Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-30
MRS. WTLKTN'.S DUTY.

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MRS. WTLHTN'.S DUTY.
She always tried to do it, she said but
like the kitchen work of poor housekeepers
it was never done up. Tim insisted that
there was more than belonged to our family.
Aunt Lizabeth took in n good deal for 9th
er folks" and once he slyly chalked sign
upon the door DUTY Done Here" But
then Tim had arrived at that peculiar age
when boy has no rights and is needed to
run errands and it is probable that duty
his aunt's, not his own-interfered with his
comfort even more than that Of older peo-
pie.
In truth, Mrs. wilkins duty was not a con
venient article to have about the house. 1t
was a bustling, aggressive affair, always
springing up unexpectedly, like one Of the
dogs so unaccountably petted in some house
holds for their sole virtue of always being
in the way. Moving forward, one runs
against the creature and it growls moving
backward, one steps upon its tail and it snarls.
1t lies upon the back piazza to be carefully
stepped over in the daytime and disastrously
stumbled over at night, and haunts the front
steps to bark at every visitor coming in, and
to howl after every member of the family go
ing out
Mrs. Wilkin kept no dog, but her duty
shifted an opportunity and pounced out Of
his hiding place when there came a timid
knock at the dining-room in the early morn
ing, and its answering revealed small, quiet
faced brown robed figure face and dress
both past the freshness of their youth--cAr
rying basket.
Good morning. Mrs. Wilkin,"
Come in? ?" questioned Mrs. Wilkin with
only half an invitation in her voice.
Ilaa g,,l,r half ono. 10
wise.
The little brown woman stepped in, GER
tainly, and poised herself on the outer edge
of chair nearest the door
II called to see if you didn't want to buy
some knitted articles, or to engage work of
that sort, she began i'll II deprecating voice.
"Wel | don't" interposed Mrs. Wilkin,
very positively. II do all such work my
self"
II didn't know. Many ladies' haven II time,
and am glad TO do it"
II suppose so, but | consider it my duty
to do all can myself, and set other folks the
example whether they follow it or not, said
Mrs. Wilkin, with slight gesture like emp
tying her hands of responsibility. IF l was
going to give out work at all, it would be
some hard jobs that would be a help to be
rid of, not the pick and choice, little, easy
things that l call rest and not work but
then, | amt SO particular as some, and do
all kinds myself
faint flush CROSSED the visitors thin face
She was not quite sure tdat she had been
called indolent and advised to go to work and
earn an honest living the words only had an
uncomfortable sound so the lips kept their
timid gentle smile, though they trembled a
little. She held first one hand, in its thin
cotton glove, and then the other, to the fire ;
rnpval unaasilv alappaI 1own NJ lar faa az
with dim thought, that if they had always
chosen the smOothest path, it had been
rough enough TO wear out her shoes much
faster than she could replace them and then
she arose to 60.
Wasn't you rather hard on her, Liza
beth - asked Mr. Wilkin, with regretful
glance toward the door as it closed
Mrs. Wilkin returned to her seat at the
breakfast table and surveyed him over the
coffee pot.
Hard on her; | only told her what do,
and if that pricks her conscience and makes
her uncomfortable, it's not my fault. But
you needn't worry she Just said good morn
ing as sweet as ever She's one of the weak
kind that can't be stirred up, and have not
spunk enough to say their souls their own.
/ wonder what such folks are good for ?
They'll never make the world any better,
that's sure. They haven't courage enough to
help put down any evil, if it was right under
their noses they'd only stand and smile.
The very sight of 'em provOkes me. con.
slider il my duty to speak out when | see
things going wrong.
But then everybody amt alike, Liz beth, ~
interposed Mr.. Wilkin.
Needn't tell me that it's plain enough;
snapped Mrs. Wilkn. Just look at this
neighborhood- -peaceable orderly place two
years ago and now there's a new mill start
ed and all sorts of vagabonds brought here tC
work in it, If I'd had my way they wouldn't
have come; and now they are here some
body ought to keep sharp watch on them,
| But that's the trouble there's so many mild
easy folks that want to sit still and do the
knittin' work of life, that there's precious
few left to take care Of the good of society
Il don't see as the mill folks have done
any mischief yet, 'Lizbeth.
''Of course you don't see and nobody else
sees but know there's something going
on, when the lower part of the mill-that old
empty store-room back there, it can't be seer
from the streets lighted up two or three
nights every week" said Mrs, Wilkn, tri
umphantly. I've watched the twinklinl
through the shutters, tight as they're shut
and seen folks slippin' in through the door
too. It's time it was looked after, and I'll dc
my duty, If nobody else does There may b,
gang of thieves or eounterfeiters starting
for all we know"
A suppressed giggle made Tim suddenly
cough and put down his cofFee-cup.
Timothy exclaimed his aunt severely
''if you can't drink coffee without doing i
SO fast that you choke yourself, you'll hav,
to go without It. I'll do my best to brinl
you up right, whatever comes of it,"
Bringing up Tim in the way he should g
was one of Mrs. wilkins strong points. II,
was the son of her niece and Belinda hat
married in opposition to her aunts advice
Mrs. Wilkin protested and then washed he
hands of the whole matter.
But when the poor man was so inconsider
ate as to die and leave Belinda with half-a
dozen children just when she needed his help
Mrs. wilkins opinion of his general ''slack
ness" was verified. The family was poor o
course. She didn't believe in sending man.
hings-self-dependenee was duty-but sh
offered TO take Tim.