The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-09-16
The Shelf in the Attic.

The Shelf in the Attic.
When Kate Holden entered the sit
ting-room to greet stylish caller,
glance revealed the disorderly condi-
ton of the room that had been made
tidy by her own hand but few hours
before. Three pairs of overshoes Law
before the polished CRATE; waterproof
covered the best chair; states and books
nearly concealed the pretty table-cover:
several dolls, with their ample ward
robe, occupied the sofa, while frag-
ments of bread, doughnuts and apples
told of lunch suddenly interrupted.
Poor Kate could not conceal her annov-
ance, and the cloud that rested upon
her usually sunny face deepened as
she parted from her friend and returned
to her mothers room. 1t was not a
new trial; Kate's wisdom and patience
had been sorely taxed during the pro-
tracted illness of her mother, and the
active children, missing the mothers
restraining hand, were rapidly getting
beyond her control.
Mrs. Holden listened patiently to
kate's oft-repeated story of thought
lessness on the part of the children.
and realized that something must be
done to assist her in enforcing habits
of order Kate's ingenuity soon de-
veloped a plan, and the decree went
forth that all mislaid articles would be
speedily transferred to certain broad
shelf in the attic, from which none but
the owner might remove them. The
novelty of the plan interested the chill
dren, while father, Kate, and even
Bridget, promised to submit to its con-
ditions; and Kate, sanguine of success.
made haste to appoint place for every
thing, and to put everything in its APP
propriate place.
For few days order reiened in the
house. Mary's dolls were carefully re-
turned to their drawer; the BOYS hats
hung on their allotted pegs; Jennys
aprons and ribbons were no longer
sown broadcast throughout the house:
and even little Charities blocks and TOYS
were carefully guarded from threatened
exile. But careless habits had too long
prevailed to be overcome at once, and
the first rainy day sent a waterproof
and umbrella to the broad shelf. The
same evening, as the children gathered
about the table to prepare lessons.
Harry's books could not be found.
Where did you leave them?" asked
one.
81 know where he will find Them"
said Jenny; and, amid peals of laughter,
Harry, with more than necessary en-
ergy, assembled the attic stairs. This
was valuable reminder to the other
children, but soon Mary's dolls disap-
peared from the sofa; Jenny's paint
box from the dining-table; even Char
lies soldiers exchanged their camping
ground in mammals room for the greater
secluslon of the broad shelf in the at
tic. The children usually submitted
cheerfully. Jennie sometimes pettishlv
complained OF the inconvenience of
dressing-room at the top of the house,
and John, when time pressed, preferred
to do without cuffs and gloves.
1t isn't all fun" said Mary, one
evening, as she timidly entered the
dusky room, in search of her compost
tionbook, " but if we can only catch
Kate, I'll not complain
An opportunity occurred at length.
Kate, preparing for drive, sought in
vain for her muff. She hurried from
closet to drawer in search of the miss
ing article that no one had seen, while
her escort restrained the impatient
horses at the gate.
Charley must have taken it," she
said, fretfully; and, finding him in the
kitchen, she repeated her question.
Yes" said the little rogue. 81
found it on mammals bed, and Bridget
and putted it away on the attic shelf,
where she found my blocks.n
Bridget suddenly disappeared, and
Kate sought the attic shelf, followed by
the children's shouts of triumph.
Mr.. Holden's turn came at last.
Children" he asked hurriedly, one
morning, Z" have any of you seen my
driving-gloves?"
Yes, papa DEAR replied Mary,
sweetly, " saw them last night in the
attic on the broad shelf"
A look of establishment, not I'M
mingled with displeasure, passed over
his face, as he repeated, " In the attic"
Mary saw the half-frightened look of
the children, the cloud upon her faith
er's face; and, fearing she had ven
tured too far, quickly sprang up, say
ing: " Forgive me, papa. I'll 60 and
get them"
NO, no." said Mr.. Holden; " had
quite forgotten the new law, but if /
have broken it I'll pay the penalty"
As his heavy footsteps assembled the
stairs, the repressed mirth gave way to
merry laughter, in which he heartily
joined. Quiet was scarcely restored
when Bridget was heard anXiously in
curing for lost broom.
"You'll find it on the broad shelf in
the attic" shouted Harry; "the piazza
is not a proper place for broom"
Bridget also mounted the attic stairs.
"She's the very last said Jenny:
" it's doing us lots of good, and / don't
mind going every day for the fun of
seeing others go"
She cid not go every day, however,
for orderly habits we've becoming fixed
in the Holden family Kate's tasks
were greatly lightened, and when Mrs.
Holden was able to resume her place
in the family she found the law, like
many another, unnecessary, because
seldom transpressed -GOl6en Rule