Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-11-23

Jane was not consulted, to be sure; but
she did not dare rebel against good, whole.
souled Aunt Hannah, who was person OF
consequence in the family, being childless
widow with considerable means at her own
disposal. Samantha went, and Jane took
her place In the kitchen.
"Oh, / am to be dish-washer," said Aunt
Hannah as Jane reluctantly went towards
the sink the morning Of the hired girls
departure. "You know how to wash dishes
| well enough, presume, although there is a
| right way as well as a wrong way to wash
dishes, but you will learn by seeing me.
| can wash dishes and at the same time give
directions about the work you are to do.
Now you will mix the bread first"
al don't know howl
"Time you did, and l will tell you all
about it, dear. Sister Harding, put the
rooms to rights, make the beds, and see to
the milk; you are the second girl remem-
Der. Jane and are the cooks. | intend
that on Thanksgiving day every article of
food that goes on TO the table shall have
been prepared by Jane"
Jane opened her eyes in unaccustomed
surprise, and her lips for wondering speech I;
but Aunt Hannah, with smiles and good
nature, talked so fast that the young girl
iOuuu uO CHdnCe 10 reply.
"You are an intelligent and pretty con-
scientious GIRL went on the good aunt;
"you are as strong as many girls in your
position your appetite is always good, and
you are capable Jane opened her lips
again, but Aunt Hannah reiterated, "you
are young, hearty and capable. No matter
what station in life you may be called to fiji.
you want to know how to cook and how to
do all kinds of homework the best way"
And Aunt Hannah who was very entertain
ing, and who knew great many people,
went on telling about this one and that one,
and gave Mrs. AS rule for making bread,
and Mrs. BIS recipe for certain kind of
cake, until Jane found that even women of
culture and wealth took charge of their own
households and were not at the mercy of
servants.
When, that night, Farmer Harding COM
plimented his daughters first gingerbread,
she was agreeably surprised to find how
much more real satisfaction there was in
making it than rocking idly in her chair, or
standing out under the willows in the atti-
tude of a heroine, with lace handkerchief
pressed to her dewy eyes.
Jane was often tired, of course, at first,
but she persevered under Aunt Hannahs
direction and treatment. Her mother grew
rested and young, and was told 80 by the
friends from the west with whom she now
had time to visit.
On Thanksgiving day, when everything
was being praised Aunt Hannah took great
satisfaction and pride in saying, any pupil,
Janey, here, prepared every dish that has
been set before us to-day"
/ declare" said the western uncle, /"
declare, that's the way to bring up girl,
be she merchants, lawyers or farmers :"
and before he left the old homestead he
gave his brother bountiful sum of money
with which to refurnish and paint the house,
embellish the parlor, build new front
fence, and last, but not least, to pay off an
old mortgage on the farm.
"Such capable, industrious aud amiable
girl as Janey," this uncle went on, observes
as fine house as any IN the village. She
makes the old Harding homestead pleas
ant place to come to; and, besides, she saves
her mother great deal of labor"
SO Jane Harding, instead OF only reading
about lovely, well-kept homes and their pre-.
siding angels, became the light and stay of
her own mothers household, chiefly through
Aunt Hannah's well-timed, judicious in
Wdtchman.