The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-09-24
Selected Storp.
Met Together.

1t was the middle of the hot July after
noon, and Anne Hayden, with a dull
ache in her head and sense of irrita-
BILE hurry down to the tips of her fingers,
did not offer very gracious welcome
to the sight-seers as they came to
standstiH beside her.
"She did not seem quite pleased
with things in general" was the light
comment of one of the young ladies of
the party as they moved on, made in
what she thought low tone amid the
roar of the machinery, but caught readily
enough by Anne's accustomed ears.
1t made her blood boil, and she looked
darkly after them, with a bitter sense
of contrast filing her mind. 1t was a
pity that she did not hear the answer
which the other girl visitor made to
her friend.
90 She must be tired, poor thing, this
hot day." she said. 81 am afraid if
were 1, should be sorely tempted to
think things in general very much
amiss, when things in particular were
so uncomfortable"
emo, you would not" answered the
other affectionately, "your habit OF
mind is to consider every necessity in
the light of luxury; l never knew
more graceful submitter to the lnevita-
ble."
But my inevitables and hers have
been a little different, think. "
So Anne thought, and the thought
made the long afternoon longer, and
the close air closer, and the distasteful
work more irksome.
"Why have they so much and | so
little?" she asked herself, with feeling
of helpless revolt against her lot. Why
must work while they play? And then
they laugh at it and think it is funny
that l am not satisfied. l hate them |
hate everything hate myself. Why
can never get rid of myself, but must
think out the same old thoughts over
and over, like one of these hateful
wheels, till they sicken me?"
At this last impatient question, she
gave her thread jerk, which broke 1t,
aud drew upon her sharp reprimand
from the foreman. Meanwhile the
other two girls and their aunt, having
said good-by to their entertainers, were
driving rapidly over the country roads
to look at the various points of interest
in the neigbborhood of the little town
WHele lnoy NOl0 " oP0hu th0 heAV ~"
m )nths.
after that big, Gathering place." said
Emily Howard, the one of the two
whose careless speech had given Anne
so much offense, though we thought
ourselves very warm, indeed, on the
drive there in the first place. Such is
the advantage of comparison"
I" wish all the poor hands were out
picnicking under the trees some
where" said Agnes Bryson; "we could
enjoy our own good time so much more
then"
"But how about payday" said Mrs.
Howard; 81 am afraid the picnics
would interfere with its pleasures very
seriously"
"The next best thing" added En-
lily, I" in the present state of affairs, to
having nothing to do, being to have a
great deal"
81 am glad that the present state of
affairs will not last forever" said
Agnes.
9" 1 expect that it will outlast my time,
at least" said Mrs. Howard.
"She was referring to heaven,
think, aunt" explained Emily; Gag
mes always has the most casual way of
speaking of the other world, as if it
was Just round in the next block from
her. 1t used to starte me at first, but
when you get accustomed to her meth
DDS they seem quite reasonable. Per-
haps it is Just as well, you know, to
form the habit of remembering that
what goes on here and what goes on
hax oil inn tn do ooh
other; l think we forget the connec-
ton very often. l do. l feel as if
heaven were all settled and arranged
for and far off somewhere in front and
to one side, and the more l put it out
of mind and fix my thoughts on some
thing else the sooner it would come,
like Christmas, and morning, and some
other things. But under Agnes in
structions, really hope | am begin
ming to regulate everyday matters OF
choice with an eve to what will furnish
the house nicely when l go to live in
the New Jerusalem"
Aunt Howard looked at her niece as
though in doubt whether to be shocked
or not.
"This is not meant for fippancy,'
said Emily, shaking her head. "The
more l get of the feeling the more rev
erent am toward the little humdrun
virtues and duties; it makes them lool
bigger. And then, besides, if you dom
mind my talking just little longer
you will get accustomed to that, too
presently-speaking of heaven gets the
idea more before the public. l believe
in canvassing; if people were only
brisker about it more of the heavenly
mansions would be taken. But wha
were you going to say, Agnes? thinl
l interrupted you"
81 can't get that mill girls face on
of my head" said Agnes; " she LOOKED
so tired, mind and body"
"Poor thing, wish we could hell
her."
"Of course you do; you wish to hell
everybody. But how would you Sc
about it for instance?"
"Don't be discouraging. How do
know yet?"
"That is not discouraging, it is merel
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