The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-02-24
Selected Storm.
Written for the Waterman.
Nellie.
by NED GWEN.

mere-butterfly, and look of scorn
overspread the face of Mrs. Grandson.
God made the butterflies, Maria,
and | remember when / was a child
what pleasure l had watching and adj
miring them"
"Useless things" interrupted the
young woman.
Florence is very kind and affection
ate-and generous, too" continued the
silver-haired old lady, into whose face
IA lingering tenderness had crept while
listening to the letter that led to the
above conversation.
"Generous and extravaganza" with
great deal of emphasis on the last
word. 81 am surprised that Frank can
pay his bills"
"The Lord has always seemed to
prosper him, daughter"
Prosper himl' with a disdainful
look, "but do you suppose he is going
to forgive such waste?"
Don't you think you may be mis-
taken about the waste? Ispent whole
winter in their southern home and l
saw no extravaganza"
"Why, Mother Grandson, when you
know how handsome everything is and
how Florence dresses and keeps little
Nellie looking like a doll for Christ
mas!"
Everything seemed to be beautiful
rather than handsome. l thought their
clothes really inexpensive, and they do
all of their own sewing. 1t is wonder
full the knack Fosse has with bit of
lace or silk and a few flowers. Any
thing she takes into her hands seems
to fashion itself into beauty" Grandma
had an eye for beauty, though the en-
ergetic and economical daughter-in-law
whose influence had changed a husband
from fair sort of a man into what
some of the neighbors called I" close
listed driver" had been the means of
shutting her away from many things
that used to delight her.
Mrs. Horace Grandson always bought
fine materials and, Notwithstanding her
penuriOusness, was compelled to pay
both dressmaker and milliner for work
for which she had neither inclination
nor time, preferring to manage her
own household and do drudgery that
had no attraction for the sister-in-law
whose life she condemned because of
the graceful garments worn by herself
and daughter and the attractiveness OF
their little home that affected one like
bower of roses. Horace Grandson IS
wife had even had the woodbine torn
away from her side of the house
bugs and worms and filthy things
were on it," and then "it did the
building no good" she said. When
she left grandma she shut the door in
her most emphatic way-and shutting a
door was sort of temper thermome
ter with her-and the elder lady picked
up her knitting, while gradually sor
rowful look gave place to one more Sc
rene. She had much to try her, bu
when left alone she sought her ont
resting-place, at the feet of Jesus, an(
faith and hope gained the mastery.
CHAPTER II.
eyes, Flossie, there is missionary
work to be done the world over" and
after a thoughtful pause, he said &c
do not wish to be unkind in word OF
deed, but, darling, ever since the flying
visit / made, last fall, at the old home
stead it has saddened me to think O
them. 1 often wish, little as want t.
spare you, that you and Nellie nigh
spend the coming summer with them
to brighten and cheer them into living.
Why, Frank"
1T does not seem brotherly to speal
of Horace in such way and do no
wish to do Maria an injustice, but t.
you / must make clean breast of it
When l was boy how mother used t,
gather us about her, in the twilight, tt
sing songs with her, while she playe,
upon the organ that still stands in he
sitting-room, though nearly voceles
for many years. 1t was quite valuabl
pipe organ, and wonder if it is posi-
BILE to have it put in order. To mothe
it would seem like the return of an oil
friend. What games we played-an
mother the sunniest and brightest o
us all. She never had so much to d
that she could not find time to cares
and fondle her boys; generous an
brave, TOGO, she was model woman
do not remember that Horace wa
very different from the rest; but, bein
several years older than I, he left HON
much sooner, and only returned afte
the death of father, you know, in orde
to manage the farm. Perhaps he a
ways cared more for money-makin
than the others did. l do not know
but now it seems as if he had Just on
object in view-work, work, work, a
ways to advantage, of course, addin
yearly to his now considerable wealth
No recreation, no time for anything bl
drive everybody and everything frol
early morn till late at night. After al
Maria seems to be the handspring th
keeps the machinery moving, and or
and all they respond to her demand
unless it is Frank. l must say
doesn't seem to have got fairly into IL
ruts. He has inherited the sweetne
of his grandmother, and do not thir
his father or his mother can ever NAL
of him perfect drudge, as they have
the older boys"
80, Frank, laughed Florence, Will
tears, too, stood in her eyes; l.,
heard that ones namesake is apt to
favorite."
" But, Flossie, he is really beautif
boy. / should like to adopt him, bl
he doesn't need it half as much as pc,
little Harry. His discontinued fa'
haunts me. Franks disposition is nat
rally happy one; refined in his taste
loving study and loving play, too, as
boy ought, he does not relish the life
is living, but his extreme good natu
carries him along smoothly. Harry HI
heen ont IF school for aevarol w a "a