The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-02
The Camp Chair.
IN TWO PARTS-PART /.

IN TWO PARTS-PART /.
The principal of one of our best board
ing and day schools for girls left her
numerous cares, and many calls from one
hundred and fifty noisy, romping, fun
loving girls, for quiet vacation in little
village on the banks of the Connecticut.
She had long, cold ride of two days and
night before she arrived at her child
hoods home among the snow-drifts of
Vermont. She had left the Sunny
South and in forty-eight hours she had
been whirled away at lightning speed to
find herself landed in the region of bare
trees, cold and cheerless streets, in fact
everything had put on zero appearance
but the warm welcome of loving family
and numerous friends.
This quiet, dignifed teacher, Annie
Hillyer, was not the same person in her
own home. Although always lady,
there she was free from the restraints
necessarily incumbent upon successful
teacher. From childhood she had been a
favorite in the community, and her return
was always welcomed by both old and
young. The neighbors manifested their
appreciation in various ways, and often
times hardly gave her an opportunity to
take the needed rest prior to returning to
her work. Sleigh.rides, parties, concerts,
etc., ETC., followed one another in quick
succession, so that, instead of resting for
two weeks, she would return to her duties
more exhausted, physically, than when she
left the seminary. We will call her
Annie while at home but while away,
and among her pupils, it was always
Miss Hillyer." She had been home but
two days when the only church in town
was to hold festival to obtain funds for
an organ.
"Of course" as Deacon Safford's wife
said, Annie Hillyer is home now, and
we must get her to help us; she will sell
more tickets than any two ladies in town,
for everybody respects and loves her, and
will not say no on her account"
Mrs. Grout replied "Let's ask her to
help about that camp chair. believe if
she takes hold of it we shall make at least
fifteen or twenty dollars"
eyes," said Mrs. Stafford, "she will
make double of that and give us push
on everything else."
The committee had concluded to sell
this beautifully embroidered chair by
votes. The members of the church had
decided to put up as the candidates two
ladies-the one to be the most deserving
unmarried lady of marriageble age, the
other a married lady not exceeding thirty
years of age, and who had been keepipg
house for at least five years. There was
an embroidered foot rest " to match this
chair, which was also to be sold by votes.
The candidates for it were all taken from
different congregations. The first was a
young widower, Mr.. David Lockwood, a
lawyer whose wife had been dead nearly
three years. The second, q bachelor,
Harding Allen, Md, from church
across the Connecticut; and the third
Mr.. George Boutelle, young merchant,
from their own parish. think the OBJ
ject in selecting two candidates from
other churches was stroke of the ladies'
diplomacy, for there was policy and
shrewd cunning in this act, and financially
it was a success. These young men were
informed of their nomination several days
previous to the festival, 80 that not only
they would be present, but also that they
might bring goodly delegation with
them. No one was expected to come to
such place without spending money
and, in fact, the ladies selected to sell
votes fully intended to find the bottom OF
the pocketbooks before they allowed any
to leave the hall. Annie Hillyer was moi
only good to fill her own post, but kept all
in similar positions alive to duty. She
was not isformed of her Office until tina,
evening, when her colleague, Susie Lay
man, came to her and said
Annie, you are to help sell tickets fol-
that chair, and | am glad, for could moi
sell half dozen tickets the whole evening"
81 am willing to help you, SUSIE" she
said but as for doing all the work, yor
are mistaken in the person; so give m,
the paper and we will 60 to work at once
Oh, but forgot, you have not told me tn,
names of the candidates"
"Mrs. Dr. George and Julia Dickens,
replied Susie.
So, with paper and pencil, each started
on their mission. Annie immediately
went to the three young men, the candi
dates for the mate to the chair.
"Look here, gentlemen she said, %.
am sent around the hall this evening il
quest of an owner to that camp chair you
see upon the stage, and also to assist in
secondary manner in finding its mate.
have not been misinformed, you thre
marrlageaDle men are each anxious TO hav
place to rest your feet and am no
sure but you would like that chair, witt
one of the candidates for its occupant, b,
your side"
"You take great deal for granted
Miss Annie" replied Mr.. Boutelle. "Tel
us what you want and then go on you
way"
at is for you," she said, " to say whicl
shall have that chair, the married or tn
unmarried lady. How many votes will
you each take (ten cents vote), and TO
whom 2"
al will take ten for Miss Dickens" SAT-
Mr.. Boutelle.
"Ten for the same" said DIR. Allen.
And ten more from me-" said the wild
over.
"Good enough" said Annie; "if