Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-05
Seeing Better Days.

ucked up and their bare brown arms
eady and able for any work, looked
lskance at the widow Minton, with her pitt
ul meagerness Of aspect, her Aickering black
,ye, and her trailing old gown. They
Judged each other, and said; Better days
Lord save us p
But the widow did not trouble the neigh
bors much, nor they her. A body who
couldn't do heartsome hands stirring was
best left alone to her brooding and the
widows smoky little cabin, solitarily apart
on the seashore, was left pretty much TO her.
self and her son Tom.
Tom was sturdy, brown-faced lad, who
picked up living by doing odd jobs for the
boatmen, and now and then taking day for
fishing. Tom had probably never seen bet
ter days. The widow shook her head over
him-so stupidity content, poor Tom so
beaming and good natured over beggarli- |
ness and hopelessness. A tall, well-grown |
fellow, with bare feet, torn straw hat and |
red shirt. Tom took the world easily |
looking with reverent eyes ON his mothers |
by-gone gentility, but by no means seeming
to covet it for himself.
The minister of the parish, mistaken soul,
deemed it incumbent to make call on the
widow and on charity bent, it is said he
invariably offered to employ her services in
his household for a season. He deemed it
his duty to rouse the old woman to activity.
He did rouse her; and it is averred that
he never found time to call at the cabin
again. Did he take her for common house
hold drudge, or low born field-hand She
thanked God she had too much spirit left
yet to put herself under anybody's feet. He
hadn't far to go to find scores of drudges
and diggers, but he might go farther before
he knew lady when he saw her.
1t might have been the afternoon after the
good mans visit that the widow sat idly
brooding at her cabin door. Her eyes had
a wandering far-away look, and her face was
keener and thinner than ever. Beyond the
bluff which sheltered her cabin stretched a
far line of sea-coast, the white sand gleam-
ing silvery in the sun. Far off group of
bathers, in bright dresses, frolicking between
shore and water. They came from the great
hotel down beyond; she could almost catch
the sound of their voices as she sat slowly
rocking in her doorway. 1t was a quiet af-
ternoon the air was soft and soothing, and
the widows heart so full of bitterness, felt
itself sweeten and soften in the stiffness
This part of the shore, sheltered by the
overhanging rock, was seldom disturbed by
intruders, but presently the watchers eye
caught sight of young girl splashing and
trolcking in the water just beyond the
rocks. 1t was pretty sight, the rounded
arms, the curving shoulders, the swaying
floating figure. And perhaps the old woman
recalled with sigh the time when she wa!
young and blithe too, and had as CHEEKY
voice as that with which the fair swimmer
hailed her companions in the distance.
Gazing absently on the smiling scene,
revery fell upon her ear, and when sh'
looked again the young water-nymph hac
disappeared. She had probably swan ashor
behind the rocks. The widow turned away
hugging her thin shawl over her shoulders
and thought that the sea wind was chilly
Harkl What was that ? Surely she hear,
a cry. No merry shout or ringing laugl
this; it might be the cry of wild bird ol
its way to its mate.
She couldn't have got beyond her depth
the young creature, surely But la what O
it if she had Dying young a body get
quit of deal of trouble-yes, surely tina
, was scream. The widow looked sharpl
out Would Tom never come The It'd
was rising, and-and certainly somethin
l. was the matter. She called-she beckone
frantically to the bathers beyond-the
J seemed both blind and deaf.
No one, not one soul, at hand, and tina
4 young thing in peril of life A minute sh
T stood still, listening-a feeble old woman
e with a haggard, scared face, to whom no on
5 would have dreamed of looking for help.
4; al can't stand this" she said. Seems
+ might pull out that old scow myself. Tom
u she screamed, with yell that held the col
centrated energy of ten years. But no Tol
It appeared. And it was the widow hersel
with those withered old hands that disdane
r the minister's kitchen work-it was Il
n widow herself, who, straining, tugging, al
= with her gray hair huttering in the win
II unloosed the old dug-out from its mooring
s and, trembling, unskillful, armed with rue
l, paddle, went spinning out dizzily over Il
7. water. 1t leaked, the old scow it scornt
l. the broken paddle and the broken oars, bu
n finally, it came drifting out blindly and di
IS zily to the object of her search. A plum
= hand, with glittering ring upon it, clutch'
the edge of the boat, nearly upsetting it.
young, eager face, with streaming hal
looked up from the waves, and, gaspin
ar shuddering half-drowned, and wholly scare
e the young water-nymph was presently aboa
e. the old craft.
n. "Oh how frightened | wasl |" she crie'
70 81 felt sure | was losing all my strengt
" and would go to the bottom. oh, you goo
I soul you dear good soul how ever did yC
ii get to me in this water-logged craft 2"
"a at has seen its best days, certain" sa
l. the widow, tugging at the oars.
N "You don't look able for such work" sa
re the girl
r. "f have seen better days." was the qui
NC answer.
~ And then-oh, sufficient reward of all h
,e efforts this real lady, this fair young g
l. with the soft hands and the pretty bathil
4. dress, actually replied, 4" thought So"
e. Here, give me the oar" she added, st
ne painting. "But, my dear soul, We'll nev
/; be able to row down to that point, where
n left my clothes, and can't walk to the |
o. tel; I'm awfully tired. Can't you put 1
III ashore at your place, and send word for 1
III down yonder 7"
"a. The little dark cabin on the shore brigl
I'd ened up with an unwonted luster as t
!" widow sheltered her young charge, a
a changed her wet garments for some OF b
", own.
as "If my Tom would only come I'd Sc
m him for your things"
"Oh, no matter, I'll wrap your sha
about me and walk down myself after L
rested a bit. I'm not hurt you know, OIL
scared. Dear me, how | was scared. My {
Id nurse use to teach me not to scream but
n hadn't screamed, where should have be
at now, | wonder 2"
.ly Mrs. Minton would gladly have part
We with the last shred she possessed, and go
of shiyering the rest of her days, TO see
at worn out gown donned SO handsomely
at the bright lassie.
of "They have seen better days, the cloth
NJ miss, aud III not deny that they've been
k good company in their timei but they're 4
se- fit for lady now."
al Her companion laughed, pretty m
nl- chevous laugh. She read the weakness
in her rescuer, and treated it tenderly.
IS "Whateyer lady has worn is fit fol
it. lady 10 wear" she said, and forthwi
es wrapped herself, smilingly, in the old gr
af- shawl.
d. Aud at that moment Tom, with his T
ly shirt cleaning in the setting sun, and
ry string Of fish on his shoulder, stood in
doorway.
lie stopped when he saw the guest star
SO ing upon the hearthstone, bright fire
N hind her, and the kettle boiling cheeri
OF She nodded to him familiarly. Tom thoug
he must be dreaming.
"Tom and are acquainted said She
ID care your" responded the astonish
IN widow.
| Il 10 II