The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-01-07

came swicging along in his shirt-sleeyes,
his linen duster over his arm.
How rich, and prosperous, and happy he
was
Janet did not desire to dispossess Mr.
Dent of his good-fortune, but she thought
it hard that little of the brightness of life
could not be hers.
But when Mr.. Dent came opposite the
shed-door, the happy light died out of his
pleasant gray eyes.
Well it might. Janet did not dream what
Apitiful sight her poor little tear-stained
face was.
But Mr.. Dent spoke cheerily.
. All work and no play makes Jill a dull
girl, doesn't it ?" he said, taking the basket
HON her hand and in @ moment carrying it,
loaded, into the kitchen. You have too
much to do; the spirit is willing, but the
flesh is weak"
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Much rs Janet was pleased, she never
would have dreamed of taking the gentle
man at his word but the next morning
proved a rainy one, so that Mr.. Dents
chamber, being cold and no fire lighted in
the sitting room, he came into the kitchen
with his book and ensconced himself in the
great rocking chair beside the stove.
That was the pleasantest day of Janet's
life. Mr.. Dent told her such funny stories,
and read so beautifully from his great
book and then, he filed the water-pails,
and kept the fire burning and jumped up
to lift the heavy tubs for her, and sat down
again to keep the bread from burning, while
she carried Mrs. Titus dinner up.
And while he was doing oil this, Mr..
Dent was thinking what a dear little patient
thing she was, and how prettily the nut
brown hair curled over her head.
At night he filed the boxes with wood,
strained the milk, wound the high clock and
turned the cats out and all day he had had
a jest for everything, and genial glance
and kind tone, that turned darkness into
light for Janet
She sighed with happiness as she went to
sleep, though Mrs. Titus goodnight word
had been that "she was lazy, good-for-
nothing thing |" and that she should be
down stairs tomorrow to see what Janet
was up to-"
The n)rtheast storm continued, and Mr..
Dent was sitting by the fire again, when
Mrs. Titus limped into the kitchen with O
cane.
Now, Mr.. Dent had just been chopping
mince-meat, with Mrs. Titus gingham
apron and ruffied cap on, and had barely
cast them aside, when the lady opened the
door and caught Janet laughing.
She might well have looked amazed, 70,
she never had seen Janet laughing before.
Now, why she probably could not have told,
but Mrs. Titus was very much offended.
She waited until dinner was served, and
Janet had gone into the well-room to cool
the pudding, then she began bitter TRADE
Pretty business this is, giggling and
fooling your time away and everything to
dol Mr.. Dents been reading poetry to
you, has he? How much moro churning
can you do when you listen to poetry
Have you baked that fruit-cake ? Well, ]
know it's made strongl Did you shut that
settin' hen off the nest ? I don't believe it.
What's Mr.. Dent in the kitchen for, any
way ?"
For the fire, ma'am. The chambers are
80 chilly. And had SO much TO do, and
he was kind, and his arms were strong"
faltered poor little Janet.
Umph Been complaining to Mr. Dent,
have you, that you work so hard2 Whin-
ing, good-for-nothing creature wish I'd
left you in the asylum. never thought of
your turning out like this-luring men into
my kitchen when I'm sick in bed"
"Stop, Mrs. Titus |" interposed Mr..
Dents heavy voice. Better not go too far.
Janet has told you all there is to tell. did
think abe worked too hard. / felt kindly
howard her. 1 have pair of strong arms
which have helped her little. And they
are still at her service. They shall be hers
for life IL she will. Little Janet, will you
accept me for o husbands Many younger
man will not be as To nder and true as l.
Janet. VIII you come, little one? ?"
And Janet-she looked once with her
vide innocent eyes into the strong, gentle
face, then went straight into those extended
arms, though Mrs. Titus stood by shifting
the air in scorn.
Well, never!" she exclaimed. "To
think of it !"
Janet never was scolded again. Those
kind, strong arms have been about her ever
since. To-be-sure, she was not educated
for gentlemnn's wife, but Mr.. Dent took
her home to the hndest of mothers and sis
tiers, whose influence and tact polished her
unobtrusive manners, and soon made her
the most elegant of women. The toil-worn
little hands are white as snow now; but,
better than all, her heart is the happiest that
oya baaf s,,o fa,a