The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-03-20

rpputation for scholarly polish and
raceful wit. which had reached even
~ Brookbridge. In our New England
villages, the cooks are often esthetic, land
he hired men critics, and everybody
was talking Of the lecture.
Cant | goI" said Natty Purple. "Oh,
wish could go !"
| The towels and tablecloths were all
bleached whittier than snow, between the
,asied grass and the July sunshine. and
Natty was sprinkling and folding them
ow, with quick, deft fingers in an OBJ
scure corner of the kitchen,
You go indeed T. said Mics Carrie
Podham, who condescended to wait al
sble during the crowded s.ason,
You've too much TO do in the kitchen,
nd besides the tickets are fifty cents
each p
Natty Purple sighed dolorously.
| "Fifty cents T. she repeated. "Oh,
hen of course it's out of the question !!
For Nalty's slender wages were all of
hem expended in the support OF good
lor-not hing old grandsire who, when he
was not drinking great deal too much
whiskey, was suffering undeard OF
agonies with rheumatism. She never
wore anything but calico, and drudged
away iD the in the inn kitchen like a
modern Cinderella, without any of the
ecldt which, in ancient story, apper-
tanned to that young person.
But later in the evening, the head
sta bleman looked into the kitchen where
Cinderella was darnIng a well.worn Ia
Dle napkin, and Mrs. Pudham was pre-
pairing brook trout for breakfast for the
murrow's early travellers.
Where's Jim ?" said the head stable
man.
Gone out" said Mrs. Podham, curtly.
Il want some one to row one of the
hoarders out on the lake" said the stable
man. Hes pictur painter, guess.
He wants moonlight effects, he says
with chuckle) I'D a deal ruther hev
Gather pillow effects, myself. Then
where is Dick p
Dicks never on band when he's
wanted" Mrs. Podham replied. Il have
not seen HIM since supper"
Then he'll lose fifty cent job" said
the stabeman. We'll, I s'pose l can
hunt up some one, somewhere"
FIFTY cents !" cried Matte Purple,
bringing to her feet. "I'llgo, Thomas
I'm handy with the oars, and I'm just
perishiug for breath of cool air from
he water"
Them napkins isn't mended,' u
croaked Mr. Podhap, discouragingly.
I'm finish 'em when l come back, y
laid Narty coaxingly. "Do let me 60
just this once !"
81 that when Mr.. Gessner came out to
he edge of the lake with his picturesque
Spanish cloak thrown across one shoul-
der and his sketching apparatus under
his arm, Natly Purple sat in the boat
ready to row him whittier he would go
Halo ! said Paul. why, you're a
girl |"
yes, I'm girl" apologetically con-
iessed Natty. But I'm good hand tn
:, W and know all about the lake.
can take you straight to Echo Cove,
where the water lilies grow thickest, and
past the Old Indian Rock, and"
agreed, said Paul, good-hunioredly.
"But was there no man about the place
20 undertake this disagreeable job 7"
"Oh. it isn't disagreeable," said Natty
earnestly. II like 10 row! And, be-
.ides, do so much want to earn fifty
cents
DO your" said Paul, as the little boat.
propelled by Nattys skillful strokes.
vanished into the deep shadow OF the
overhanging birches that fringed the
lovely tides. MAY l venture to ask
why ?"
"Oh, yes," eaid Natty "It's no secret
| want to 20 to the lecture tomorrow
night"
Paul Gessner smiled to himself in the
moonlight, as he sat there like Spanish
gondoller.
"Do you suppose it will be so very in
teresting p said he.
Interesting |" echoed Natty. "0l
course it will be. Haven't you heard
Mr.. Gessner il to deliver a lecture on the
Literature of Queen Anne's rime."
"And who is Mr.. Gessner2' demanded
the young man.
"lf you don't read the magazines, oI
course you can't be expected to know
aid Natty Purple, with some natura
mpatience. But l have read every
thing he writes. He is stopping al ouI
place now, they tell me-"
"Is he p said Paul "You are The
landlady's daughter, presume 7"
mo. am not" acknow lodged honest
Nalty IL help in the kitchen. l an
N ialir Purple.
We'll, then, to be honest with you
Miss Purple" said Paul, really feeling 1
sting of conscience, Il am Paul Gees.
ner r.
Natty gave such start that the boa
carpened dangerou-ly TO one side.
you r' abe cried.
YES, Now IL you will take m'
safe to the Echo Cove, l will give you {
complimentary ticket. So, there |"
NO" said Matte, with true womanly
pride. 81 accept no favOrs even thouR
| am nothing but working girl: II
am 10 have ticket at all, l prefer Il
earn IL.
Paul was silent. In truth and in fact
he felt a little ashamed in the presence
of The flute voiced, independent young
beauty.
You must have read a great deal,
-sid he ~ lat.
'Ohl have" said Natty. 1--WE are
not so busy in winter, you see; and be-
sides all the glrls lend me their newspa
u. rs and magazines. But / never tx
Dect, to zee a gentleman who wrote
books"
Il hope he comes up to your exPecta'
tiOn." said Paul.
81 must have time to make up my
mind about that" said Natty, with all
z, cd faith.
And once again our hero found him
self at loss for something to say.
But when he came uut into the moon
hathed glories Of the Z 'bo Cove. where
all The world was stepped in silver soft
ness and the matted masses OF water
lilies were swinging to and fro on the
tides like emerald carpets, his tongue
was loosened once sggin, and before
they came back he and and Naity Pur.
pie were on terms Of the pleasantest ac-
quaintsnceship.
But he had not sketched half as much
as he had expected.
gsTha liUht wac 80 uncertain " he aaid