Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-05-02

husband2 Had it caused her to forgive
old Miss Starr an olfense Of ten years
standing2 ,,S~. f.. =
Poor Mrs. Baker the truth brought
home to her thus roughly from other lips
did more toward opening her eyes to her
own past conduct than any advice or
counsel, however kindly meant, could
have DONE
When John came in st 10 o'clock he
was surprised to find his wife in tears.
Such a sight was extremely novel to say
the least, and he was very much dis
tressed by it. But he was not given any
key to the mystery. Sarah took up her
candle and went to bed without a word.
Madge thought her mother strangely
silent and subdued the next morning, and
watched her with some anxiety.
'G'm afraid mothers going to be sick"
she said to her father, following him out
into the yard when he went to the pump
for pail of water.
''She does act sorter queer" admitted
John. "We must jest be gentle with hel
and not answer her back if she gets
riIAd.n
AS Madge came back into the Kitchen
again her mother looked up from the pan
of milk she was skimming.
"You can have your club meet here On
Tuesday if you choose, Madge, " she said.
'I'ye thought better of wha. | said yes
terday."
"Oh, mother, how good ofyou!" cried
Madge, running to kiss her-a caress
which Mrs. Baker received very kindly.
''We shall be. ever so careful of the car
pet and curtains And l want to tell
you, mother, that am sorry Imade such
fuss last night. 1t was ridiculous, as
you said, and I'm ashamed of myself.
And beg your pardon for speaking to
you as | did, too"
"Well both forget all about it" said
Mrs. Baker; "and now"-as John came
in with the water-"I want to hold a
consultation about Miss Starr 1t is only
right that we should do what we can tC
help her. What do you say to sub
scription to buy her another cow, John
l should think we could raise enough tc
buy her a milker quite as good as old
Queen"
"Just the thing!" exclaimed John
"You have such clear head, Sarah! II
put my name down for three dollars"
"And l will carry the subscription
paper around, " said Madge. "Im a first
class beggar. you know"
The news that Mrs. Baker had under
taken to restore to Mrs Starr her mean
of livelihood flew about the village lik
wildfre, and handsome sum was sool
raised for the old lady, whose gratitud
to her former enemy was very touching
She could not say enough in Mrs Baker
praise.
The first step is always the hardest
Mrs. Baker found it not at all difficult t
keep on in the new path into which sh
had stepped. There were, very naturally
times when she forgot her new resolutions
but the thought of Miss Tilly's remark
about her religion was always suficien
to give her strength to begin again,
GLOW good of you, Mrs. Baker, to tax
UP the cause of that poor Mrs. Starr
said lilly Marsh, one day, when she me
her neighbor in the village street.
cit was only my duty, " said Mrs. Baker
'I was the only person to see to her, yo
know, since I am on the relief commit
tee."
When Miss Tilly went home she sal
to her mother that she felt sure they ha
done Mrs. Baker injustice in thinking he
vainglorious and selfish.
Perhaps we did," said Mrs. Marsl
'I don't understand her lately. She ism
at all as she used to be. Something hi
changed her. I wish I knew what
E was" But she never did.