Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-01-09
DECINf,S BLACh''S GRA.ND.
CITILDREN.

q
CIfILDREN
Two children - said Decimus Black.
Coming here won't have 'em-and
there's the end of it.
Mr. Black stood on the red brick hearth
in front Of the big wood fire. in an attitude
Of the intensest anmosity, an open letter
in his hand. frown darkening his rugged
face.
Mrs. Black paused in her occupation Of
stocking mending-a panied expression
passed over her to-worn lineaments.
But they are your own sons children,
Decimus" she pleaded. And their grand
ma on their mothers side is dead, and there
amt no one to care for EN- at Hills Hollow. -
We'll cant help that, retorted the
old man, setting his yellow teeth together
DO the Hills Hollow folks think | keep
free tavern don't like children. never
did When John James married and had
a family he didn't consult me-and / amt
goin to support 'em want that clearly
understood At my age can't have chill
dren racketing about the house brought
up John James and Esther Armand that's :
all eau be expected Of me ~
Mrs Blacks countenance fell In her
secret mind she had all the morning been
planning what room John James's orphans
should have, how she would unpack sundry
broken toys that she had kept in a chest in
the garret--sole relics of the only child she
ever had had-for their behoof, and what a
CLEAN of sunshine their presence would
bring into the silent dreary house They
we're no kith nor kin Of her, being the
grandchildren of Decimus's first wife, vet
her heart warmed to them with longing
tenderness.
1T seems most a pity, said she, mot
to"
I'VE won't argey the question no furder, -
said Black, sharply Il amt goin to hev
of it q"
But, father, they're on the way here
already ="
Then they'll hev to be on the way back
that's all, afore they're twenty four hours
older.
And Decimus Black went out Five min
utes later the ring of his axe at the wood
pile sharp and sudden, gave the keynote to
his mood of stern resolve.
is this the house, Kitty Z" said little
johnny Black. as the stage driver helped
him out Of the creaking old vehicle Does
grandpa live here oh, dear, do hope
there's IA good fire because I'm so frozen
cold ''
The elder sister mite Of ten. stood on
tiptoe to sound the knocker, while little
Johnny chung TO her, with one hand on the
tattered carpet sack that contained their
earthly stores.
Amt there no one there - faltered he
81 don't know said Kitty. I'm knock
again
/ Still no answer came Mrs. Black va,
out feeding her chickens in the barnyard
and old Decimus was performing his nightly
task Of milking in the safe shelter Of tn,
COW stable As it happened, he was the
first 10 reenter the house and confront the
little creatures, who were still patiently
waiting on the doorstep.
"Eh :" said he who be you -
We're John aud Catherine, said tn,
girl We couldn't make any one hear
Please are you our Grandpa Black e
The old man peered up the road.
Stage gone = said he
YES. sir, =" Kitty answered, shivering
oval it stops at the tavern an hour t
change hosses and give the passengers thei
supper You 90 arter tits only half
mile-and tell the driver to take you bacl
on the night trip to where you come from.
Amt we to stay here y hesitated Kitty
no said Decimns, you amt. w
dou't want no children here. Come, star
on-it'll be dark pretty soon
And by way of terminating matters h
shut the door in their faces and went bac
into the house with a grim chuckle
It's a good thing Betsey wasn't here,
said he to himself Shed a-been dead sur
to hev made a fuss, Women hain't n
judgment nor discretion.
Half dozen rods down the road Regin
Whelpley, the village schoolmistress, cam
upon two forms crouching among the dea
leaves it, the angle of the old stone wall.
mercy upon us ~ said she with a littl
start who is this .
Aud with tears aud tribulation the chi
dren told their story
Regina was a tall, straight girl, wit
eyes as black as Goals, a rosy color, and
true, womanly heart.
Its shame ~ said she Two littl
helpless creatures like you But every on
knows that when Decilnus Black makes u
his mind there amt no softening hin
Hush there he goes now
She drew the children back into tn
shadow as the old man trudged past, tn
visor of his old fur cap pulled over his eyes
his hands thrust down deep into his pockets
All three drew long breath of relief whe
he was gone.
Look here, " said kind Regina. I'D tax
you in myself if | had home but hav
none. I'm only country school teacher
boarding around One thing is very Gel
tain, though-you cant go any farther tC
night I'm boarding my week with you
Grandma Black now. know she'll let m
take you into my room there, and we ca
fix up some sort of bed there for on
night at least. Your Grandma Black, she
human Christian and not a heathe
sphinx ~ setting her lips closely together
Come, don't cry any more, little boy. /
take care of you"
Mrs. Blacks amazement at the sight {
Miss Whelpley's leading child by eithe
hand on her kitchen threshold may easil
be imagined. At the piteous tale she bur,
into tears.
"Oh, Miss Regina, said she, what al
I to do He says
Never mind what he says curtly il
terrupted the girl I'VE can't let thes
two poor little creatures perish of cold thi
bitter March night because he hasn't an
heart As to getting to the tavern befor
the stage starts, they cannot do it. AnC
after all, what would become of them q
Tue hlhNl Nhh VI luuNe NJ III
Black, wen give 'em a good supper {
warm bread and milk, and fix 'em bed i
my room tonight And if your husban
finds it out and scolds you, why you ma
just tell him it was my fault I'm nc
afraid of him, if you are. And to-morro'
wen consider what il is best to do next. II
Thus relieved 10 certain extent, of th
responsibility. old Mrs Black set to wor
with glad and pitying heart to warm an
feed the two poor little children, and di
not rest until she had seen them snugl
asleep on oor-bed in the corner of Reg
mas small apartment,
1T don't seem as if | could ever let 'el
go again, Miss Whelpley, said the old won
an, wiping her spectacle glasses. But yo
don't know what it is TO he married"
"No, ] don't said Regina, laughnl
"But never mind, Mrs Black, two swel
children like this will he sure to find hon
some " here
Old Decimus came home at the usui
hour from his chat at the village store
Mrs Black looked at him guiltily as
entered
IT'S a snoWin', said he "snowin' hard