The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-02-01

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she tells me, is Edith Trask, and she is
boarding at Maria PETERS,"
He said few words more in lower
tone, then went out to put away his
horse, and the woman turned to Edith
with a kindly smile.
" Let me take thy shawl, dear, and
just thee sit right down by the fire and
warm those cold toes; then thee can
take nap in my bedroom. Eat these
cookies, dear, while thee is warming"
She went on with her occupation till
Edith had made an end of the cookies
and declared herself "as warm as
toast;" then the kindly soul carried her
into pleasant bedroom, undressed
her, and put her to bed in funny little
short gown.
"Thee sees, dear, that little folks are
strangers here, or l should be better
prepared for them. Now sleep well,
and Joshua, my husband, will inquire
when thy father comes" She went out
softly and in two minutes Edith was
fast asleep.
When she woke a lady was sitting
beside her reading-a lady not very
young, but fair and sweet, with light
brown hair and large dark-gray eyes.
She wore dark cloth dress neatly fit
ting her slender figure, but without or
naments or jewelry. When Edith
opened her eyes the lady smiled and
took out tiny watch.
You have been asleep two hours,
my dear. 1t is six O'Clock and Aunt
Eunice is getting tea. When she told
me the name of her little guest felt
70 I ho1
friend of your name"
"Was it a lady or a gentleman"
asked Edith, wondering if the question
were impolite.
GA gentleman" answered the lady,
little sadly. 6 1t was great many
years ago, in place long way from
here"
Edith gazed at the fair-faced lady
with much interest and wondered if
the friend could be any relative of her
papa's. A delightful odor like that of
molasses candy now diverted Edith's
attention, and in a few minutes her
hostess entered the room with steam
ing bowl and spoon.
az heard thee talking, dear, to my
niece, Lucy Parrish, and have brought
thee something nice for thy cold. Then
thee can get up, and we will all have
supper when Joshua comes back from
the village again"
She watched the little girl with a
pleased smile as she took the contents
of the bowl. 1t was like soft molasses
candy, and so good that Edith did not
leave an atom.
"Now, dear, l will tell thee what
thp,, boct bod That IcfomaJ
Quaker as the worlds people call it.
A little molasses and butter and vine
gar boiled together and eaten warm.
Does thee feel like cannibal now?"
Edith broke into merry laugh, in
which her hostess. and Lucy Parrish
joined. Il never heard of such a
thing" she said, "and l was so fright
ened, for l thought 1 should have to
take it if that woman said so-unless l
ran away.'
Joshua Truman now came in and
the four seated themselves at we'll
spread table. Edith thought she had
never eaten such tempting chicken or
such delicious preserves.
/" told Friend Maria Peeler that her
little charge was very comfortable and
that | would bring her home after tea )"
said Joshua, buttering his biscuit. He
did not say before Edith that he had
also narrated the story of the little girls
fright and its cause, at which Mrs.
Peeler had shaken her plump sides in
uncomfortable merriment.
While the family were at supper a
hard rain began. "Thee will not take
the child out tonight, husband, since
| lrnn oh &c ~, 60
hands?" questioned Eunice Truman,
clearing the table.
Ono. 1t will not bold off much be-
fore morning." said Joshua, with a
weather-wise air, as he put on his spec
tacles and unfolded his newspaper. So
Edith sat in Miss Lucy's lap and was
softly rocked, while she chatted of her
home in Jersey City, and of her dear
papa who had taken care of her since
her mother died, five years before. She
did not notice that Miss Lucy's clasp
frightened when she said her papa's
name was Harvey, and that he had once
lived in New Hampshire. In the mid
die of the night she woke and thought
she heard Miss Lucy crying very softly;
but as Edith stirred the sound ceased.
Maybe l imagined it," said Edith.
Next morning who should walk in,
escorted by Sam Peeler, but Mr.. Har-
vey Trask himself, who had arrived
post-haste on an early morning train,
and to whom Mrs. Peeler had given a
satisfactory explanation of the startling
telegram. And wasn't he glad to see
his little daughter, and both surprised
and glad to meet Lucy Parrish, who had
known him long ago, and who still
cherished strong friendship for him,
though they had disagreed on some
point of theology years before and had
had ga lovers quarrel"
Well, the upshot of Edith's adven-
ture was that, in few months, Miss
Lucy Parrish was installed over the
Jersey City home, and gave to the little
girl all the motherly care and affection
that she craved. AS the story-books
say, "they lived happily ever after
ward "-and it all came about through
Edith's running away from "stewed
Quaker. "-SprinUfeld Republican.
PECULIAR in the combination. prO.