Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-08-15
The Three Good Gifts
A GROWN UP FAIRY STORY.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

"Llll, Llll! run 10 Lne dOOr-qulcK
There's some one coming down the road.
Lil Penfield started to her feet with
alacrity, thus ruthlessly destroying all the
bright vision which had built themselve.
up around the glowing logs in the deer
chimney.
"How much is it for foot passengerp
said she, calling up the narrow, wooder
stairway.
but it isn't foot PASSENGER irratibly
retolted Della, with her mouth full O.
hairpins. "Its old Miss Merydeer, with
her donkey cart. Ten cents"
1t was stormy March sunset, red and
threatening, along the west, with frozen
breath of icicles in the air, and black
masses of cloud piled overhead, through
which old Miss Merydeer's cart seemed te
advance.
Lii Penfield stood on the dollhouse
porch, looking with surprised eyes at the
gaunt, old woman, who sat on heap o.
cut branches and whipped up a phleg
matte donkey in front of her.
"Oh, you are always ready enough to
STOP" sarcastically remarked old Miss
Merydeer, as the donkey came to a dead
halt in front of the toll bar ''Now, ther
young woman Ito Lily why amt allowed
to 60 on! n
"Ten cents, please" said Lii, timdly
holding out her hand, with all that she
had ever read, dreamed or heard abo'
witches coming back into her mind at the
sight of the yellow, old face, with its
fringe of white elf locks, the red cloak anG
the nose that was hooked like bird o
prey. "Ten cents" shrilly shrieked ole
Miss Merydeer. "And for what should
like to knowp'
"It's the toll gate, please,' explained
Lii, wishing more than ever that heI
cousin would come down stairs.
81 don't know anything about toll
gates" said Miss Merydeer, "Stand aside
and let me 60 through! The road was
here long afore they built the toll gate
It's swinding-that's what it is. Get up
Neddy!'
She settled herself among the green
spruce boughs and protruding roots
with an air of determination, and chirrup,
ed to her drowsy steed, as if she meant tc
ride roughshod over all opposition; bu
lust here Della Penfield came running
down stairs and swung the bar back into
its place.
"Ten cents, Miss Merydoer," said she
"or you can't pass. That's the law"
Miss Merydeer uttered a curious grunt
of dissatisfaction.
"If its law it amt JUSTICE" said she
fumbling in the pocket of her tattered ole
coat-a garment which had evidently beer
cut down from mans ulster. "There, a.
true as you live that there dime has fel
out and got lost in the woodsr'
nnts tor tlxy
"Ten cents-and do hurry. l can't stan(
here in this wind all night
"But hain't got it," bluntly spoke ou
the old crone. "Lcmme pass!'
"Not without the ten cents" said Deli
resolutely. "I've PAS orders, and mus
stick to 'em. If you haven't got th'
money you must go around by the mil
road
But that's four miles further" said th
old woman, despairingly. "And Neddy'
dead tired, and so am I. And its GROWN
colder every minute, and these Marcl
winds is hard on my rheumatics."
You should have thought of tina
BEFORE" said Della, indifferently.
"Delia, why don't you let ber passP
whispered Lii. "She's so old and"
"Oldp" pettishly replied Della, "Why
she's the worst old harpy in the country
We always have just this wrangie every
time she goes through the gate"
And she bolted the gate with ostentatiou
noise. Old Miss Merydeer, was slowl.
and reluctantly turning the donkey
dropping head around, when Lill horsel
came to her rescue.
"Stop minute, Miss Merydeer," sai'
she. "Here is ton cen peice. 1t SEEM
such pity for you and the poor donkey
to 20 30 far around this bitter cold night
And-and you can pay me the next tim
you come this way"
"Ehp' said Miss Merydeer, shrilly
.Who are youp"
"I'm Lill," said the girl, "Mr. Penfeld'
neice, from Omaha"
"Ah" said the old woman. "Wel
whoever you be, you've done kind ant
merciful deed this night. And you'll ge
your reward for it too. Shall tell you
fortuner once more stopping the donke..
as he was half way through the toll gate
to Della Penfeld's infinite disgust. "Oh
YES, I've charm. We that live in tn
woods find out many spell that othe
folks know nothing of. Well. here 1t is
Three good gifts for you. There's love
coming; there's gift of money coming
and there s clear conscience to go to be
upon this night. Good bye-good-bye.
And the donkey trotted away over tn
frozen road, his hoofs ringing like muffle
bells, while Della adjusted the bars with
laugh and both girls ran hurriedly bac
to the glow and shelter of the fireplace
"Is she crazyP" said Lill, earnestly.
'Not half so crazy as you were t
listen TO her." said Della. "1ts old Mis-
Merydeer. Every one knows her. Sh
gets roots and herbs from the woods an
dries them, to dose other people will
There are families around here tbs
would rather have old Miss Merydeer
sickness than any other doctor in tow
And she's nurse, too; and some thin