Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-05-23
ISLAND POND, VERMONT, FRIDA

anu lllG lONNl uOOl wa lulnNh luNO u
shop for tailor with an unpronounce-
able name. He was a good-natured
man, with quite an ear for music; and
aunty said he might add Won to his
name if he wanted to, which privilege
he was sensible enough to refuse, as it
was ever too much too long already.
l went to the store very heavy-hearted
that morning, and could scarce get pa
tience to endure the whims and ways of
my customers On the way home my
head began to ache as well as my heart;
but before l was well up the stoop /
heard the jingle of the piano. Tom was
there before me, and he and Daisy were
singing away at the old yellow keys,
while aunty in her usual chair by the
window, dressed in the rusty alpaca
that she had worn at least a hundred
afternoons, keeping time, in her accus-
toned way. with her thin, ong-fingered
patrician hand.
The day was closing gently without
wind or rain, and at parting the sun shed
flattering beam upon the faded old
room, the threadbare carpet, the horse
hair seats, and stiff old engravings. One
lingering ray fell full upon the lovely
head of Daisy as she stood there singing
away at the top of her voice, her mouth
opened wide, her cheeks glowing, her
eyes shining like sapphires. 1t was an
old lyric of Heyward's, of which aunty
never grew tired. Tom had squared
himself to the piano with the air of a
professor, and in his way was as fair to
look upon as Daisy herself.
Zach, wunderschonw said voice
from the door, and there was the old
German tailor from the floor below
rubbing his hands in ecstasy. Indeed,
as the song said, they borrowed their
notes from the lark and nightingale, so
full and rich and sweet were they!
Since ever these children had been able
to raise note they had warbled to-
gether to the jingling of this worn-out
old spindle-thread of an instrument. 1t
was the only amusement, the one dis
traction, of the household. The Bal
briggans were musical family; aunty
had once a fine contralto of her own {;
and though | could not carry tune, /
had a fine appreciation for the sweet
burden of those more fortunate, and
thanked God fervently for this gift to
yonder two, who sang and sang away
long after aunty and had gone to dish
up the evening meal. | took heart of
grace, and grew content once more.
Let's leave it all to God, DEAR" /
whispered to Tom. "He who cares for
the fall of sparrow will not see as
want"
"Hum-yes," said Tom, raising his
eyebrows and struggling his shoulders
tricks he had learned from the foreign
ers about s-"yes; but God helps them
that help themselves; and while we're
| ~, ho ia, D,,1J,, IN,,tE g.,
get that nice little parable about the
fellow who came to grief through hiding
his talent in napkin. We must do the
best we can with whatever accomplish
ments we have; eh, Pruep"
I'm sure I've always striven-n |
began, for the words of the boy hurt
me.
"Now, Prudy," he broke in, "who
said you didn't? I'm only alluding to
Others"
"Well. as for you" l began again
but he cut me short by declaring that he
had been second Hercules. "Who,
then, do you meanp" said, wondering
ly; for what could poor old aunty do
more than she did, and Daisy was but
child as yet-barely twenty the coming
June.
"Nous verrons," said Tom, who in
terlarded his conversation in this poly
glot way. ...
From that time out Tom did work
like heather Hercules. Every night
he went back to the office, and worked
there till close on to midnight. had
no idea that in the insurance business
people could be so hurried, and, indeed
had heard of considerable depression in
all the mercantile branches; but Tom
assured me that the rush in his line o.
business was remarkable; that people
stood in q line and waited till their turn
came around, and there seemed to be nc
diminution in the rush as yet. He
hoped it would last till the summer, anC
begin again with renewed zeal with the
gales of autumn.
"Life and property are so uncertain,
l said, mournfully. But I'm afrait
you'll be worn out, Tom"
"Not at all, he cried; az rather en-.
Joy it. It's good fun, you know, to Sc,
people so excited and enthusiastic. Tn
going TO take Daisy down there tonight
Prue. She's crazy to go, and what OF
earth harm can there be? Now yol
know love her better than my life; anC
do you suppose I'd risk hurting a hail
, of her lovely head? But believe there
more in her then anybody fancies In
going to see, anyhow. And don't lool
J as if you'd seen II ghost, Prue. I'll b,
, there to look after her."
"But what can the child do therep"
"Dor he cried. "Der Liebe Him
melm Tom gasped and shook his head q
if the subject was too much for him
Then he added, more soberly "She cal
do lots of things, ,Prudy-sorting out pen
! and paper, and-and lots of things
You've no objection to her going any
where under my protection, have you?
| "N-no," stammered; but | didn'
, half like it, and couldn't understand ii
eff she must do something, why can't
| get her a situation in the store wit
t mep"
"Pah! Never!" said Tom. "Goo
gracious! | should think not Tha
g would be another case of hiding one
light under bushel: and such o bushel
| Now just leave it to me, Prue."
: was silent, butnot convinced. Aunt
was more easily won over. Tom wa
her oracle. She never appealed fror
= Tom.
s So Daisy went, with much shynes
: md confusion and trembling, from whic
1 l augured that this experiment woul
S soon spend itself What was m
n chagrin when, several days after, Dais,
: with burst of tears, threw herself VI
e on my neck, and declared that hereaftt
S she could bear her share of the famil
G expenses; that her venture was su,
cess, and she was engaged.
+ / looked from her to Tom, my thi
d slow blood beginning to quicken.
l. Engaged =" | repeated.
d eyes" said Tom, glibly, "she made
l. hit; / told you she would Tt w;
o splendid. She carried everything b
n fore her. never was so proud of an.
d thing in my life"
70 IIn.rr O1 nnid Irnhn,.l,r