Tim," said the little knitting
81 like to have you come, you
know that, and I'll help you all can,
but you really must tell your aunt about
it.n
"Well, you see, don't know what
she'll say" began Tim irresoulutly.
"But that shouldn't hinder you from
doing your duty"
''DOn't know about that" said Tim
still doubtfully. "You see Aunt Liz
beth's got an awful mount of duty of
her own, and it's such a particular kind
that other folks can't get much chance
to do theirs only when hers is a nap
PIN. Why Uncle Reub gives my mother
lots of meat, but he just slips it off and
don't tell"
"Well, if you don't know what is right
for you, do know what is right for
me-" said the little teacher with a quiet
laugh 'and l can't let you come again
until you tell your aunt how you spend
your evenings"
Mrs. Wilkin nodded vigorous APP
prOval, but it was evident that Tim de-
parted i'll state of dissatisfaction.
There was sound of a crutch tap
ping on the floor, and Mrs. WiIkin re-
membered that little lame brother had
sometimes gone about with the knit
ting-woman. They two were left alone
in the room, and went around shaking
out the fire, and putting up books and
papers.
''Only ten cents week for each one
that's so little," said the boyish tones
musngly.
eyes, but it isn't so very much that !
can teach them" answered the little
woman humbly. "And then it's all they
can afford to pay, poor things And you
know we began more for their sakes
than our own, though we do need
money. Courage, though, johnny il
all counts, and you shall have yom
OvercOat pretty soon now. Besides. this
is work that blesses both ways-in wha
we give as well as what we get"
If she could only pass that open door
Mrs. Wilkin was growing benumbed 10y
standing so long in the cold. Finally
the lights were extinguished, and tn,
two came ont. just then, fortunately
Johnny remembered that they had lef
Il book behind them, and as the uncon
scious jailers turned back the prisone
seized her opportunity and escaped.
She was sitting alone by the fire whel
Tim, who had made his hOmeward rOut
sufficiently circuitOus to include a cal
on his mother, returned. He sat dow
near her, twisted his fingers uDeasily
and Mrs. Wilkin guessed what wa
coming.
"There's been an evenim' school start
ed here, Aunt 'Liz'beth."
so | understand" responded Mrs
Wilkin, cOolly.
"Why, | ought'-began Tim witt
wide-Open eyes of surprise, and thel
checked himself with sudden retiec
tion that it might not be wise to Iecai
the conversation of the morning. "T'C
like to go to it--that is, l have beel
once or twice." he said. "Fact is, Aun
'LiZ'beth, when we lived down the river
before you took me, there wasn't any
school for me to go to, and so I'm be
hind other fellers. Miss Kelsy she make,
'rithmetic so plain, and helps me witt
writin', and So
"You might do worse" said Mrs
Wilkin, briefly. SEQ if you want to
Only one thing, Timothy Stone, | won'
have any ten cent business about it
Honest is honest, and it's worth moIe'u
| ten cents week to teach you anything
as know
Tim forgot to he astonished at his
aunt's knowledge, and overlooked the
reflection upon himself, in the pleasure
of expressing a desire that he had cher
ished secretly but hopelessly.
"She wouldn't take any more pay,
cause she'd want to serve all alike, but
oh, Aunt 'Liz'beth, if just could give
her and Johnny something nice for
Christmas ~
"Humph I'll think about it," an
swered Mrs. Wilkin not disapprOvingly.
"Liz'beth," began Mr.. Wilkin, ner-
vously, the next morning, 81 wouldn't
say nothin TO anybody about thieves, or
watchin' them mill folks, if l was YOU
81 don't mean to-" replied his wife,
with an odd pucker about her lips.
"Well, Pm glad of it-I really am"
said Mr.. Wilkin in tone of great re-
lief. 81 don't think anybody's stole any
thing, and somehow it seems to me as
IL Jul uuty Ho"duityS is SOou uedl ike
it was when them Israelites took Jeri-
chO-only just marchin' against the bit
of wall that's right in front of US, and
lettin' our neighbor take care of what's
in front of him. 1t sort of seems that
way, Liz'beth."
Mrs. Wilkin did not answer, but she
took her revenge that evening, when
Mr.. Wilkin was going out.
''Reuben," she said quietly, ''if you
see any thieves round our smOke-house,
just tell 'em there's a couple of chickens
hanging near the door, that dressed a
purpose. It's natural that Belinda'd like
a change of meat as well as other
folks."-Kate W. Hamilton.