Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-08-22
for the sgittle FOLKS.
A RED-LETTER DAY.
They were going out to Grandmamma

Dilrs.
81 expect it'll be the beautifullest
time" smiled Christie, smoothing down
her white pique apron, 'just the beau
tifullest time !"
Mamma glanced out of the west win
dow at the clouds which all the morn
ing had been spreading their great gray
wings across the sky.
"Im afraid it will rain, dear, said
she.
And, true enough, though Christie
shook her head over it a great many
times, it was not long before the first
few drops FLASHED against the window
panes and they came harder, faster.
until the water was racing down the
gutter. and standing in little dimpling
puddles on the walk.
"Oh dear me !" said Christie. Don't
you s'pose we can 60 just the same,
mamma 2"
Papa opened the door,
1--WE can't 60 to-day" said he. shak-
ing himself like a big Newfoundland
dog. before he came in; "but maybe it
will be clear tomorrow. Now don't let's
have storm in the house, daughter,
when it's SO gloomy out of DOORS
But it was hard to keep the tears
back Christie went to the window and
held her small nose fattened against the
pane for long time.
1t was really great trial, when she
had planned on having such nice time
at Grandmamma Dill's.
The orchard would be just in bloom,
and there were the dandelions, and the
chickens, and all.
Tomorrow, too, seemed a long way
off to Christie. Many time she had
heard Uncle Tom say tomorrow never
comes.
"It'll be just tomorrow and to-mor.
row." said she, glancing at mamma
cross as cross ever could be. 81 dom
now, now, what re they, I'd like t.
wonder p
Up the walk came two little figures
looking oh so drenched and miserable
"a girl and boy. They stopped be
fore the door. and the boy, putting
flute to his poor, blue pinched lips, be
gan to play. And the girl clasped he
hands before her, and began to sing
bright, gay little song, of spring an
birds and buds, in voice with grea
many sad breaks and tremblings.
80 mamma" called Christie. "Jus
hear the sorry in it !''
Mamma opened the window in SPIT
of the rain. The boy looked up cage
ly, and came forward under the Windo
holding out his hand to catch a penny
But mamma shook her head.
81 haven't any money" she said
"but you may come in out of the raj
and l will give you something to ca
1t is nearly dinner-time. Are you hu
gry?'
The little musicians looked at ea
other.
"Yes'm," said they.
So they came in, and Christie tue
ed her thumb in her mouth and star
with might and main, while they pla
ed and sang for her again. Then S
took her thumb out.
"What're your names % asked sh
and mamma smiled at papa, standi
unnoticed IN the doorway.
"Nina." answered the little songstre
Sand Volney," added the boy, ru
bling his flute on his sleeve.
Christie edged nearer.
"Minc is Christie" said she. "Wl
makes you 60 round ?"
ITO get our living" answered V
ney, proudly. Nina's black eyes fill
with tears.
1--WE didn't always" said she; "
didn't before papa died. He was a n
sic-teacher. and he taught me to 81
and Volney to play the flute. Nam
died before Volney can remember"
Haven't you any grandma ?" ash
Christie.
"No," answered Nina.
"But we've got an uncle" put
Volney.
"Yes," said Nina. Papa told
before he died, we were to try and
him-mamma's brother. But we dc
know where he lives, and"
eve think, maybe. he wouldn't W
us" said Volney. "And we can t
care of ourselves, can't we, Nina ?"
what is your uncle's name, Ii
one ?" Christie jumped. She har
knew papa's voice, it was so husky;
he looked very funny-only there "
tears in his eyes.
John Volney, sir
"Why!" cried Christie. 18th
my uncle's name my Uncle Jack,
married my Aunt Annie v
papa"
But papa had gone from the d
way; and mamma was smiling '
Christie called rainbow smile at th