Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-12-24

dreamed all night OF the littDe Diogenes
in her calico froek.l
That week and the neg t week he
wai,ed patiently for the fin t glimpse of
that remarkable garment o Jming around
the corner, but in vain. And when, in
such very careless mann er that it was
quite remarkable, he won dered audibsy
''where that odd little gull lived whoa
he saw on the eve of his ARRIVAL Aunt
Hester answered. dIyly= "Away up
thercuI>outs," pointing with her hand.
She boarded, she believed, with some
queer sort of folks there; though, for
that matter, she was queer enough her
self. And this was absolutely all she
would say on the subj, ct.
The next day Sol to ok it upon himself
to wander up that way, whereabouts, {"
and was rewarded wit glimpse of the
calico frock going through a broken
gate; and, followingit closely, came up
with the wearer as she, was about to
ent CT the dilapdated front dor, at
which piece of impertnience she was so
much jncensed as to turn very red, while
tears actually started to her eyes.
"WhNt do you WANT she asked,
sharply eQongh.
10 see you" replied Sol, who. taken
by surprise, could think of nothing but
the truth.
'Well, you have seen me-now go?"
''But it's warm day, and am very
tired"
Il can't help that. It's not my fault
is it."
''You might ask me to walk in and sit
down, if you were not as hard hearted as
HurOnw
"This is not my lsouse"
"You would then, if it were2"
IL don't say that"
"Well, then, am thirsty-give me
glass of water"
There is the we'll, and an iron cup
fastened to it by chain, help your
self.
"You inhospitable little nissan
thrope ="
''But she was gone; and the next time
he inquired for her, Aunt Hester told
him, with malicious twinkle of the eye,
that she was gone to the city.
Perhaps the good soul had been
troubled with visions of a future Mrs.
Grggs, and was not altogether dispIeased
that an insurmountable barrier was
placed between that odd Rachel Hart
and her nephew Sol, who was good
boy, but didn't know the ways of
women"
Be that as it may. her Joy was shortly
turned into mourning, for Solomon re-
ceived dispatches requiring his immedi-
ate presence in the city. at least so he
said, for Aunt Hester was immovable in
her conviction that THAT Rachel was
somehow at the bottom of it." She even
limited as much toSolomon when he babe
her good bye; but he only laughed, and
told her to take care of herself.
After all, business could not have been
80 very pressing, as he spent the greater
portion of his time wandering through
lanes and back streets, not unfTequently
dashing down alleys with the ineXplca-
bic exclamation of "That's here" from
whence he always returned very red in
the face and sheepish in expression. -.
Three months had passed away, when
he nearly ran against little woman,
who looked up in his face with sar-
donic smile.
"Your eyesight is not so good in the
city, Mr.. Grggs. You don't know me
here"
"Rachel Miss Hart, I have been
looking for you everywhere. II
where do you live?"
She hesitated moment, then said
shortly: Come and see." And turning
led the way through narrow streets. reek-
ing with filth and teeming with wretch
ed population. up a fight of broken
stairs, into a dingy little room, whose
only redeeming feature was its perfect
cleanliness.
"Will you be seated. fMr. Griggs2" she
asked with scornful smile. "Now that
you know my residence, / trust that |
may have the pleasure of seeing you
frequently"
"And you live in this den" asked
Solomon, heedIessly of her sarcasm.
GLOW do you support ycurself2'
''By my needle"
And how much does it take to keep
up this magnificent ST. lie of liviug2"
"By unremitting exertion | can earn
two dollars week"
"Great heavens! why didn't you come
to me?'
''For two excellent reasons First, l
should not have known where to have
found you; second, ! should not have
come if | had
"Of course not Your pride is to you
meat and drink Still you might have
come. We are in want of hands"
II do not believe it. You wish to
cheat me into accepting aims"
"There is our advertisement. read it
for yourself!" pulling paper from his
pocket.
The sunken eyes CLEANED eagerly-she
was human after all, and was even then
suffering the pangs of hunger.
'Mr. Griggs, believe you are good
man" she said, bursting into tears. II
will work for YOU gladly. | am starry
ing
And she did work, early and late, spite
of Solomons entrcaties, refusing to ac-
C pt any thing but her wages, declining
to receive his visits, sending back his
gifts, steadily refusing above all to be.
come his wife, though she softened won
derfully toward him.
"You are rich 1 am poor" she aaid,
in reply TO his passionate arguments.
"You are handsome am ugly; the
world would laugh and your family be
Justly offended
Il have no family, aud as for the
world, let it laugh; dare be happy in
spite of it"
II will not have YOU"
"Do you not love me-"
~ will not have you" and with that
answer Solomon was obliged to rest con-
tnntnl