The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-11-04
THE BENNINGTON BANNER, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1892
!. With a sigh his mother

place afforded. With a sigh his mother
looked after him.
The next morning, Mrs. Mardon, busy
as usual in the kitchen, was startled by
the appearance of the boarder. a 81
II intended to get up to breakfast, but
oversight. am not used to early morn
ing hours. If you don't mind Ill take
q bowl of bread and milk. No, nothing
else."
In few moments Miss Desiree was
costly established on the back porch, the
baby by her side. Very fresh and pretty
she looked in her morning gown, he1
fluffy bang blown and ruffled by the soft
breeze her eyes aglow and faint color
in her fair cheeks
81 have finished my breakfast now and
with your permission 1 will take baby
with me in the orchard"
The permission was readily given, Mrs
Mardon wondering meanwhile if this was
onlya freak or desire to relieve her
from the child's care.
In a week Desiree Colburn had made
friends with all the members of the
household. Simple and unaffected in
manner, her sunny disposition made a
welcome addition to the family.
MRS. Mardon you must grant me one
favor to-day" she said, appearing in the
kitchen one sultry morning, the second
week after her arrival.
what is itP" with faint attempt at
a smile. The headache, which since
dawn had racked the housekeeper's
temples, seemed to grow more painful
each hour.
''Please go into the sitting room and
lie down on the sofa. l have darkened
it and put plenty of pillows where you
can rest till your headache is over"
| "Oh, but can't think of such thing.
The work is to be done, the dinner to get.
1t would never do"
to be done. 1t will be pleasant change
for me-"
you get dinner?" with an incredu-
lous glance at the white jewoled fingers.
Eyes; l assure you that | am an ex-
cellent cook. Ieally am determined to
have my own way in this matter, so you
might as well make up your mind to
rest for short time"
So with many misgivings Mrs. Mardon
went to the sitting room, and Desiree
tripped lightly around the room on
household tasks intent.
But the dinner was well cooked, and
refreshed by her much needed rest, Mrs.
MardOn sat in the low rocker by the
kitchen door, her hands occupied with
mending, when Meta came home with the
announcement:
''There is going to be picnic at Long
Grove. Where is Miss Colburn?"
"Out in the orchard, l think. She was
kind enough to get dinner to-day because
had a headache. She is dear thought
full girl"
why, how strange! / never dreamed
that she knew how to do anything of the
kind"
Meta made her way to the orchard and
announced the picnic.
Yes, it will be very nice; we shall all
enjoy it, Imagine. 1t will be fine
change for your mother; she looks as if
she needed recreation"
'MotberP Why, she never goes to pic
nics!" And Meta looked her astonish-
ment.
"Why not?" with smile.
"Well, she doesn't care to go-that is
don't think she would care to go. she
is always busy you know" said Meta
with some confusion.
~ know she Is busy, but we can all
help her more than we have done. Many
hands make light work, you know, and
| am sure she will enjoy going"
but mother is so set in. hsL idsps
There will he a nnrah-- "a PooPlo CheIe'
and sho novOr wants me to go with any
body, she is so strict"
my good times are always shared with
my mother; l should not enjoy them I'M
less they were.'
If Meta admired anyone it certainly
was Desiree Colburn, and it was with a
glad heart that Mrs. MaTdon listened to
her daughters invitations; from whence
it was inspired she knew.
In the busy days which followed, Meta
and Lizzie were brought to see their self
ishness toward their patient mother and
this was accomplished so quietly by the
example and well chosen words of the
guest they hardly knew how they came
to a realization of their errors.
The picnic passed pleasantly. Miss
Colburn joined in the different games,
and it was tired but happy group who
took their way hOmeward.
'Well, did you enjoy the picnicp" was
the question Desiree asked when she was
alone with Meta.
81 never had so good time in my
life"
"Then your pleasure was not marred
by your mothers presence.
"Oh, Miss Colburn, l suppose you
think 1 am the most selfish girl in the
WOTlu. lGtl dSudhCu WHICH L
how treated mother"
''Notso very selfish, but little thought
less, perhaps. Time yet to make amends,
Meta"
The summer passed all too soon. Lit
tie by little Steve's attention was at
tracted by what was going on during the
home evenings. The evenings at the
store were given up, to his mothers de-
light A library society was formed and
the young man became a member. A
fresh impetus was given to reading and
study among the young people, and when
years after, Desiree Colburn heard Steve
Mardon, then successful lawyer, declare
that he owed his success in life to her
encouragement and efforts during the
summer spent on the farm, she felt in
deed that her reward was great.
"And to think l was sorry that l was
going to have a summer boarder," Mrs.
Mardon often said. sowing to her the
girls have developed into noble women.
Steve has made man of himself, and my
load has been lightened. Truly, in my
home have entertained an angel una
wares"
ABOUT FREE WOOL.
= 4 ,f h.