Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-09

after it. An aged grandmother, too, was
left alone, except for Isabel. Their small
but handsome house was all they could wish
for comfort and even luxury. The little
parlor, with its bright and rich tapestry
hangings, and pictures which reflect credit
on the buyer, was usually so flooded with
sunshine that it seemed to proclaim welcome
to all. The little home, empty through
school-hours, was well filled as soon as Isabel
came. Her very first act, after getting home
and visiting her own room, was to fly to
grandma's room, tell her all the events of
the day that she knew would best please
her, concealing those she knew would not
meet approval, and after a long and merry
talk, kneeling by her side, would lead her
down stairs and seat her in the very best
and biggest chair in the room. How very
different seemed the gentle granddaughter
and the dignified housekeeper from the con-
ceited, overbearing schoolgirl Did the Sc
cret charm lie in the magnetic presence of
the dear old LADY, Surely she looks very
beautiful in the dimly.lighted parlor, with
her snow-white hair and large blue eyes,
shaded by such long lashes. 1t seems as if
her heart lived always in the summer and
the winter of old age could only touch her
body. The resemblance between those two
faces, the old and the young, was indeed
striking. Both betrayed strength, and yet
the same sweet, tender, serious expression
stole into both.
"And now, dear grandma, tell me what
you have been doing all day." began Isabel,
after a pause "did you sit and knit ever
since left ?"
No, child, | only knit when | tire of
other things, as when have company like
you. / find my old fingers are not as nimble
as they were we old people must expect
to fade away. Now do not look sad
child, when speak thus, for as the pictures
of this world look bright and interesting to
you, to me everything attractive is just in
front, so why should not lean forward and
long to see ?"
"Oh, grandma, | do wish you were as
young as ANA girl again." exclaimed
Isabel; al should like you better than any
of the girls. They are most of them SO
silly, and only talk about dress and parties.
Then, too, you would enjoy the modern books
that you so despise, and keep up with the
new ideas of the day."
every many of those new ideas are not
to be desired, and wish you did not think
so much about them," continued the old
lady. "If you would study and compre-
bend the definition of truth, it would be
great wisdom. And if you would clothe
yourself with it, as dear Jenny Childs does,
it would be of more value to you than all
the new ideas of any one."
"But just think, grandma, how slow and
behind us all Jenny is; she is in class be-
low all her mates and reads children's stories,
and yet slowly continued Isabel, 81 do
like her. There is something very interest
ing about her after all. l like to be with her."
"Of course you do" exclaimed Mrs. Grey,
:" she has more riches in her heart and head
than if she read all the other girls might
prescribe. l wish, Isabel, that you did not
read some books that you do, aud enjoyed
your Bible and Sunday-school lessons more"
"Oh, pshaw!" said Isabel; "nobody in
our church goes to Sundayschool after fif-
teen years of age. Older girls like me either
teach little ones or do not go at all. Jenny
says in her church they go, old and young,
as long as they go to church, and that if
would study the Bible with her teacher
would see all those things in new light.
She declares that it is the most interesting
and most curious book in the world. Jenny
is simple in some matters, but she speaks of
this as if she knew / believe | would like
to go with her; what do you say to that,
grandma 7"
"Once would have said, no." she replied,
slowly, "for | was brought up to go to one
church only, and that one must be the church
of my ancestors. 1t was not thought proper
for us young people to have opinions differ
ent from our elders. But years ago. l real
lied my lack of true wisdom so painfully,
that now would tell you to go where you
can learn most of that Bible. In my young
days, we had no such Sunday-schools as
there are now no private classes; no topics
given out before, and discussed in the pa
pers. Now, when ministers, and whole con-
gregations are studying and writing on the
subject, it is not so difficult to become bet
ter acquainted with that precious book. 1t
is entirely your fault, my dear child, if with
the help of preachers, teachers and books,
you remain ignorant. On the shelf in your
own bookcase is row of commentaries that
l placed there hoping you would study them"
"Well;" said the girl, thoughtfully, al