The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-08-25
In a Carrot.

When old Squire Marcy died, having
lived twenty years beyond his allotted
time, the neighbors were very curious
as to the existence of a will. For if
there were none /" the girls " would
have to give up their home and do
something for living" The little
farm, which had yielded comfortable
living for three persons, when sold, and
its proceeds divided among ten, would
give but a pittance to each. 1t was
generally conceded that " it would come
hard on the girls"
provider," said Mrs. Denison to her
husband, who hoped to " administer "
the estate if no will was found Sabra
nor Cynthy, neither of 'em, have ever
been stinted.. They'll feel it dreadfully
if they've got to give up their comfort
able home and come down to earning
their own bread and cheese"
L shall advise the girls to bring in
BILL" said Mr.. Denison, " a bill for
their services. The probate court will
allow it quicker'n lightning"
''The girls won't bring in no BILL"
said his wife; "Sabra told me that if
her father didn't set enough by them
to provide for them she should not
make any claim on the estate"
"That's Just like woman" said
Mr.. Denison, testify.
But no will, and no evidence that the
old gentleman had ever contemplated
making one, could be found. Mr.. Den
ison received the coveted appointment,
and the settlement of the estate by law
went forward.
Cynthy and Sabra were the children
of their fathers third wife. A delicate
creature she had been, who accepted
Squire Marcy's offer because, homeless
and friendless, the prospect of home
tempted her. But her home was made
wretched by eight children, sons and
daughters of her predecessors, some OF
them nearly as old as herself, coarsely
organized, quarrelsome, but agreeing
upon one point-to make life as intol-
cradle for their young step-mother as
possible. She could not bear up under
their petty prosecutions. In few
years she was laid to rest with the
other wives, leaving her two little girls
to fight their way as best they could.
1t had been hard life for the children
at first, but one by one the older ones
had drifted away, and finally the west
ern fever seized upon them all, and
they went, one after another, to make
homes on the broad, fertile prairies
So for many years the sisters had liveC
happy, peaceful lives in the old home
stead with their father.
They were quiet, gentle women, in
heriting poetic temperament from
| ho; r>1f
house and the woods about it. The,
knew where the earliest spring flower
grew and where to find the brightes
autumn leaves. They would not hav,
dared to let their neighbors, who disap
proved openly of their traipsin!
about all over the woods" know wha
treasures of pressed flowers and leave
they had carefully put away. Not TO
worlds would Miss Cynthy have told o
the timid attempts at flower-paintin
she sometimes made in the solitude o
her own room. They had not felt mucl
in sympathy with their neighbors here
tofore, but now that real trouble ha
come upon them every one was kind, an
the sisters found they had many warn
friends where they least expected t
find them. They were middle-age
: women now, well advanced in thei
fifth decade. OF their half-brother
and sisters they knew little, but it wa
certain there would be no mercy fror
them. They would grudge the sister
the " living" they had had, and eac
one would eagerly claim every penn
due. Once Mr.. Denison ventured t
suggest his idea of " bill,' but a
Il in Co
warned him, and he left his sentenc
unfinished.
"Cynthy," said Miss Sabra, on
bright September morning, " Mr.. DEM
son said last night that he though
brother James would be here prett
soon. Don't you think we'd bette
look over the things in the garnet be
fore he comes? l don't feel as if
could have any one but ourselves toucl
mothers things"
" Just as you think best, sister Sabra,
answered Miss Cynthy, meekly. Tn
coming change was an even create
grief to her than TO her elder sister
She loved her old home with an almos
passionate tenderness, and it seeme
to her sometimes that leaving it woul
almost break her heart,
The two sisters finished their morn
ing tasks in silence, and without
word climbed the narrow stairs that lie,
to the old garnet. Such a treasure
house of family relics as it was Not
child of all the ten whose development
could not be traced in cast-off clothin!
and old school-books. There were boXe
and trunks, carefully packed, standing
primly against the wall. Old garments
dating back to old Squire Marcy's frs
wedding coat, hung above them. Nea
a window was a broken looking-glass
with gilt and ebony frame, the uppe
portion filled with gay flower-piece
and Miss Cynthy, in subdued tone
| ooIvod Nf;eu Sabra IL ohio didn't ro,,o,,