The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-05-05
'' Liz

"What are you up to, Liz" And Dick
banders, the tin-peddler, stalked into
he large, well-ordered country kitchen,
bnd, with only this salutation, drew
bff his gray yarn mittens and proceeded
to warm his almost benumbed fingers
by the roaring fire that sputtered and
cracked under LIS huge boiler of
clothes.
"I'm up to my eyes in the wash
tub" replied the individual thus ad-
dressed, not over politely.
''That's what l was a-thinking," said
he "The boiler holds out good, don't
it, now? The last time it sot to leaking
tho't twas all day with the patriarch
-buttered if 1 didn't. No wonder that
folks blow on my ware!"
CT was telling Miss Avery t'other
day." interrupted Liz, that when she
needed any more tin things l hoped
she'd send to town arter 'em. Your
stuff has listened to your CAB and brag
so long that somehow it's got bad
edication. Now them pans never be-
haved like the pans Tim Bucklin used
to bring round. They're always a
bending and springing a leak. To
speak little palmer, Pm always afeared
to trust 'em, specially when it's on
usually important that they should hold
in"
What in natur' are you drivin' at,
Liz" inquired poor Dick, genuine
look of wonder overspreading his face.
But before his companion could have
time to reply the door of the sitting
room softly opened, and young lady,
apparently very deep in thought and
very much troubled in spirit-for her
eyes were red and heavy with weeping
appeared on the threshold.
"What is it, Floy?" said Liz, scoop
ing the white suds from her strong, red
arms, and with such a little thrill of
tenderness in her voice that the ped
dler involuntarily turned to see what it
could mean, and then remembering his
manners, said, hastily:
Good-mornipg, Miss Avery. Hope
you're we'll"
The young lady gave little start of
surprise, and then, recovering herself,
said, with considerable annoyance in
her tone:
81 am quite we'll, thank you, Dick.
thought you were alone, Liz" and
Immediately left the kitchen.
"Now, what's the matter with her?"
inquired the tin-merchant. Golly!
amt she been bawling, though! l tell
we what tits, Liz, if a Teller wants to
know the secrets of families all he's
got to do is to turn peddler."
Just So" added Liz, punching the
clothes in the boiler with such force as
to send the scalding suds in Dicks i'm
mediate neighborhood, causing said
gentleman to change his quarters with
out loss of time.
Say, now, what is it that ails the
gal, Liz? l won't say word about it
to nobody"
Chow long did you say you'd been
travelling round the country?" asked
Liz, with a comical twinkle of her COM
ical eyes.
"Nigh about twelve year. Why?"
Because it seems to me pretty near
time that you should a-learnt that VIM
men folks is wimmen folks; and when
you'll find me woman that don't have
her crying spells, IN find you tin
peddler that minds his own business
"Thankee, marm," replied Dick,
dryly Have queer sort of an idee
somehow, that last remark is intended
for me. All day, Liz! Hope the next
time Pm round you'll be better ma.
tured."
Not a word answered Liz. The ped
dler jumped into his cart and drove
away; and in and out of the suds went
those stalwart arms, the muscular anC
ungainly form keeping time to the
quick and defiant music of the rubbing
board.
ooh, he's gone! l am so gladp'
And now the graceful figure came
softly out again and crept close to the
side of the busy woman.
" | want to read you my letter, Liz
the one l have just written him."
"Well, who's him? There are two
on 'em, you know" replied Liz
quietly, and with great self-possession
Yes, Liz" and now the beautiful
brown eyes again overlooked, and the
sobbing child drew still nearer, as she
whispered:
"But there is only one l could write
to, of course, even if / knew where h
was" with an accent on the persona
pronoun that told its own story.
"Then what you mean to tell me il
that you have just written a letter t.
Hiram Scoville?"
Yes, Liz"
Wall, go on"
Don't look at me, Liz, while l real
it. just said this. You know how
father and mother have been taking OF
lately-calling me undutiful, and head
strong, and obstinate, and saying tina
/ meant to break their hearts? -"
g Is this in the letter." queried Liz.
mo; am saying this to you. Yol
know, deary, how hard my life ha
been for the last six months-well, eve
since he ="
eyes, Flory, l know all about it
Now read the letter, before anybod
comes in."
Dear friend Hiram" came tremu
lousy from the sweet lips.
Humph" grunted Liz.
"What else could l say?" said poo
Flora, desparingly. HE Is my friend
isn't hep"
"That depends pretty much on you
idea of friend My friend don't ton
ment me. My friend saves me fror
suffering if he can; and If he CAM
bears it with me, carrying as much 9
the burden as God will let him. N
friend will ever ask woman to MARI
him the second time after he has bee
once refused"