The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-02-07
HIS SISTER.
BY MARY A. DENIsoN-

BY MARY A. DENIsoN,
"Robert, found the barn unfastencd
again tonight, and the rails in the cor
ner pasture down. | declare, you de.
serve to be foggcd for your careless.
nessp
"You won't fog me, STRIP said the
ooy, IN low voice. His face flushed
holly. He had been reading, his hands
on either side of his chin; now he pushed
MS book away, and sat looking doggedly
before him.
I Mercy on me-" murmured Grand
mother Macy, who sat near the table
knitting. 81 do wish Jabez wouldn,t
speak that wayw
Aunt Mary, visitor from the West.
pushed her chair with an impatient
movement further from the fire. frown-
ing little; but Bertha, Farmer Macy,s
only daughter, a girl of sixteen. looked
from her father to Robert, her cheeks
scarlet, her eyes full of tears.
'" didn't say | would fog your said
the farmer, harshly. 81 said YOU de-
served to be logged for your careless
ness, and so you do. Ever since that
money was left to you, you've seemed to
want 10 go your own way"
u will go my own way. toom NUT
tered the boy between his teeth. Bertha 8
qulck ear caught the words, and she ven.
tured to speak. O''' 'A
"Father, Robert didn't lock the harm
because John told him not to, till he
came home" W. Via n0
"oh, John told him not to, did he9
how long since John took it upon him
self to issue his orders2 l think I am
the one to be obeyed on these premises y
was the quick rejoinder, ana then the
girl was sllenced. 81 suppose John told
MN not to put up the rails, also?" the
iarlner aoded, as If unwilling to end the
John said nothing to me about that
SIMPLY forgot it." said Robert, sullenly.
"ot course you forgot it You're al.
ways forgetting. If rubber could be tied
On 10 your memory to stretch it little.
IL would be better for you. don't for.
get, II did, wonder where YOU would
Aunt Mary looked at her brother over
her spectacles. Her usually mild face
quivered with excitement.
brother" she said, in a tone of dis
may. ''0 Va o''
of course you'd take sides against
me! The boy has always been excused.
his mother made fool of him. and bis
sister ditto. By and by l shan't be al
loved to speak in my own house"
Robert threw down the book which he
nad taken up again with an angry ocs.
ture, and stalked out of the room. He
was tai, good looking boy of ighteen,
large OF ms age, and clumsy in his move.
ments: The farmer made as if he would
cali MIN back, but settled himself in his
chair again, and frowned.
The fact is, since his uncle left him
that five thousand dollars" said Farmer
Macy, "the boy hasn't leen worth his
salt to mep' '' ~ 10
30 father, you"
"silence" said the old man, testify
II tell you he is doing nothing but lone.
ing 1or the time when he is twenty one
and can put his hands on that MONEY
Castle- building and reading, that's what
neglves his time to, and me slavino like
dogm : 'Ae
ITS great pity said Aunt Mary
anu she spoke in her slow, sweet way. so
that one could hardly imagine there was
tne least touch of sarcasm in what she
SAID, that Gorge didn't leave the
money to you!"
"Eh, you think so, do you." said the
farmer, his heavy features lighting up.
LOOK what | could ha' done with five
thousand dollars-and the place needing
improvement so much Yes. even one
Thousand would set me up! And to
think OF all that money lying idle, for
Robert 10 come into, and spend as he
pleases. He'll go off as soon as he gets
it." A' eo''
THAT depends upon how YOU treat
nm, my son." said Grandma Macy.
looking up and resting her needles.
.Treat HIM" and the farmer leaned
forward, glazing at them all. Don't |
give Inn a roof and clothes and food2
Would you have me knuckle to the boy,
TO my own son, because he is coming in
to possession of little paltry moneys
A pretty father should be-"
Grandma Macy's needles clicked on.
and Aunt Mary looked thoughtfully at
the fire. The old fashioned clock that
had licked in its ancient corner for over
seventy years struck nine.
Bertha had slipped out of the room,
gone through the kitchen, and up the
back stairs. The wind was rising. and
the rain, which had just begun to fall.
drove heavily against the window panes
on the upper landing. The girl moved
swiftly down the narrow passage in the
dark, toward door at the further end,
through the keyhole of which came q
faint light. Here she stopped, and tried
the latch of the door. it did not lei
her in.
''Robert!" she called. Robert"
"What is it, Bertha. l can't come
down again, and I'D rather te alone. y
but want to speak to you. Oh,
Robert, won't you let me in2''
TITS no use; won't come down.
mo, you needn't; Nobody has sent
for you. II Just wanted to see your
"Well, here / am" and the dool
opened suddenly, SO that the girl who
was leaning against it almost fell into
the room. she recovered herself, how
ever, and stood there looking at hel
brother with pitifu eyes.
II wish / knew what to do" she
said, and ended with a long-drawr
sigh.
81 know what to do" was the boy.
rejoined, and he set his mouth sternly
30 that there was in his face curious
resemblance to the old man downstairs
"You won't do anything wrong
Robert. know you WON'T" she said
clasping her hands. I'm sure fathe
means to do everything for the best. Trl
not to mindin
II do try. / have tried, but it's no use
Think can't seel Father is mad be
cause that money is coming to me. in
stead of him. wish Uncle George hat
never left it to me; could have go