Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-11-08

IAN cllr \ uiii N 'lHsl i lonely hour ="
he replied ''l'n .hl yDl gpjns with
the child -
That afernrpn Mss Rviirv AMI D..
attended hr Mr. klpV wenlel ;iirir way
through dtrl; alte: II or" nf The 40 l,t
squalid districts Of New York city. aud
climbed flight after lligh, OF ricke Y stairs
in a rear tenement. .. ..
The heat, the filth, The scenes Of mi,crv
were injescrblblc. Mss Roxhury felt
rs if she were on the confines of the
bottomless pit
Dot darted down long passage and
disappeared in room beyond The
friends followed and beheld hec claspcd
tightly in the arms of wan figure that
lay on pallet. The woman had tainted.
mamma, mamma look at met"
pleaded Dot, and began to cry.
There was no water in the room, and
Mr. Knox took cracked pitcher from the
shelf and went with Dot in search of
some. Miss RoXbury knclt beside the
woman, who was only about thirty year,
of age, and had been very attrnc.Ive rs II
young girl. There tas Il CLEAN Of gold
on her left hand. Her hair wac sunny
like DOTS, and her features delicalel,
shaped. The letter that Miss R)Xbury had
written lay crumplcd and tear stained on
the pillow.
While Miss R0Xbury gaz3d the woman
opened her eyes. They were beautiful
eyes, but sad wi h want and struggle
against despair. She tried to sit up and
moaned:
my baby-pleasc give me my baby!'
Just then Dot returned and carried the
pitcher of water to her mother, who drank
long and eagerly, then holding out her
arm to Dot, said feebly to Miss Roxbury:
80 madam, will you take care of my
little girl? think I'm going to die"
"Youre not going to die-not bit Of
it," said Miss RoXbury, pouring out some
wine into teacup. There, drink this and
you'll feel better right away. How long
since you've had anything TO eat?
DAY before Yesterday" was the faint
reply. Il had to stop work four day,
ago"
Now, Mr.. Knox said Miss Roxbury,
slipping her purse into his hand Jus
step out to the nearest grocery and order
some kndling wood and tea and sugar
I'll polch nice fresa egg lor tni, poor
soul and we'll see about Citing her ont ul
this place"
The woman's face frightened, but she
said, I'm giving you much trouble
"Trouble!' said Miss Soxburv. I'm
all alone in this world. and I've house
with TWEEN Y -four rooms in it, and plenty
to do with, and what I've been thinking
of all these years can't say. I've been
crusty, cold, diaagreeable old fossil
Mrs. Winthrop, and when | come down
here and find folks starving to death and
crowded like cattle, | wonder the god
Lords had any mercy on me. Don't you
worry another mite. Here's the fire stuff
already
Miss Roxbury rolled up her sleeves, put
an apron over her silk skirt, and while
Mr.. Knox built fire and brought water
TO heat, she bathed Mrs. Winthrop's face
and hands and brushed out her hair.
"Thank God. why, I'm better already
said Mrs. Winthrop with a rare smile.
"Of course you are, child" said Miss
Roxbury. Wen see what good food and
mouptain air will do for you yet
A few days found an occupant in the
great east chamber of the Roxbury house.
Mrs. Winthrop sat in an easy chair
before the open window inhaling ,he
fragrance of the blossoming honysucEle
that nodded to her through the easement.
The morning sunlight fell across her
bright hair and peaceful face.
Dot hung over her shoulder and threw
daisies in her lap.
Down by the garden fence stood Miss
Roxbury talking with her neighbor Mrs,
Lane.
"Yes, I've adopted both Of en- replied
Miss Roxbury with 4 Te Dcnm in her
voice, "and I've sent for half dozen little
girls to stay till cold weather"
"Well, it does beat all, said Mrs. Lime,
wiping her eyes on the corner Of llcl
checked gingham apron. Il 'sposc
| needn't ask you now, Reliance, what
YOU think of the Fresh Air Fund"
"What do | think of it?" said Miss RoX.
bury, grayely. Il believe it's boeu the
means Of saving my soul | should have
core into the next world holding my head
pretty high, and considering myself better
than most folks, and the Judge would
have said, "Reliance Roxbury, gave you
a large house and a long bank account.
What have yon done with them?' Then
how my empty rooms and grandfather
Roxburys gold pieces would have stood
up against me! And he would have said
"Ye did it not unto me. Depart from me,
and what answer could have made him
It is very true," she continued as Dot
came fitting down the path like fairy
"of such is the kingdom of heaven. -
N. Y. Tribune.