Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-07-21


the sloveny dressed girl, with disheveled
hair, who stood by the breakfast-table dab.
bling the cups and saucers in some greasy
water, and wiping them on a towel, which,
to say the least, was very far from being
| spotlessly clean. She colored, and with
some confusion said:
"Ah, good morning, Mr.. Meredith. So
| you have come TO find us all at work this
morning. 1t happens that we have for our
three servants a brother and two sisters.
They received this morning the news of
their mothers dangerous illness, and mamma
at once gave them all permission TO go home.
We supposed we could get woman who
| sometimes does extra work for US, but she
was engaged for the day. so we are obliged
I TO do the best we can ourselves. / assure
you," she continued with little laugh,
which Tom had often thought pretty and
| engaging, but which now sounded false
and affected, that | am by no means accus-
toned to such work, nor have ] any desire
| to become So"
| "Cannot you allow me to assist you 2"
added Tom, politely, g. was brought up on
a farm, and have often washed dishes and
made myself generally useful in the kitchen"
"You" exclaimed Adele, in such an as
tonished tone that Tom could not forbear
laughing.
"Yss, certainly; why not 2" asked Tom.
"Oh, don't know-only thought-you
never did anything" stammered Adele
then endeavoring TO seem at ease she said,
"Yes, " if you will help, take the tea.kettle
into the kitchen and set it on the stove"
Tom seized the kettle, and throwing open
the door leading to the kitchen, was cross
ing the room toward the stove when his prog
ress was arrested by the sudden appearance
OF Ida from storeroom beyond. If Adele
looked slovenly and disheveed, what shall
be said of Ida? An old dress, dirty and
torn, slippers run down at the heel and
burst out at the sides, no collar nor rufile,
very little hair instead of the magnificent
tresses he had often admired, and what there
was hanging uncombed about her face, no
wonder that Tom stared in blank astonish-
ment.
A heavy frown took the place Of the
usual smile, as she curtly bade him good
morning. Tom mut.ered an apology for his
intrusion as he deposited his burden on the
stove, and turned to retrace his steps just as
Violet entered the dining-rooin. She did
not see him, but addressing Ida, said
"Run away, now, Ida dear, and dress be-
fore the callers come for you. have already
sent Adele up stairs, and will finish the
dishes, now that | have done my sweeping"
"You have been long enough about it,
hope" muttered Ida, ungraciously, but nev-
ertheless availing herself of her sisters offer
, with much celebrity " Here are the dish
towels, Violet" she said, extending several
greasy, blackened articles to the young girl.
Tom stood meditating an escape not an
easy affair, as the sisters stood directly in
his path but at the word dish towels he in
voluntarily stopped and glanced around.
NO wonder my grandmother cautioned
me- was his first thought, as the soiled
} towels met his sight and he hastily approved
} the look of disgust which crossed Noilets
, face as she laid them aside, and opening
drawer she took from it splendid supply,
, soft and clean.
Ida and Adele had both disappeared, aud
3 Tom ventured to renew his offer of assist
ance to Violet, who started little, as she
for the first time noticed his presence. But
! she recovered her composure at once, and
quietly answered, as she deftly filled the
dish-pan with clean, hot suds;
"No, thank you, Mr. Meredith. shall
? do very well without assistance My sisters
' have not left very much for me to do. You
had better walk into the parlor and they
Y will soon join you"
!, "No, indeed" replied Tom, /" will take
! myself out of the way, with apologies for
: my untimely intrusion, unless you will really
Y let me be of some service. And believe
I me-" he added earnestly, with an admiring
glance at the neat little figure tripping so
0 lightly about the kitchen and mentally con-
r trasting her with her two sisters "you will
make me happy by allowing me to help you"
s "Oh, very WE'LL" said Violet, smiling and
. blushing little, as she met his gaze ." If
!, you are really in need of employment, will
t try and provide some for you Suppose you
l. set those dishes Oh the lower shelf of the
n closet as ] wash them; then | can arrange
e them after all are done.."
e Tom obeyed and was rewarded by being
o allowed to bring load of coal from the eel
n lar, and do various other little errands, dur
a ing which time he was noticing the neatness
r and dispatch with which Violet worked, and
2 was especially observant of the clean, dry
' dish-towels and the skill with which, when
0 done using them, she washed and scalded
! and hung them to dry.
4 He declined the invitation to dinner, given
a by Mrs. Rsnshaw, when she came in and
r found him assisting Violet, and made his
= way directly to Harrys office
= al have made my choice at last, Harry"
S he announced; "it is one who would even
+. suit my grandmother"
: "Might | inquire who the fortunate dam
l sci is ~ asked Harry, laying down his book /;
and how are you sure of your reverend
I grandmother's approval ?"
r Tom told his mornings experience, con-
: cluding with;
"lf she will only accept me, | shall be the
{ happiest man alive, and all owing to my
: dear grandmother's advice.