St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1883-08-03

! L tnOuSnt you'd like to have me max
some money this way. It's only to din
ner, and they are to take Just what w
do. | wish't I'd said no; | did at first
| hated to show myself so ~
Her lip trembled she glanced up a
him eDtreatingly. Her look change,
to one of shame and confusion, as hi
eye rested upon her deformity, and h'
said harshly "You are pooty sight,
vow It's kinder queer why scch all
killing big nubs came on yer neck, Pa
tience ~
Patience was rightly named Sh,
only bit her lip, and gasped little a.
she kept back the tears that welled t,
her eyes but her hands shook as she
went on preparing the meal. 1t wa,
often thus he who ought to have beeI
her comfort imbittered her life Will
burdens and harsh words.
"Mebbe it isn't too late to tell then
not to come. Mebbe Tim hasn't gone
back to the buryin' grOun'," said Pa
tience.
"That's Jest like We to back out arteI
drivin' II bargain" was all the response
she had. "NO, yer in fort, m yo'd bet
ter see the play ont. But prec-
ious sick of yer bargain yen be. Here,
boys" us three lOng-limbed figures
crossed the yard, ''cOme in and see
what Il fine trade yer marm's made, all
out of her own head, whilst tn men
were away ~
Two of the lads, Zcnas, Jr., and
Obed, joined with their father in sar-
castle filings but the third, Philip, with
his nnthnvfS nyaS anH ba,, intnIlinant
face, flushed up and took her part. He
had been called 10y the others, "marm's
boy" and truly he was. She had
named him herself. Zenas had sug-
gested that he be called after his Uncle
Jahez, another gruff Brown, but Pa
thence said, ellis name is Philipl" and
1t was so. This was one of the rare
times when Patience asserted herself
with quiet persistence that Zenas re-
spected. Perhaps if she had been Il
bit rOugher, "lf," as Uncle Jabez said,
''she'd up'n' give i'm as good rs he
sent, Zenas wouldn't be so ruXy. Pa
-ience is jest one o. them pecked chick
ems that gets pecked because they
dasn't bite back
The old man could not comprehend
the iOveliness of his miece's character
that made her bear anything from those
she loved, tightening their burdens
without IA thought of self. Philip was
like her, well-spiced, how
ever, with youth and New England
grit.
"Jest see what stew marm's in,
with her fine cOmp'ny! :" cried young
Ienas. "She's Gettin' out tn chiny -
"Chiny Il Monday noon ~ said Obed;
and the father added, as Patience came
from the front room closet, "NOw, what
in time are dOin' of, Patience What
do you want o our best chiny ?"
Patience set it gently upon the square
table. ''It's made for use" she said.
'If we don't use it when we're alone,
or when we have company, when shall
we ?"
81 never see ye so tiustered," said
Ienas, GROSSLY. "What do we care for
them folks as is acOmin' Ef they can't
set with us an eat sOciable-like, Jest as
W do, tlIoN can go! ia jeee If oo1
'em so, tOOi'
Patience replied not. She flew about
her table to the best advan-
tage, and so busy that she did not hear
the mail wagon pause at the front en-
trance. Little Tim rang the bell, and
how it changed through the house
"They've come" said Patience,
"WhOll go to the
door 2"
The boys had disappeared. Zenas
sternly bade her 90 herself.
ooh, can't" said poor Patience, her
left hand, involuntarily, lifted to her
throat. ooh, please go, Zenas "
The bell changed again.
"There," said Zenas, "you might as
well show yerself fust as last. Fve
got nothing to do with this 'ere busi-
ness"
With face ahame, Patience answered
the summons. a lady was descending
from the mail wagon. When she was
upon the ground, Tim introduced Pa
tience to her guests. "Them's UNI" in
dicating the couple with the thumb
of the hand that held the reins, on
this 'ere's Mis- Brown :"
Patience anXiously watched to see if
they would shrink from her deformity.
She could not perceive that the lady
saw it, as she gracefully accosted her,
and spoke few kindly words. But
the other, her companion, his eye did
not spare. Afterwards, when she had
shown them to the best room, she heard
him say, Good gracious, Mary, what Il
disfigured woman hope it is moth
ing catching, or that we are to eat her
cooking"
Patience was descending the steep
back stairs. She lifted her apron to
her face moment, then went into the
kitchen. The boys had returned and
assisted Ienas in haraSsing her as she
put the last touches on the table.
At length it was ready-poor Pa
tiemce's dinner. Zenas, despite his de
sire to eat sociable- like, suddenly found
that he ought to speak with Simeon
Wright, who was passing, about "that
Jersey cow"
"You needn't wait for me tell 'em to
fall to m help 'emselves; III he back
soOn.n
Zenas junior and Obed followed but
Philip, ut an imploring glance from his
mother, valiantly stayed.
So, Patience, flushed and embarrass-
ed, ushered her guests into the kitchen
and seated them ut the long table
where the gilt-edged china shone re-
splendent. She placed the gentleman
opposite and the lady on her left Phil
ip dispensed generous plates of farm
ers' fare, while she presided over the
britannia tea pot.
''He had to meet man about IA cow
apologized Patience.
''These farmers are busy men," OBJ
served the lady. Something i'll hel
kindly tones fell soOthingly on Pa
tience's sensitive ear.
an tn rest on 'em's cut N run p
put in Philip, with a twinkle of hi,
eyes.
"Why ?" asked the lady, turning hel
face full upon the boy.
"Cause they're afeared o. you," sait
D1,fIf,, ~ l., IL