News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1892-08-18
TERMS $1.5o.

fy up ana get stronger, so that the
first mild, pleasant day can carry
you to your fathers to stay a week
| believe the change would do you
good" +-- n t-af
Mary herself seemed to take little in.
terest in the arrangement, but when
a week later, she was little stronger
so that she sat up half the time, and a
warm, mellow day came like smile
into the heart of the winter, Jonas
urged and Aunt vi scolded, till be-
tween them, they wrapped her snug
| ly, and cushioned in the warmest and
softest of robes, she took sleigh ride
to her fathers house, where Jonas
left her.
"And now, Aunt VII" he said COM
ing in on his return with his arms
loaded with rolls of paper, 81 want
your help in a conspiracy The long
and short of it is, that you and land
the boys and all the help we need are
going to work with paint and paper
and carpets and furniture to make
this house look so Mary won't know
it when she comes back"
Good for you'll" said Aunt vi, ap-
provingly; "Im in to helpl"
The painters came the next day,
thepaperers followed. Jonas brought
home nice carpets and women to
make them. Loads of new furniture
came to the door, and new stoves to
replace the forlorn, antiquated ones.
An elegant new bookcase was stocked
with well-selected library, and choice
pictures were purchased to hang on
the walls. Jonas was not devoid of
taste when he tried to exercise it, and
when he doubted his own judgement,
he took counsel of those who were to
be relied on.
Mary's week at her fathers length
ened into a fortnight. Jonas dropped
In to see her every few days, and saw
she was really gaining, SO made that
an excuse for prolonging her visit till
things at home were ready to receive
her.
One lovely day, the last of Febru-
ary, he went to bring her home. Aunt
VI and the boys waited impatiently
for their coming.
What will mother sayl" the boys
kept asking.
When the sleigh stopped at the
door, Jonas lifted her out, and car
ried her, all wrapped as she was, into
the house, straight through the hall
into the long unused parlor, and
placed her in the softest and easiest
of easy chairs.
Where are you carrying me" she
had found breath to say in muffied
tones of surprise before he put her
down, but he made no answer.
Aunt vi was at hand to take off her
wraps, and as she removed the thick
veil, Mary looked around in bewilder-
ed surprise. Whose was this house?
A soft colored carpet covered the
floor, pretty paper adorned the walls,
an elegant chamber-set with lounge
and easy-chairs furnished the room,
the sunlight streamed in warm at the
windows, but did not outshine the
cheerful fire in the open stove; new
books and magazines lay on the ta-
BILE, the canary in a gilded cage was
trilling his best songs, and the plants
in tho stfrniset window s.oerles1 ssrtBfl-
ing welcome to their mistress.
Where am ~" cried Mary in be-
and then, as the truth |
began to dawn upon her, she burst |
into happy tears.
"Oh JONAS" she cried, you are too |
good, l don't deserve so muchl'
"Now hushl Mary" he said" this
is only the beginning. I've turned
over a new leaf. Your days of hard |
work are over; you've earned play
SPELL"
When Mary was rested a little, how
pleasant it was to go through the
house leaning on Jonas arm, and
see all the new things, the boys fol-
lowing admiringly.
Its all perfectly lovelyl" she said.
II know shall love to work among
these new things as soon as am
able"
But you are not going to do itT'
put in Jonas.
"Henceforth you are always to
have Help, and keep yourself young
and fresh. You shall read, and rest,
and journey, and enjoy life once
more. Please God, we'll see many
ndDpy years UOgeuner yeU!
"How pretty mother looksl" said
Teddy.
Truth to tell, most becoming
red had crept into the pale cheeks,
perhaps a gleam from the rose-col-
ored future her husband was portray
ing. Her heart grew lighter every
and when Aunt Wis nice
supper was ready, she ate with more
relish than she had known for
months.
No more medicine from that day
for Mary bingham. Pills, powders
and plasters were all given the go-by
and Mary got well on happiness.
Said Jonas, Furniture bills and all
those things are no higher than doc
tors bills, and vastly more satisfy
ing. Comfort and happiness are
more pleasant to take than medicine
and do more good. | learned my
lesson rather late in life but learned
it once for all. Good Housekeeping.