The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-07-31

II uOb HUSH W lu6 ltCtt
but she made quick haste to avail her
self of the permission lest it should be
withdrawn.
Her "heart was in her mouth" how
ever, as she drew near the parsonage
gate; and, not venturing to 90 up the
front steps, she made her way timidly
around to the kitchen door.
1t stood wide open, for it was a mild
afternoon, and the range was all in a
glow; and, as good luck would have it,
Jane was not there, and it was Mrs. Old
ham herself who was taking out the pies
that sent forth such fragrant, spicy
smell. She looked up with smile as the
little maid appeared in the doorway, and
said:
swell, what's the good word with Miss
Skureman to-day?'
miss Skureman didn't send me,
ma'am,n answered Belinda, getting red
and stammering as usual 81 come of
my own accord. wanted to bring''-
and then she stopped, and held out her
little parcel in bashful silence.
Something for me9 Why, isn't that
nice of you?'-in surprise, and opening
the bundle. "An iron-holder, of all
things And what a very pretty onei
Why, child, how did you happen to hit
upon just what I'm always wanting?"
81 heard what you was sayin' that day
at the Sciety, and wanted to make you
one. But s'pose all the others is deal
nicer than NINE"
Gan the others! Why, Belinda, you're
the only one that remembered that nom
sense of minel And think it was ever
so nice and kind of you, too. It's the
first Christmas gift I've had, and l prize
it so shan't let Jane burn it out; 1 shall
just keep it for any little pressing out
that l may want to do myself.
Belinda's bosom swelled with such
pride and delight at this, that her little
scant frock felt tighter than before. All
she could say, was:
"Ohl" and then, a minute after,
"Might l please see the baby, just for
minute, maam?h
''Why, certainly" said baby's mother,
pleased in her turn. "You remember the
baby, then? He's asleep on the sofa in
the sitting-room. l laid him there so 1
could hear him in the kitchen, for 1 had
to send Jane out on an errand. You can
go right in and look at him-I can't leave
my pies-but try and not wake him,
please"
Belinda stole noiselessly into the room,
but as she knelt softly over the couch,
King Baby opened his great blue eyes,
and graciously condescended to smile
upon her.
Then ensued a merry frolic, and when
Mrs. Oldham, hearing the cooling and
Growing and prattling laughter, away out
in the Kitchen, could not resist coming
in to see them, she broke out impulsively:
"Oh, do wish | could have you al
ways, Belinda, to help me take care of
him! He does take to you so very nicely.
But of course L wouldn't wish to rob
Miss Skureman-"
sob, but Miss Skureman doesn't want
me, ma amp cried Belinda, jumping up,
and her eyes getting quite big and wild
with ecstacy at the bare idea. 'She al
ways says she only keeps me to save me
from the Sylum, and that 1 amt worth
my salt, and oh, wish you would take
me, Mrs. Oldham! don't like to live
with Miss Skureman, and would love to
have this dear little baby to mind. I'd
take orful good care of him, ma'am!"
ooh, is that the way of it?" said tho
minister's wife, thoughtfully. II should
certainly like to have you, Belinda, but l
must speak to Mr.. Oldham first, and see
Miss Skureman. couldn't do anything
that wasn't fair and open, you know. But
I'll see about it just as soon as Christmas
is over"
Poor Belindal She had a hard week
of it. Miss Skureman wasfurious at the
thought of losing her faithful little maid
of all work, but she was too proud to
say so.
'MIis Oldham was welcome, for all
her, to such an ungrateful, good-for-
nothing little minx!"
She ''took it out of her," however,
while she 'staid her year OUT" but Be-
linda bore it bravely, comforting herself
with the thought of the blissful ending
so near at hand.
The first of January saw her installed
in the pretty parsonage nursery; and for
the first time in her life, she felt that
there might be some meaning for her,
too, in the oft-repeated phrase:
swish you a Happy New YearP