Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-02-13
stlonth's Column.
Grandma's Encounter with a
Bugbear.

sAfraid to 60 upstairs in the
dark 20 said Bob Morris; elf that
isn't Just like a GIRL Now that 5
what call downright silly !"
Poor Betty's lip began to culver,
and grandma, seeing there was about
to be a shower, said:
swell, now, children, that re-
minds me of story"
Frowns and tears alike disappear
ed as the children gathered around
grandmother's chair in delighted an
ticipation, and SO she began:
ssWhen l was little girl | was
very foolish and silly-indeed, a
great deal more so than Betty-and
the evening was a time of great
trial to me- My brothers and Sis
tiers were a great deal older than l..
And we were no sooner gathered
around the fire in the evening, than
they would begin to say: 20 SIS
run up and get me some corn to pop,
Bring me my slippers little one,
or Run down and get me some APP
pies, there's a good girl - l was
an obliging little thing, and had not
the heart to refuse, and so | would
90 in fear and trembling, and come
running back pale and breathless :;
a. Il
ret, long shadowy hall and bedroom
had their terrors for me.
81 had never told my fears to
any one, for my mother was too
busy to have much time to talk
quietly with me and as for my broth
ers and sisters, they would have
laughed at my troubles.
That dear old kitchen! l can re-
member just how pleasant it looked
in the winter evenings.
My mother usually sat knitting
or sewing by the light of candle
at little stand, and the children
gathered around the hearth, popping
corn, eating butternuts, roasting APP
pies, and telling stories.
To all this l was obliged to say
farewell at seven o'clock precisely.
Our bedrooms never knew the warmth
of a fire, and the bare, painted floors
were only covered here and there
with a strip of rag-carpeting for
rug. Having said my prayers at
my mothers knee, l bounded up the
narrow stairway by the faint light
from below, and sprang into bed.
The door was left open little
crack until ] was supposed to be
asleep, then it closed, and all COM
munication was cut off. Children
have their trials and discipline as
well as grown people.
sAnd the door was shut For
many years / never heard that por-
ton of the parable of the foolish
virgins without a vivid picture of
that fireside with all light and
warmth, and the cold sense of ban
ishment coming over me as then.
About this time / read a story
which took strong hold of my
fancy. do not remember the title,
but it was about a boy who was
naturally timid and who determined
to overcome his foolish fears and be
very brave. The way in which his
hobgoblins melted into thin air, or
proved to be some old familiar OBJ
jects seen in a new light when he
marched up to them, was very anus
ing and encouraging. This story
made a deep impression upon me,
and / resolved not to be outdone by
this boy.
j now began to discipline myself
to go about alone in the dark, and
if 1 saw anything which looked mys
FERROUS, to go boldly up to and exam
inc it.
There was a closet opening out of
my room, and one night, after / had
gone to bed, / saw that the door was
open, and just inside there seemed
to be standing tall, queer-shaped
old woman. Though / was very
much frightened, l hesitated but a
moment, then jumped up and ran
toward the closet, thinking, what
ever she might be, l would slam the
door in her face, and shut her in !;
but as | came near, ] saw that my
old woman was nothing but big,
portly rag-bag hanging from nail :;
over this hung stiff log cabin sun
bonnet with long cape, and be-
meath the bag protruded an old pair
of boots.
Many laugh did my brothers and
sisters have over my 'old woman,
when told them about her. Tom
named her Mrs. Tripit,' and said
'he thought she was remarkably
well developed for lady who fed
entirely upon ''cold pieces.
A few experiences like this gave
me great courage, but the worst was
vet to come. One warm summer
night had been out to play with a
friend, and coming home late, had
gone to bed very tired. 1t must
have been in the middle of the night
that l awoke with a start-perhaps
from a bad dream-and saw a tall,
white object at my bedside, In the
dim starlight l could not exactly
distinguish the outlines, but it would
advance and recede, and then stand
still. 1t was a mysterious appear
ance, and well calculated to brighten
N child and fret irop,lCa x-ac