The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-08-22
Mrs. Brown.

"Mrs. Brown ?" l said to Jane {"
don't know any one of that name.'
I" think she is the person who keeps
the clearinghouse" replied Jane; and
she said she would only detain you a few
minutes"
"Very well, you may ask her to come
in here" said but my tone was not
sufficiently cordial to have been reassuring
IA Mrs. Brown if she had heard me for
Jane had announced my visitor at the
same time that she brought in my lunch
and the novel was reading was interest
inc enough to have made me regret any
visitor, particularly one in whom felt no
interest.
Mrs. Brown followed Jane into the
room, and shook hands with me in such a
deprecating way that at once forgot my
lunch and my book in an attempt to make
her feel at ease. She was little stability
dressed woman, with faded, dragged
out look, but her face frightened pleas
antlv as she spoke.
at must apologize for troubling you,
Mrs. Harlow" she said, but have been
appointed collector of the Ladies' Mis-
sionary Society, and came to see if you
would be subscriber"
IT am sure you need make no apology"
said i; "any one who undertakes the Of
fee of collecting ought to be thanked,
and I am glad you came to remind me of
neglected duty. / have been here 30
short time that did not even know
there was such society"
ave do not meet in the summer, but
lilo RI pno6o rn1loofinpc cN
that we may have the money when we
commence work again. How much shall
put you down for ?"
Chow much ought to give ?"
"That is not for me to say" she an
swered; the usual yearly subscription is
a dollar.'
you are very moderate; you may put
ms down for ten"
Her face ahone as if q ray Of sunshine
had touched it, ~
"Oh, Mrs. Harlow, you don't know how
much good that will do !"
at is a very lazy way of doing good"
answered. al would rather give twice
that than 20 around as you are doing"
ave can only give what we have" she
said, simply 9" have very little money
" spare put plenUy VI tluo'
"And yet you have that large boarding
house. l should not think you would
have much leisure"
al have TO plan for it, of course" she
said, but l have the afternoon now till
five o'clock, aud later in the week can
get little more time"
"You make me ashamed of myself"
said "here am l, with nothing in the
world to do, spending my days in embroid-
cry and reading. My lazy life has really
troubled me since we came here, but it
did not seem as if there was any work for
me. The people all appear to be hard
working and industrious, and I couldn't
think of anything to do for them.'
at is prosperous place." Mrs. Brown
said. al don't know of really destitute
family anywhere around here; but, Mrs.
Harlow, do you think the very poor people
are the ones we can help ?"
"I don't know" l answered vaguely
but, as said this, thought struck me.
Couldn't I do something to bring to a
face ? / spoke with the sudden impulse
"Mrs. Brown, won't you take lunch
with me? 1t is ready, you see, and you
will not lose any time, for will send you
in my carriage to the other places where
you are going this afternoon
Her face expressed 80 much pleasure
that I was ashamed of having thought re
gretfully even for a moment of my book
Jane brought in the necessary additions
and the tray was placed on the table be
tween us.
~ don't know why you should be sc
kind" said Mrs. Brown, as she took hel
seat; I" and you can't tell what treat il
is to me. 1t is the first time have taker
meal away from my own table for five
years."
She did not say this at all in com
planning way, but I could scarcely keel
the tears back her simple statement O
the fact told so much; and yet suppos
/ could scarcely comprehend what thi
woman's life had been-a struggle for tn
barest necessaries of life through loni
years, uncheered by love or sympathy
What right had to my life of luxuriou
ease E? / was no more worthy than she
and yet had never known what it wa
not to be surrounded by loving friends.
AS I saw her almost childish enjoy
ment of everything began TO feel no,
terribly selfish | had been. l had neve
before realized that the very sight of m
home, of this room, for instance, with 1t
dainty furnishings, might be a treat t
some woman with beauty-loving eye
famished for the sight of that which wa
lacking in her own house.
at is so delightful" said Mrs. Brown
"to sit down to a meal in which l don
feel any responsibility. At home I al
always expecting some one to find fau