St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1886-07-22
THE LITTLE BROWN DRESS.
BY KATE L. BROWN.

was the scene of much hustle and
laughing, rapid talk. Many of the
girls had met for the first time since
examination day. Isabel, just home
from the mountains Gertie and Alice,
tanned and rosy from the seaside J;
Florence, full of her Western trip,
were making up for lost time in chat
tering like so many magpies. There
was no break in the confusion until
the warning tap of the bell sent them
all to their seats, ready for the days
work.
Miss Dale had just taken her Bible,
when the door opened, and a strange
little figure appeared upon the thresh-
old "a girl, pale and thin, with great
brown eyes, aud the oldest dress that
had ever made its appearance in Haw-
thorne school. 1t was a dull, butter
nut brown, and looked as if it had
originally belonged to some person
older than the child of twelve who
wore it. 1t was scant and long, flap
ping against her heels, and the short,
old fashioned basque, bnttOned in
front, gave her more the appearance
of little old lady than anything else.
The girl gave one shy, blushing
glance at the forty amazed and Won
dering faces, then, stepping to Miss
Dale, handed her a note, waiting quiz
city while she read it.
Miss Dale assigned her a seat next
to Isabel Archer, and went on with
the reading. But | fear that the sweet
words of the parable fell on inatten-
tive ears, so many eyes were engaged
in scrutinizing the new conner.
The morning passed rapidly away
in the assignment of lessons and the
examination of new text books. At
recess it transpired that the strangers
name was Ruth Strong, that her home
was in BrentfOrd, two miles from the
city, and that she had been admitted
by special permit from the committee.
The girls sauntered about in pairs,
or stood in groups, but no one seemed
to consider it worth while to speak to
the new conner, much less to invite
her to share their company. So she
stood lonely and neglected, watching
the bright dresses and merry faces,
with a feeling as if she were in new
world, that, however lovely it might
be, was not quite friendly to her.
"Who in the world do you suppose
she is ?" queried Alice.
"An inhabitant of the ark, | should
judge" replied Isabel, gravely.
"Did you ever see such a dress ~
said Alice. 81 didn't suppose such a
one was left in Massachusetts. People
generally bestow such treasures upon
beggars and ash heaps"
"Perhaps she's the oldest inhabi
tant's daughter" ventured Florence.
"Well, she's queer specimen, what
ever she is" replied Gertie; and in
this the group unanimously agreed.
That night Ruth Strong, after her
two miles walk to the dingy house by
the toll gate, sat looking into the fire
with n very grave, tired face. A pair
of thin, loving arms were around her
neck, and two sweet blue eyes looked
up into her own.
Dear little Berry Strong, the sun
shine of that humble home, was trying
her best to comfort her brave sister.
And well it needed for Ruth to be
brave, for the little room was bare and
almost cheerless, the dear mothers
face anxious and carewOrn, and Berry,
her one sister, helpless cripple.
During the eight years of her suffer-
ing life the child had never walked
one step, but lay patiently through the
long hours, hiding her pain and cheer
ing all other hearts by her unfailing
sunshine. She patted the sober face
with her tiny hand, oh, so tiny and
transparent "YOu dear tired old
Rue, I'm so glad to have you back !
Now, tell me all about it; was it nice 2"
"SchOOl is just splendid, Berry-sO
many books and pictures and globes,
and a piano. And Miss Dale explains
so clearly l can't help learning"
"Do you like the girls Were they
kind to youF
"They are pretty girls, and wear
such lovely dresses | wish you could
see them. But they don't know me,
and 1 don't expect they want to. L
must not mind it. | go to study you
know, so that some day l can teach
and earn money for you and mother"
81 wish you had a better dress to
wear. | hate this hOrrid old brown"
And Berry gave the offending dress Il
vicious little poke.
"Hush, dear mothers coming" And
the kitchen door opened, and the worn
face appeared - the face that never
failed to smile tenderly at her children
no matter how heavy the burden might
be.
The days passed on, and the girls
began to be accustomed to the quaint
little brown clad figure. 1t slipped in
and out so quietly, and was so unob-
trusive, never putting itself in the way
or calling down notice upon itself The
girls saw a serious face bent resOlutely
to it's tasks, and felt no little wonder
at a girl who studied for the love of it,
and seemed eager to improve every
opportunity.
a.. l.. n Il
received an unexpected holiday. A
Teachers Institute" was to be held
in town, and the presence of every
teacher had been specially requested.
Isabel Archer and her friends gave
an enthusiastic vote of thanks to the
"BOard of Education" and planned a
grand nutting excursion for the after
noon.
So the four ''inseparables" met at
Gertie's house at precisely one, and
started off in high glee for chestnut
grove on the Brentford road, about
three miles distant. What joyous
time they had among the gorgeous au-
tumn leaves, filling their basket with
the glossy brown fruit They ran
about, laughed, told stories, until the
sun, creeping westward warned them
of the time for departure. ~ say,
girls" said Isabel, suddenly, "let's go
home by the river road. 1t is nearer,
and at the tOll-bridge we can meet the
Edgerly horse car and ride to Garden
street, and no one will mind walking
from there" So they turned into the
river road, and by and by the toll
bridge came in sight, with the shabby
cid cottage near by.
''Our friend, Mrs. Noah lives there"
said Isabel as they neared the bridge.
"Let's go and make her a call"