Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-17

tue letter, lor l came away alter 1unty
died. You see wasn't her own niece
only sort of distant relation; and she
took me because my own people were
gone. Her son had all she left; it wasn't
much; and she told him to be good to me.
But | soon saw that was q burden, and
couldn't bear to stay. So went away to
take care of myself liked it at first, but
this winter times are so hard and work so
scarce ] don't get on at ALL"
"What do you do, missp" asked Whit
tington. with added respect; because in
her shabby dress and altered face he read
the story of a struggle Lefty was too proud
to tell.
" sew" she answered briefly, smooth
ing out her wet shawl with hand so thin
and small it was pathetic to see, when one
remembered that nothing but n needle in
those slender fingers kept want and sin at
bav.
The kindly fellow seemed TO feel that,
as his eye went from his own strong right
arm to the sledge hammer ho often swung,
the instinct Of protection so keen in manly
men made him long to stand between
poor Lefty and the hard world he knew so
well. The magnetism of sympathy ire
sistably attracted iron to steel, while little
needle felt assured big hammer would be
able to beat down many obstacles which
now seemed insurmountable, if she only
dared to ask for aid. But help came with
out the asking.
l." Been after work, you sayP Why we
could give you heaps of it. if you don t
mind its being coarse and plain. This
sort of thing, you KNOW" touching his red
shirt with business-like air. Our men
use 'em altogether and like 'em strong in
the seams. Some amt. and buttons fly of
just looking at 'em. That makes Il fellow
mad and swearing comes easy
But Lefty shook her head, though she
couldn't help smiling ut his sober way OF
explaining the case and its sad conse-
quences.
1--WE tried that work and it doesn't pay.
Six cents for II shirt, and sometimes ONLY
four, isn't enough to earn one board and
clothes and fire, even if one made half II
dozen Il day. You can't get them for
that and somebody grows rich while we
starve
" Hanged if ever buy another! See
here, you make me enough for year and
we'll have fair bargain between us. That
is if you can t do better and don't mind, y
he added, suddenly abalng his warmth
and looking almost bashful over the well
ment proposals.
I'D love to do it. Only you musn't
pay too much" said Lefty, glad of any
thing to keep her hands and thoughts busy
for life was very bare and cold just then.
"All right, I'll see to it directly, and
nobody be the WISER" returned her new
employer, privately resolving to order {;
bale of red flannel on the morrow and pay
fabulous prices for the work of the little
friend who had once kept him from worse
than starvation.
1t was not much TO offer, and red flannel
was not n romantic subject of converse.
ton; but something in the prompt relic
and the hearty goodwill of the man wenI
to Letty's heart, already full to overlooking
with many cares and troubles. She trieC
to thank him; but could only cover hel
face and sob. 1t was so sweet and com
Portable to find any one who cared enough
for her to lift her out of the slough of DIES
pond, which was to her rs dangerous 8
mood as the desperate one he had known
There were hands enough 10 beckon The
winsome creature to the wrong side of the
qnagmire, where so many miss the step
ping stones. But she felt that this was
The right side. and the hand an honest one
though rough and grimy with hard work
So the tears were glad and grateful tears
and she let them flow, melting the fata
frost that had chilled her hope and faith ir
God and man.
But the causer of them could not beal
the sight, for the contrast between this for
lorn girl and the blithe, blooming Lefty o
that memorable day was piteous. Man
like, he tried to express his sympathy ir
deeds, as we'll as words, and, hastily filling
a tin cup from the coffee-can, pressed j
upon her with n fatherly stroke of the ben
head and a soothing:
Now, my dear, just take sip of this
and don't cry any more. Wen straighter
things out. So cheer up, and let me len(
a hand anywhere, anyhow"
But hunger and fear, WEAKNESS and cole
had been too much for poor Lefty, and il
the act of lifting up her face to thank him
the light left her eyes, and she would have
slipped to the ground, if he had not caugh
her
In minute she was herself again
lying on the old rug, with snow upon hel
forehead and some one tanning her with a
newspaper.
IL thought I was going to die," sh'
whispered, looking about her in II dazet
sort of way.
Not bit of it! You're going to sleep
That's what you want, and old Sally
going to sit bv while you do it. It's :
hardish pillow, but I've put my handker
chief over it, and being Monday, it's spick
and-span Clean
Lefty smiled as she turned her check t'
the faded silk handkerchief laid over thu
rolled up coat under her head, for pussy
was nesting close beside her, as if he
presence was both Il comfort and defence
Yet the girls eyes even while she smiled
for, when most desoate u friend had brel
raised up to her; and though the fac
bending over her was dark and shagg,
there was no fear in her own, as she said
half appealingly, half confdingly:
IL don't believe could go if tried
I'm so worn out. But you'll take care o
me, and in the morning show me the wa.
home?"
Please God l will" he answered, Il
solemnly as if taking an oath, adding. as
he stepped back to the stool she had left
II shall stay here and read my paper
Nothing shall scare you; so make yourself
comfortable and drop off with an easy
mind"
Sitting there he saw her lay her hands
together, as if she said some little prayer
then. turning her face from the light, sh
fell asleep, lulled by the drowsy purr o
the humble friend to whom she clung eveI
in her dreams. lie only looked minute
for something that was neither the SHIN
mer of freight nor the glitter of snow
dust made tho group dance mistily befor'
his eyes, and, forgetting his paper, he fel
to drying Letty's hat.
1t was both comical and pleasant to SCI
how tenderly he touched the battere'
thing, with what interest he surveyed it
perched on his big hand,and how CAREFUL.
he smoothed out the ribbons, evidently
much bcwildered rs to which was the
front and which the back. Giving up the
puzzle, he hing it on the handle of tn
great hammer, and, leaning his chin OF