Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-03-14
"Knotsv " - and "Nots."

On nlb RIOVeS. Nntt yOur Iuotner nccus
Miss Ida, is change Of scene-of climate,
II might be. Not that consider her case
alarming at present, but it is well to fore
stall even possibilities. Insist upon plenty
of nourishing food, and--let me see April,
May, June-by the first Of June establish
yourselves at the seaside; the change is
imperative" and the portly physician paced
leisurely down the walk TO his carriage,
sublimely unconscious that he might just
as well have prescribed trip to the moon in
Cinderells's coach and four.
The young girl whom he addressed quietly
closed the door, and dropping upon the low
est stair buried her face in her hands fair,
slender hands-all that had barred the door
of the little home against want and dreari-
ness for many month.
"Plenty of nourishing food" They could
provide that, with simply few hours more
Of labor. The plaques and vases, china and
bric.a-brsc, beautifed by their touch, were
always in demand. With careful economy,
table and wardrobe were kept comfortably
supplied. The only extravagance INDUCED
in was a new book now and then, after
some larger sale than usual. But board at
the seaside The hands, with all their
skill and cunning, could not provide for
such expenditures, unaided. And whittier
could they turn The long illness from
which ber mother was recovering had ex-
hausted the little fund laid by for just such
a rainy day. There was one friend, whose
boyhood had in some way been frightened
by the dear father, missed more to-day than
when, two years ago, the apple-blossoms
drifted over new-made grave. This friend
had written to them in their sorrow, CRATE
fully, alphabetically, but in utter ignor-
ance of the financial disaster which had
preceded-mayhap, hastened--the sudden
death. He was far away, and she could
not
ain the dumps, / do declare" cried a
merry voice at her elbow. buried in a
slough Of despond to her very eyes Bonny,
blithesome Ida Lee Is the sky falling, or
what? The mother-mine is not worse ? "
with sudden SOLDERING of very rosy dim
pied face.
The other sprang quickly to her feet, and
leading the way into the sunny parlor said,
with a forced smile:
"Its only that tiresome deliberate doc.
tor be must needs prescribe gold mine
when there's only sixpenoes to be had"
doesn't he know gold mines to be un'
healthyP Don't they ruin more than they
helpP Sixpences are far better, taken in
sufficient quantities" rejoined the new
conner.
"They must be coined first. Show me
the modus operandi and am your debtor
for lite."
"Just as if those clever fingers of yours
had not enough of the trick already.
shall tell the mother how mercenary we are
growing"
Ida Breyton raised warning finger to
her lips as the invalid's feeble step was heard
on the stairs, but when her friend took
leave she walked with her to the gate and
told her all the doctor had said.
"You poor child How l wish could
help you'll" exclaimed the impulsive visitor.
"And can-I really can; l was going to
bring it over to-day. I thought you could
try, Just for fun, and now l-you see it's de-
cided the middle of May-plenty of time
and yours is sure to be the best"
al hope you know what you are talking
about" remarked the other, trifle impa-
tiently.
"Oh, yes, two prizes-ffty and one hun
dred dollars-for the most exquisite original
design on satin-a panel, believe; it's the
Decorative Art Society you shall have the
paper tomorrow and you must see the
Goodwins, they go to the seaside the first
of June. The most delightful place, they
say. They have been there five years, and
will know all about everything. Think up
your most exquisitest think and the gold
mine will be forthcoming"
"To be taken in both safe and sufficient
quantities." laughed Ida, catching her
friends hopeful spirit.
Little sleep had she that night. In aud
out of woody tangles, meadow lights, spring
time glimmer and autumnal sheen, went her
fancies in search of daintiest device some
thing quaint, and charming, and utterly uu-
like any Of the thousand and one dainty de-
vices OF this aesthetic age. OF course her
secret had to be shared with the invalid. 1t
was she who must coolly criticise and pass
judgment upon the pose Of flowers, ferns,
leaves and grasses, cob-webbed, bedewed,
wind.tossed, over which the feverish brain
and patient fingers toiled both day and night.
Mrs. Goodwin called as soon as she heard
OF the doctors prescription from talkative
Kitty Howes, and offered to render any as
sistance in their power; she knew of several
quiet boarding. houses in the vicinity Of
their hotel, and the place itself was most
delightful and salubrious. The only objec-
tion was the distance but If they could
arrange to travel with them Mr.. Goodwin
would attend to everything he would write
at once about rooms If they desired.
Ida declined, with thanks. at would
be impossible for them to decide before the
middle of May" she said, with heightened
color and Mrs. Goodwin gracefully took
her leave, well satisfied with her attempt to
do a neighborly kindness. Was there any
"other, left undone" T" in that few days
less of luxurious pleasure and strengthen
ing sea breezes to those two without the
preliminary toll and anxiety paling the
cheek of the younger 1t certainly never
occurred to the wealthy bankers wife that
few less yards of silk, or satin, or lace, in
the elegant wardrobe to be displayed at
that fashionable resort would have permit
ted an immediate acceptance OF her really
kind offer.
And SO, with not little consuming OF
the midnight oil, and the fresh young life
as well, the "venture was sent on its way.
We will not attempt description you
may have seen it for yourself, among the
scores of competitive efforts, good. bad, and
indifferent, over which the bewildered COM
mittee "gazed, wondered, aud perspired.
How slowly the day passed, to the anxious
hearts awaiting their verdict. To one, at
icdstt ~ bcctutu hS IL hio hhu doeeh 10Y III
the sentence.
"lf it was simply for the glory-or for the
mere money! would not dare pray to sue
oeed but IL must be right, it is my only
hope, and If God is good he will surely give
it to me-" she said to herself, as night after
night the one intense longing crowded out
every other petition. In vain the tender
mother warned, counseled, entreated,
reproved.
The very last week in May two hearts
somewh here in the wide world throbbed with
pride and joy-while through dazed eyes
our heroine read
"Lida Breyton, honorable mention"
Poor Ida What were all the kings
horses and all the kings men," beside her
hope Alone In her own room
she paced to. and fro, her eyes dry and burn
ing, her heart full of bitter, angry thoughts.
0 God is not good lie will let my mother
die did all could II 1t deserved hon
orable MENTION why not the prize We
need 1t so much, and it was such little
thing for him to give. But he would not,
he did not care"
Later, when the invalid's wasted hand was
aid aoftlv aOainat har ohaAk aha broka