Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-02-03
Red Benton.

large as Red Benton, it having been so
named by the juvenile portion of its oc-
cupants.
"The old house isn't of genteel
color, my dears," Prudence, the eldest
was won't to say. "It looks thoroughly
ashamed of itself, and stands blushing
behind the row of poplars, as red as
ever it can; but l am proud of the old
fashioned, it is made of good stuff" and
she would glance with keen approval
toward the keeping room table, sur
rounded by row of rosy-cheeked girls.
Yet, Notwithstanding these remarks.
Prudence had her own little .vanities,
her foibles, and small ambitions, which
were in no way SO conspicuous as in her
plans for alleviating the pecuniary diff
ficulties of the family. "We must all
make our own living" was her frequent
remark, "but in some way which cannot
compromise her dignity"
"If we were only grown-up we might
turn school ma ans at once" remarked
one of her sisters on one of these occa-
sions "but girls hardly in their teens
are not likely to get situations, however
well-advanced they may be-"
Bound the State of Missouri, Dora
thy. Olive, spell separate What's a
parallelopipedon, Jemima ?" Prudence
was in the habit of breaking out in all
sorts of odd places with these irrelevant
questions, preparing her sisters for the
examining committee, before whom each
in due time expected to present herself.
For once, Jemima hardly needed the
inquisition; within the confines of her
own soul, she was holding secret coun-
Gil, for reading in the Benton Eagle
that the school committee would exam
inc candidates for situations on certain
date, this young person had determined
to try her luck, come veal or woe; and
that the venture might not be attended
in case of failure, she concluded to run
over to Benton and meet her fate alone.
1t was bright, fresh day in early
summer, when Jemima climbed the bars
that separated the barnyard from the
orchard, and glanced anxiously back at
the little diamond-paned windows of the
farmhouse that overlooked the path
beyond. No human being was visible +;
yet it was not until the view was broken
by rising ground that Jemima felt her
self unobserved.
Once on the other side of the hill, she
tied her sunbonnet under her chin with
a jerk, and ran with all her might, until
painting with exertion she brought up
at the little wicket gate leading to
Squire Whites house, where the dread
tribunal was assembled. Passing up
the narrow walk between the holyhocks,
larkspurs and poppies, some one with a
flushed face and all the signs of great
mental perturbation bounced out of the
house. 1t vast was Prudence. The
two girls confronted each other mo-
ment in dire confusion then knowing
smile broke upon the broad expanse of
their good-natured faces.
"Did you get situation ?" asked
Jemima, dropping provoking little
courtesy.
"They said needed more schooling,
ma'am," was the brief reply.
Jemima groaned, and disappeared
within, rejOining her sister soon after,
however, looking so snubbed and un-
Jemima-like that Prudence, who had
been lurking about the place to learn
the result of the interview, did not need
to be told of its i'll success. "Don't
tell them at home, Prue," was all she
said.
Under existing circumstances it was
not hard to exact promise of the strict
est secrecy, for Prudence was very re
luctant to lose the ascendency that hel
supposed scholarship gave her in the
little circle over which she dominated
Trudging along the homeward path to-
gether, the spirit of the sunny, cheerful
day revived Jemima not little. Blu
what were sweet clover field and glow
ing orchards to Prudence, with tn
words Of the committee ringing in he
ears?
"We're too poor to live," she cried
knocking the stones about contemptu
ly. "What is the use of trying to ex
ist any longer ?"
Jemima did not answer for moment
she was looking at the bright plant
quietly drinking in the balmy air, ant
all the glad nature about her as it re
newed itself with unceasing activity
"Surely," she exclaimed at length, 18th
Lord meant that there should be enoug
for ALL"
"Then why are so many starving :?
pursued Prudence
perhaps they are only willing t
gather in their harvest through the me
,, dium of teaching" she answered, arch
/ ly.
Prudence blushed wildly. but reptile
with some spirit, "Pray what else can
do, Jemima?''
l | xsVo,, bo hood A. Ia .Io-x- -,