The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-04-22
Selected Storp.
The Pot OF Gold at the End OF the
Rainbow.


Mothers cryingl Mothers cryingw
1t was about year ago that sorrow
came into our happy lives. Father
died suddenly and life had been changed
to us ever since. But were young and
strong; the dear old home was ours
still; mothers pale face had frightened
somewhat; and so, we were gay and
happy that afternoon in spite of our
sorrow. Mothers crying" insisted
Rob.
Well, we won't let her cry any
more" said Hope, as she caught Rob
in her arms and danced out of the room.
followed more slowly, looking back
at the room that had been ours so many
years. | can see it now; the pretty
buff paper, the white shades with blue
borders, the blue carpet with its worn
place by the west window; our two low
chairs and the bue-covered table beside
them; our shelf of books with dear
fathers face above them; and beyond,
framed in by the window, that beauti-
full winding river with its background
of hills.
l crossed the hall to mothers room,
and found Hope kissing the tears off
the sweet face while she read letter
mother held in her hand. Rob leaned
on mothers knee, watching her with
curious eyes, while Rich on the lounge
by the window turned his pale, irritable
face towards me as l enterd.
"What is it, mother darling?'
said, holding out my hand for the
letter.
1t was a short, business letter, yet l
puzzled over it long time.
i don't understand it, mother" l
said.
81 don't either, Iris. Something is
wrong"
"But how could it have been over
looked so long, mother?"
{" You see, dear, Mr.. Sumner says he
found the record in looking over his
fathers papers, after his DEATH"
But, mother" l said, studying
those few lines as if my life depended
on finding some hidden meaning in
them, " but, mother, can we pay it?"
81 think so, Iris; but there will be
very little left"
"That will suit Iris" sneered Rich;
"she always thought she was cut out
for heroine"
But did not heed him. Suddenly,
as though scales had fallen from my
eyes, saw the future; my delicate,
petted mother, a sickly brother, and
sturdy little Rob, all dependent on me,
with Hope to help; sweet Hope, who
never failed to follow any path l sug-
gested. My easy, careless girlhood
seemed to drop from me, and l was a
woman, facing the world with brave
heart out of love for those weak ones.
" But that's not the worst of it, Iris"
mother said. "You see, Mr.. Sumner
says it was trust funds father held in
his hands, which there is no evidence
that he ever returned. 1t is more than
poverty, it means dishonor."
NV bravery was gone in a moment,
and instead of facing the world, hid
my face in my mothers lap. The very
foundation seemed taken from under
my feet. My father! how proud had
been to call him so! How every one
honored him, with never the faintest
breath of suspicion against him. How
many sacred trusts were put into his
clean hands without thought of risk.
How many, many times had he carried
the burden for the widowed and the
fstherless without recompense or re-
ward.
go, motherl" l sobbed, it can't be
true" Mother answered with light
in her face | had never seen there be-
fore. "If father could speak, 1 know
it would be all right; but how can we
make the world believe it?"
Mothers confidence and the clinging
touch of her hands nerved me anew,
and | was ready with the hopefulness
of Youth n do hattla for NV fo;tb
"Don't be troubled, mother, said
cit will all come right. l wasn't named
Iris for nothing, I'll find the pot of
gold at the end of the rainbow yet"
And L, too" laughed Hope; with
Iris and Hope in one family, we can't
help being Fortunate"
elf your names are such misfits as
mine," said Rich, " they won't be worth
much to you"
Poor Rich! the bitterness that dwell,
in his heart toward the Maker of his
dwarfed body, he vented on those
whose strong health and gay spirits
were more of contrast than he coult
bear. The very riches of the mine
which compensated for bodily defects
he perverted, welding his keen sarcasm
till he had alienated all our hearts blu
mothers.
"The backwater's coming in mighty
fast, ma'am," said hearty voice at thu
door as it opened, and let in the broad
figure and smiling face of our goo(
Celeste, :" want to 90 down and see it
Master Rob?" and Celeste's ample
shoulders were lowered for Rob, whc
departed triumphant, kissing his hant
over the gay turban.
We hurried to the window and looked
out 1t had rained steadily for two o
three days, melting the unusual mas
of snow that lay on the hills. All thu
low-lying lands were covered, and thu
water was rising fast; but we wer,
used to the floods that often troubled
our little city, doing small damage, ant
felt only faint interest, our hearts to-
full of the future we were trying Il
look into.
The twilight darkened around us
Celeste and Rob came back, gaily talk
ing, while the room frightened unde
the influence of ROb's SUNNY face. AM