Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-19

| So sang Matte Raymond as she 81
before magnificent piano. There sh
stopped and wondered what the word
meant. Her Uncle Paul had brough
home the piece, and asked her 10 learn
for him. She remember ed the contemp pt
uOus lCok on her mothers face, as sh
had taken it in her hand for moment
and her words: Really, Paul, your last
is peculiar"
1t was enough for Matte that her unc
had expressed a wish concerning it; sh
would have undertaken anything he hs,
asked, but her life had been 80 shielde,
from even thought of want or suffering
that it was not strange the lines seemet
meanin less TO her. She commenced tn,
song again and had proceeded as far as
wen not forget the little barefoot
when, looking up, she espied peeping il
at the window two little eyes, over which
were forehead and hood. She sprans
up and ran 10 that part of the room, bu
as she did so. the eyes. the forehead, hood
and all. suddenly disappeared from view
Matte ran to lbe door, and at the foo
of the granite steps saw standing in the
furious storm, a little atom of humanity
in the shape of Il poor beggar gill, with
lhC lECNhaoIC upou az tbs anu
grieve to say, with only some old shoes
upon her feet. Matte had glimp,e Of
her bare ankles aud limbs before he little
ol ject crouched Gown rs nearly out OF
sight rs she could geL. Matte beckontd
heI 10 come up to The top step, for the
snow driving ut the door, and fell upon
the dainty dress and slippers Of the little
maiden. The child d,d not stir. but said
beseechingly: Don't scold me, won,
come nigh again, I'm going right of
n.w," and she drew her bit Of blanket
closer ST. und her, as she rose to her feet.
''Oh, but you mustn't 60, till | have
asked YOU two OF three questions! Come
in Out oI The storm; you are not afraid,
a,eyoue
Tue Two looked wonderingly at each
other as they entered the hail, hand in
hand; Stopping before The register they
continued their survey, sill without n
word A lady came tipping down the
stairway, but The velvot covering gave
back no sound. SO as .he stood beside the
children her exclamation s,a,tled them
both. "What does this mean. Matlie? ?
and what are you here tul ? pointing with
her jewelled finger. to The chlId, from
whose taltered garments the wafer WAS
dripping down upon the roses and leaves,
making them sparkle as If they had been
touched by the dewy baptism of nature
Rut Mrs. Ray mond had only thought for
The rich coIols bending there, they would
be soiled by the unseenly contact with
that beggarly creature who hau no busi-
ness amidst So much splendor and benuty.
She held open The door, ami The child was
zone before Matte realized what WAS
gong on.
"Oh, mammn what have you donen
had not even learned her name, OF why
she s di essed SO Looiiy.'
It's no,hiug 10 you. anyway and
the lady iang The bell and ordeled II
servant TO see 10 the carpet. All! II she
could have turned her eyes inward for n
moment, and seen the stain her act Lao
left upon her soul!
Matte went back to her practicing, hu.
her consciousness Was so p,rmealed
with the sorrowful reality of the words
I bat her voice was ull OF sobs There is
nothing like practical illustration OF
truths, that otherwise would seem vague
and underlined.
Her father was dead, but his wealth
and her mother had thus far
INDUCED her In every thing. She lived
like n little princess, the petted child oil
fortune and splendor, and the contrasting
picture, which she had only glanced nj
that morning, brought up manya query
that she Was unable to solve. All day
her eyes wandered over the magnificent
rooms, with their costly hangings and
rich furui,ure. the rare paintings, whose
value she had once or twice heard esli-
mated, the superb ornaments that her
uncle Paul had told her represented
thousands of dollars. and then to her own
room, perfect in all appointments, and
she felt faint and sick as lhe sheen and
,plendor passed in review before her.
1t was evening before Mrs. Raymond
noticed the preoccupied air of her child.
and then she was startled for once out of
ner elegant repose of manner by the storm
Of questions poured upon her. Similar
ones have been asked over and over
again, aud will be probably to the end OF
lime, and well may the wisest pause
before they make and answer. as they
belong 10 she great problems of life which
he revealings of eternity will only make
clear.
Mrs. RAYMOND hesitated not, for TO her
it was all plain enough, Want. poverty
and crime she classed together. They
we're the effects of sin Holding Mute 5
hand, she told her "that she had nothing
% do with any OF it. There were people
appointed by the city to have such things
N char re, and that if she wished TO bc
pure and Y Oh she NUT K. ep her thoughts
1uly on what WAS great I'd ennobling
| hen, thinking 10 satisfy hec. she bad"
ler bring Ter worsteus and she would
ea ch h,r new pattern, which might he
AS hlopcd into something brightand dainty
or a Christmas gift. The words only
made l.e puzzle >llll more intricate I" the
,ewiid, red child. Sue asked for bread
md had been given "a stone. and - sense OF
i. roug Somewhere s-tlled down upon her
sensitive spTit.
Il Celia X ,ymnnd could have seen the
ace of her hIolher in law, MS he brht
over over his book, she would have
cared that she hau made u mistake in
Ipeaking her mind b. fore him. for of all
h,pys, she desired to stand well in his
slIulailon.
"Nlsmma," said Matte, later, al do not
hink care for II Christmas party; you
,now cried myself to sleep last year.
,ecause the girls said SO many unkind
hings about my pr presents"
You well feel differently when the
ime comes; besides, the invitations have
,een given, and have made q eater prep
,rat;ons than ever before, as you are get
ing TO be quite young lady now"
Again the scowl on Uncle Paul's face,
mi his voice was gentle enough as he
.sked. MAY / have the privilege OF
.sking few friends 10 your party, ma
"On. but it is not 10 be grown up
olks' party, you know. except you and
They shall not be grown folk, prom
se YOU. and they shall be too we'll man
,e,ed to say anything 10 iljure your
Ale they boys or girls, uncle PaulP'
~ suppose you would have ung
gentlemen, as your mother suggests that
'ou are nearing the dignity Of roung
adyhood." p,,.,a , dav or
wo before CHRISTMAS, if you are really
,o,ro 10 bring strangers TO Matties party,