The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-04-30
THE LITTLE BLUE BEDsTEAD.

III r. Little BLUE DEOohI
When Grandmother Warner came to
make her half-yearly visits at the san
fords there was always a jubilee. Such
treasures as came ont of her old-fash-
ioned wooden chest were never bestowed
on grandchildren SINCE the world began,
according to the opinion the two little
Sanfords. Edna and Patience, aged ten
and eight. They would stand with
chubby hands behind their blue ging-
ham backs, their round black eyes grow
| ing rounder and blacker as they gazed
and their brown braids switching from
side to side of their short, fat necks In
their excitement, while Grandmother
Warner disclosed, according to the sea
son, big red apples, butternuts, maple
sugar, Easter eggs, popcorn, ginger
bread, home made picture-books, KNIT
dolls and other Inexpensive and Dliss-
awakening articles.
The Sanfords lived just on the edge OF
village, but Grandmother Warner lVed
in 'the real woodsy county" as Patience
called it. One bright autumn morning
she looked particularly smiling and mys-
| terious, as the children followed her up
to her room by invitation. Her chest
had been delayed on the road, and Cyrus
Springer, the hired man, had gone to
town for it with Brown Peg and the
Fiery Chariot. Brown Peg was the fam
lily steed, and the Fiery Chariot was the
family wagon. Cyrus had painted it one
day with some flaming orange paint lett
from the barn doors. He said he "dldn, t
think the paint ought to be wasted.
On general principles he was right.
Mrs. Sanford was n widow, and left
good many things to Cyrus. The
family lived in hope that the bright
color would fade as time and the wagon
wheels rode on.
"Now," said grandmother, pausing
impressively before she raised the lid,
"tlere is something in this chest that
can only be for one of you, because Uncle
lothian hadn't time to make two. 1t is
for the best girl, and your mother says
that Edna is the tidiest about her work,
but that Patience has the kindest way OF
speaking. | think Patience will have to
e-the-little-b e-blue-bedstead.
As she slowly uttered the last words
she drew from the chest the most en-
chanting dolls bedstead made of good
stout hickory, and stained a brilliant
blue. Its Stats were movable, and its
headboard rudelv carved to represent
cberub's heads and wings.
Little Patience grew rosy with delight.
Almost afraid to touch her treasure, she
kneeled on the ground before it without
speaking, her chubby arms folded, and
the color deepening on her checks.
Edna's brow darkened as she gazed
She scarcely noticed, the bright scarlet
mittens and the bag of butternut taify
that foil to her share. There was tre-
mendous ''hy in her ointment" a fly
with four big stiff blue wooden legs in
stead of the customary agile six.
Grandmother Warner saw, but wisely
held her peace. "JOtham will make one
for her tOo-if time shows that she de-
serves it," was her mental comment, as
she went into an inner room to hang up
some clothing.
Patience glanced up and saw her
sisters gloomy face. She sprang up
from the floor and put her arms around
Edna.
at shall be yours just as much as
mine. Edna. There's plenty of room in
it for 10th our doh es. We car make
some sheets and pillOw-cases right away;
if mother will let us rummage in the
pieCe-bag."
But the feeling that had entered Edna's
soul was not to be charmed away by that
sweet childish voice. She jerked her
self impatiently away. You can make
your old sheets and things yourself. Do
you supp oie I'm going to sew things for
bcdstead that isn't mine?n
Patience began to cry softly; I'D
give it all to you. Edna, to be for your
very one, hut it isn't polite to give away
present" E" .,
"Oh. yes. that's good excuse" ="
sneered Edna, who seemed almost
beside herself with envy. 81 wouldn't
have it if you gave it to me fifty times
over"
She ran out of the room while poor lit
tie Patience rocked tearfully back and
forth in the rocker that belonged in
grandma's S room, till that lady hustled in
lgain for more clothes.
"Hoity- -toity, what makes my precious
eN eS so red? | thought the little bedsteaC
would make You the happiest girl in
Rockaway County"
81 wish Uncle Jonathan had had tint
to make one for Edna, too, said Patience
wiping her eyes.
'Ho, hO! is that it? Well, who knowi
but he will some day?' and the busy
dame bent over the chest for anothe
armful of petticOats and gowns.
Patience carried the bedstead into tho
plav-room, then went down to che kitchel
TO help her mother and Christina New
leone, the German help. Her heart wa
full. and she could not trust herself Il
sneak of the beautiful present She wa
very quiet all day, and slipped off to bee
early with her little candle. Before sh
undressed, however, she prepared
lcurious document, by means of a lea
torn from an old book, and a much
chewed pencil. After this labor she san
into heavy unnatural sleep.
Grandmother Warner had had he
beauty nap" and was in pecullarl
wakeful state. She tossed and turne
and beat up her pillow, but all to n
purpose.
nv sumner again, no matter what til
rest do" she muttered. Then sll
. ldropped into an uneasy doze, an
dreamed that little Patience was ON
wide river, floating in the dolls bee
stead, and that she held out her arms
be saved with pitiful cry.
Grandmother woke with the cry stl
: in her ears. Harkl 1t came again, an
4 this tlTle Sllc WAS SuItl1 uub hlO'lhllll
Her room was near the children's S and
two minutes she was standing
her night-gown by their bed. Patien'
was moaning and tossing her arms.
| 81 am so sorry, Edna, she cried;
am so sorry"
Grandmother laid her hand on I'll
Ichild's forehead. "She's burning I
with fever, and she didn't eat any frit
cucumbers. Louisa must make SON
fever tea for her."
''In short time GRANDMOTHER Warm
had reused her daughter, and Edn
l hearing the voices, rubbed her sleel
ewes. and stared about her in blinkil
surprise.
,h 'You little sister is very sick, +" sa
S; her grandmother as sternly as her natu
! would allow. "DO you remember Inc
- ugly you were to her about the lit
, bedstead?n
] Edna began TO whimper. Her moth
4 and grandmother were busy with the !
> tie sick girl. Cyrus hitched up and we
3 for the doctor, while Christina tumbl
. around in everybOdy's way under pl
49,. e