Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-07-07
Written for the Vermont
The Little Runaway.

The Lees and the Hovey's lived within
neighborly distance, yet, as far as the parents
were concerned, were on anything but neigh
borly terms. 1t grew out of some trihing
affair, as quarrels usually do, but wrought
much bitterness and i'll will but their chill
dren, as if to make amends for the lack of
friendliness on the part of the old folks,
seemed to have natural liking for one an
other; and especially was this the case with
Duncan Lee and Maud Hovey, who were
thrown much together while away at school.
Indeed it was thought by some that these
two young people had for each other the
kind Of love that Cupid most delights in ;
which is considered, believe, very pleas
ant kind when events run smoothly, but 9TH
erwise it brings great sorrows, and | am told
has even caused "broken hearts and
"cracked brains," so you see it must be
somewhat dangerous after all. Howbeit it
is no concern of ours as to the kind of love
that existed between Duncan and Maud,
suffice it to say Maud's father insisted on
her marrying distant cousin by the name
of Hall, who had Just fallen heir to several
thousand dollars; and by intrigue or force,
or perhaps both, the match was brought
about when Maud was altogether too young
to marry anybody, with or without love.
About this time Duncan went to Europe
" to finish his medical studies," he said, but
the gossips would have it there were other
reasons. Six years after these events Maud
was left widow with two children, Louis,
aged five years, and Edna four. Bright,
healthy children they were, in whom the
heart of their little mother found great de-
light, but all the same it took a deal of money
30 L., ln,r tlA,. Sal
may as well tell you-died drunkard, and
no one was much surprised to learn that
when his debts were all paid Gas Maud in
sisted they should beg there wasn't far
thing left. In the meantime Maud's father
had died, leaving for his wife not much be-
side the homestead, and thither Maud re-
turned with her two children. Verify, Maud's
| life did seem hard one, but she trusted in
the widows God " and set herself bravely
about whatever she found to do, and after a
| time she obtained very good situation as
| book-keeper in neighboring city, while the
| children still stayed with their grandma in
the country. Somewhat back from the
village street was her little snuggery of a
home, and here the children would have
been wholly content if their mamma could
| have lived with them. She usually came
home to spend the Sabbath, and they some
times spent day with her in the city, but
not often, or at least SO Louis and Edna
| thought.
1t was time when spring flowers were all
| abloom and birds sang right cheerily that
Louis and Edna sat under the fragrant lilac
bushes counting over their pennies which
they had patiently shaken out of their
bank into E1ua's lap. What couldn't they
do with so many? There certainly must be
more than enough to take them to see their
mamma, and go they would, without asking
leave Of anybody. Yes, they would run
away; instead of going to school the next
morning, they would 60 over to the station
and buy tickets-Louis knew just how it
was done, and then how glad their dear
mamma would be to see them Thus the
little things planned and their heads were
so full of it they couldn't get to sleep as
early as usual that night, and consequently
they oversight the next morning. Louis was
so afraid they would be late for the cars
that his usual prayer of asking God to bless
his friends, mentioning them by name, was
abridged to these few words, Please Je
sus to bless all hands round, and would to
God | could see my mamma this day,
amen" After breakfast the children held
hurried consultation out under the lilacs
Iou tcil Siduuhd NC Waut W So Sai ~
this morning." said Louis, land we'll take
our dinner as if nothing was going to hap
pen we may want it for lunch you know"
"Yes, and let's take some flowers to
mamma; she loves them awfully, and oh
Louis don't you wish we could wear our best
| things? ?" said Edna.
"No, | wouldn't give cent to-" answered
Louis disdainfully.
But Edna couldn't resist the temptation
to just ask her grandma, when she went in,
if she Knight wear her new hat to school p
"Sakes alive what's the child thinking
of No, indeed, you must save that to wear
to meetin'."
al wish could wear my apron with pink
trimming, this is kind O. dirty" said Edna
hesitatingly.
To this her grandma consented.
snow if only had my hat and gloves"
said Edna to herself, al should look well
enough" and with that she lodged into the
parlor for her gloves, but, not finding them,
| she caught her grandma's lace veil which
| was lying on the table, and hid it under her
apron. BY this time the dinner was put up,
| aud an immense bouquet of lilacs and pc
onies was gathered, and the children scamp
| cred off as only little feet can. Instead of
| being late, they had TO wait for the train a
full half hour. This gave Edna ample time to
arrange her veil before the glass to her hearts
satisfaction. She certainly made a striking
appearance with the long, old-fashioned lace
veil, sprigged with flowers, twisted around
her hat and falling over her sweet little