Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-07-09
The Widow Grant.

i1tIGy rTeueIlChS, d1eu ulHel6ou, suOt
in the battle of Fredericksburgh."
Such was part of the inscription upon
plain marble slab in the little cemetery
of Allandale.
Mrs. Grant, strolling by the grave. stop
ped for IL moment to read the simple
record.
aged nineteen" she murmured. "Only
boy"
And then, rs if by some subtle feeling
of sympathy, she sat down on the soft turf
near by and let her thoughts 90 wandering
back to that mournful ime when so many
homes were SO desolate, because their
"boys" were in the midst of danger and
death.
Harry. Our Harry to somebody"
she said to herself, gathering a spray of
myrtle that trailed about the grass, and
laying it tenderly in her palm. "A blue
eyed, blonde-haired Harry, broad-chested
and strong-armed. A warm hearted big
soued Harry, brave AS lion and tender
us woman somebody's darling, some
body's stay and consolation"
The tears stood in the woman's eyes and
dropped over her cheeks. She, too, had
lost Il Harry-the love of her girlhood, the
husband of her young womanhood.
81 wonder who this Harry's mother
WASP" she thought, and if she is living
stillP"
And then she tried to imagine how n
mother must feel when the child she had
nursed and reared, who bears about in
himself the very heart of her own being,
goes away to battle to kill or be,killed.
{" 1t is hard she said, hard, hard!'
And pressing her lips for a moment upon
heart, she rose and walked away.
From the cemetery she went to the main
street of the town, and, going into dry
goods store, proceeded to examine satins
and ribbons.
"Can have the goods on n.three months
creditp" she asked, after deciding upon
several articles.
mo. madam" answered the clerk,
curtly, {" l have orders to the contrary"
Very we'll"
A desparing look fell upon the pale,
sweet face, and Mary Grant walked out of
the store and to her little home of three
rooms over Tom Hanson's bakery.
What was she to do nexlp Sarsnet & Co.
would trust her no longer, and they had
been her main dependence. She sat down
in the middle of her tiny shop, and looked
with n sort of stolid grief at the specimen
bonncts and hats that should have been
finished long ago. and ut the old ladies
caps that seemed. in their grim impertur-
ability, to be giving her silent lesson
upon the falacy of human hopes.
How she hated them at that minute, this
little milliner, who six months before had
sat contente,lly making these same caps
with their black dotted lace and purple
bows and illusion ruchings! But, then
she was sustained by hope, and that make:
all the difference.
Mary Grant, a soldiers widow, came tc
Allan1ale with less than $50 capital in hel
shabby little wallet. She had few pieces
of furniture, and n letter of introduction
to Sarsnet & Co. from city merchant wbt
had done the firm many good turn frs
and last. With these assets and sundry
liabilities, the young widow had hoped t(
strike n favorable balance, and build up ;
business by which she could support {
humble home.
But she had not been fortunate. In the
first place, Mahitable Pillsbury, an ole
maid, with bank bills as numerous as he
wrinkles, had set up business block Of
two away. Her show. window was gor
geous with pattern hats, rich ribbons ant
laces. and she kept standing advertise
ment in the Allandale Enterprise.
1t made little difference that Mar,
Grants millinery was artistic, while Mis-
Pillsbury's was only snowy and stylish.
The Allandale fair ones were not artist
themselves, and aimed at nothing highe
than keeping up with their neighbors. S,
il happened that the widows hats and cap
stood upon their standards, till as | hav
said, they seemed to leer at her with ridic
ulous and accusing aspect.
She could not make her first paymen
to Sarsnet & Co. on time. They gave he
an extension, but she failed again to pa
the whole amount, and al last, as we hav
seen, the firm refused to trust her 70
goods.
She sat there, thinking of those disap
pointments, and wondering. in dull way
what she should do in the future.
"Tll clear the show-window," she said
and put up tin sign for plain sewing
or fine washing. I should like the wash
ing best. Wouldn't that be bitter pill
for the aristocratic Grants! At m,
rate, believe could earn my living tina
way, and now | am getting in debt ever,
day."
Just at Mrs. Grant arrived at this dsa
greeable conclusion, the shop-bell rang.
Somebody for yard of five-cent rib
bon," she muttered going languidly to tn
door and opening it,
A bright, sweet faced girl of twelv
years or thereabouts. came in and asket
for straw hat. While the milliner showed
her assortment, the child explained tina
she also wanted bonnet for their baby
little Sally.
"She's two years DID," added the Gus
TONER" and l want something suitable
"Why didn't your mother come ant
bring little SallyP" asked Mrs. Grant.
We haven't any mamma; at least, no
/ here in this world. She died two year
J ago when baby was born"
And who keeps house?"
Il do" answered the child quite simply
"You?n
"Yes. Papa is TOO poor to hire house
keeper. Aunty Baker, mammals sister
wants him to break mp, and let her hav
baby; but papa and can't bear to- and 3
, I'm housekeeper, and papa helps me
Aunty says it's ridiculous; but we would
, rather have our own wouldn't you
f ma'amp"
I Indeed l should, my DEAR answere
t the widow, her eyes glistening.
5 You see," said the girl, growing quit
t confidential in Mary Grants sympatheti
! atmosphere, I" my papa's q minister. II
/ breaches at Hunts Corner. His churc
t is small, and they don't pay him much"
4 "And there's nobody home but you an
f papa and babyp"
! No. We had Harry once, but /
went to war. Papa thinks mamma ws
! never so strong after that. He thinks
Harry had staid at home mamma migl