News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-03-04
GRANDMA DREW.
BY NJ. ARTHUR.

Grandma Drew, besides being q
grandmother to many by relationship,
was, from her widespread kindness to
everybody and everything, also by
courtesy grandma to many more. Grand
ma, as was her custom, was sitting by
her window carly this spring morning,
watching the sun climb high enough to
peep into the chambers of later risers to
make them uneasy in their Sleep and
finally rouse them to tho fact that new
day was beginning to break on them.
She was noticing the dew-ladened leaves
wet, so wct-waiting for their share OF
warmth and light from the sun. She
noted q poor family opposite waking to
life and labor. She wished she was
strong and active once more, so that she
might help the poor, sickly little woman
with her two big babies and enough
work to make strong man wilt under
the load.
az have grown so helpless, SO useless,
that wonder the Lord leaves mo here
to cumber the oarth any moro" thought
Grandma Drew, with sigh; 'T only
need attention aud care, for which can
make no return. l wish the time had
come to take such q useless person to
rest"
Then she suddenly sat up with smile
Oh her sweet old face and looked moro
cheerful, for she knew some one was
coming in, and if she could do nothing
to help in this great, busy world, she
would, at any rate, cast no cloud over
those who might.
AS the day went on, and the family
became active, many heads peeped in
the door with greeting, "Good-morn-
ing, Grandma aud the hearty, cheerful
response she gave sent away the comers
with some reflected sunshine from the
dear, bright old face and the kindly
voice, which had helped them through
many tasks that might else have proved
wearisome and long.
Then Grandma settled to her knit
ting
Thank the good Lord, can still use
my hands. must try to make something
pretty for Clare's new home" And at
that minute there was Glare herself at
the door-not tho blithe, happy, smiling
girl of yesterday, but one upon whose
young shoulders world of woe seemed
to be fastened.
"Grandma,n said Glare, In a low, des-
ponding voice, ''may / come in2"
"Of course you may como in, my
dearie, and just as welcome will you be
as birds in spring time
"But-but-I don't like, to bring
trouble to you, Grandma, dear but l caas :
keep it all to myself"
''My darling, what Is the matter2'
said Grandma, In low, soothing voice
and she took Clare's hand.
so Grandmai l am Just the most un-
happy girl in all the world" sighed
Glare.
"Why, you dear childl and only
yesterday you told mo that this part of
the earth did not contain one half SO
happy as yourself"
''But that was yesterday" says Clare,
wearily; ''then felt SO sure Tom
loved me, but he don't; he is tired OF
me-he is very tired of me-"
"To begin WITH" says Grandma, very
quietly, but positively, 81 feel sure that
is great mistake"
81 wish / was as sure" says Glare,
sobbing as if her heart would break
'but it is no mistake, Grandma; it is
just hard, ugly, stubborn fact"
4NOnJ AOON u SAdlOt ICb Llc
see your face; you thought all was right
when you and Tom were up here yester-
day afternoon"
''Oh! yes, l did then, and !. was So
so happy" sighs Glare.
"Then tell me, dear, clearly, where
did you find the little rift that is spoil
ing all your musicf'
~ willln says Glare, bracing herself
up to tell the uncomfortable facts. "You
see, was Gerry anxious to go to Minnie's
last night-not that | was so eager to
sec Minnie, but it is such nice, long
walk to her house, and was thinking
what delicious chance it was for @
good chat with Tom. WE'LL proposed
1t, mover thinking he would not be de-
lighted to go, and-and do you know,
Tom wouldn't go-just wouldntg"
ibid he say Il sooastP" asked Grand
ma.
mo" said Clare, "worso than that -
much, apuGA worse"
'Woll, let me Judge, dear, for 1t will
take great deal to make me change my
opinion of your good Tom"
''He is not mine, and don't believe
he is so very good, either, sobbcd Glare.
"This Is what he did: first he was going
to say something, and then he got red
and stopped; then he said he thought il
might rain, and then in a minute he ad-
ded that he hadn't time"
"And what did you do, Clarem
'Do? Grandma. What could I dc
but get angry-ever SO angry2 No time
What a reason to give mel and as fol
rain, it scaSnt going to rain!"
"And Tom, dear, what did he say2"
''He tried to make it smooth, and
said he had something to tell me, but
was too proud to listen to any more
miserable excuses. l said, If he had nc
time to go with me, had none to lister
to stupid stories l said stupid, Grand,
ma, and meant it, and left the room
and banged the door, to hide how very
wretched was, for don't you see plainly
clearly, he is getting tired of me, if hC
has learned to make 81 much better use
of his ovenings%
''No, don't quite see it, said Grand
ma, and she smiled.
| ttOhI don't lauuh ut my sorrow, y sale