Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-05-12

she had said TO me, that her mother was
dead, for | saw the girl bend over her and
flush little, while her eyes filled with tears.
dare say she thought Of her own mother
whom she bad lately left, and she put her
arm around the child and kissed her, and
afterwards seemed to be telling her story,
at which she smiled now and then.
l read for awhile, but in the middle Of the
afternoon fell asleep, and when walked
again the car lamps were lighted, and
looked for the little traveller who was stand
ing in the passage-way of the car. She had
taken OFF her hat, and there was evidently
something wrong with it, for she was look.
ing at it anxiously, and trying to fasten
something which had broken. | tried TO
beckon her to me, but in the seat Just beside
her was the priest, a stout, unsynpathetic-
looking old gentleman, and / was half
amused and half touched to see her give
the hat to him aud show him where TO fasten
the strap OF it, He was evidently much
confused he even blushed, but he did what
she asked him with his clumsy fingers and
then put the hat on for her. as she stood
before him and bent down her head as if he
would have have had TO reach up TO it. She
was going away then, but he stopped her and
gave her some money from his pocket she
up her face to kiss him, and then he looked
out Of the window minute and afterward
turned and looked at his neighbors appeal
ingly. 1t had been like a flower dropped
into his prosaic life, imagine he was evil
IDENTIFY quite surprised and pleased by so
touching confidence.
Ii must have been long, dull day, for
child to spend, but she was as good as pos.
sible, and did not give anybody the least
trouble. We talked with each other about
her and felt as if she was under the care of
every one of us. | could not help thinking
how often we are at each others mercy as
we go through this world, and how much
better it would be If we were as trustful and
unsuspicious as this little child, aud only
looked for kindness at our neghbor's hands.
just as it WAS growing dark she came to
me and put her hand into mine and gave it
little pull.
"Come and see the Birds" said she, and
| suddenly became aware of the chirping of
robin somewhere near us. 1t was sunny
sound to hear in the winter twilight, with
the rattling of the train and shrek of the
whistles, tor it was generally the note of a
robin who was going to sleep on his nest in
an apple tree, or high on the elm bough,
'ome early summer evening. But Nelly
led me toward the old lady with so many
bundles, aud | found one of her treasures
was bird cage, and there sure enough was
the red breast, fat fellow with smooth
feathers who winked and blinked at US and
stopped his chirping as we stood beside him.
"She seems pleased with him, the little
girl does," said the birds owner. "I'd like
to have her see the rest of my birds. Twen-
ty.three I've got in all thirteen of ems ca
naries. The woman in the other part of
the house is taking care of 'em while I'm
gone. I'm going on to Stockbridge to spend
Thanksgiving with my niece. 1t was
great piece O. work to get started, and /
didn't feel at first 5 if could leave the
birds, but knew Martha's folks would feel
hurt if put em off again this year about
coming. But | had TO take the old robin
along with me. Some folks said it might
be the death of him, but he's never been
one mite scared. His cage stands in a win
dow at home where he sees sight O. pass
ing. He's the tamest thing you ever saw.
Now Pm so fur on my way I'm glad did
make up my mind to start, though it'll be
bad getting there in the night. l think
change is good for any body, and then I'm so
tied down most of the time with the birds
that don't get out much and there's no
body to fetch in the news"
"Why don't you bring up few carrier
pigeons with the rest of your family p said
|, and this seemed to amuse her very much.
"Sakes alive | don't want no more"
said She "but then I've said that all along /;
all the folks that keeps canaries in our place
comes to me if anything ails 'em. was
telling this little girl if I'd known | was 60
ing to see her I'd have brought along a nice
little linnet for her; he'll sing all day long,
but he and the one | put him with is always
fighting each other, and all my other cages
is too full Already. | reckon you'd be good
to the little bird, wouldn't you now, dear ?"
The little traveller smiled eagerly, while
suddenly thought of the sparrows that are
sold for farthing of this worlds money and
yet are worth so much to God.
think we were all anxious to see what
kind of woman the aunt would be, and
was half-afraid she would look hard-hearted,
and | knew in that case | should always be
sorry when thought of the little girl whose
hand was so sorry to let go. | had looked
after her at night. | had walked dozen
times to look at her sweet little shadowed
face as she slept, with the doll held fast in
her arms.
At the station in the morning, / found
some one who came to meet me, but could
not go until saw the aunt. | waited with
the conductor for a few minutes, and | was
beginning to fear | must say goodbye to my
little traveller and never know her fortunes.
Every one of the passengers had given her
something, | believe-picture papers and
fruit and candy, and do not know what
else-and L had seen even the old priest
kiss her good bye most tenderly, and lay his
hand on her head in what | am sure was
heartfelt blessing. 1 do not know
whether it was some good old Latin bene-
diction, or simple longing that God would
be near to the lonely child and that his saints
would defend her as she goes through the
world to heaven.
l was glad when saw Just the woman l
had wished and hoped for coming hurriedly
towards us-there was no doubt that it was
all right, she was sure of the child at glance.
| had tancied all the time that she must look
like her mother.
"My dear babyl" the woman said with
sob and caught her in her arms, while the
little girl, with quick, instructive love, put
out her short arms, aud they clung to each
other without word.
1t was all right, as the conductor said
again, half to himself and half to me. AT.
ter minute the woman said brokenly that
she thanked him for his kindness. Poor
Ellen, she never knew she was sick till the
news came she was gone. He must tell peo-
pie that Nelly would have good home.
They stopped to talk longer and Nelly stood
gravely by, but had to hurry away, and
after was in the carriage | wished / could
go back to kiss the little thing again.-Good
Company