The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-05-27
"a LIGHT IN THE WINDOW"

The curtain was drawn back from the
broad window, and shaded lamp threw
soft light out into the winter night.
Alone in pretty room lady sat
musing by the fire. A gentle tap at the
window disturbed her thoughts, and a
little white face looked in. A mass OF
hair, blown by the wind, a pair OF
wondering eyes. "But girls with hair
and eyes are everywhere" says Mrs.
Browning.
This was quaint, old-fashioned lit
tie figure, wrapped up in shawl which
had fallen back from her head, leaving
it uncovered, attracted by the lamplight,
like some poor moth, to dry her wings.
81 want to come in, please, ma'am ~
she said.
1t was the manner of one who comes
on business, and not to ask for aims.
Alone in her desolate state, the lady
had been dreaming of the past. She
thought of broken household bands and
scattered treasures; of her little ones,
| long since gone to that land of the
hearts desire. The church spire OPP
posite, like "dim, perpetual finger in
the air." seemed pointing thither. She
| thought of the other homes where merry
children played or bent their brows
above their lesson books, or sang the
evening song, or kissed goodnight;
brothers and sisters growing into men
and wo men in lands beyond the sea.
81 am alone" she said; 81 have no
share in these household ties; my kin
are far away"
Framed by the window was that quaint
little figure, and the white determined
| face looked in.
"My child, what brought you here to-
night?' she said, raising the sash. ''But
come in and warm yourself"
81 came ever so far in a wagon from
the country, 1 am going to work in
town and buy myself a frock and
things"
This was said with a resolute air that
amused the lady. Such little woman
of a dozen years, come to town on
business, rolled in a shawl, sat down on
farmers wagon, alone on winters night,
come to ask leave to work to buy 'frocks
and things"
TT is wonderful illustration of faith
in Providence, or in herself" thought
the lady,
Taking the small brown hand in her
own, she asked: what can you do?"
The little business woman frightened
up and began an inventory of her accom-
plishments. Her manner seemed to in
dicGte that TIE town would be richer for
the gifts she had brought there. What
were they2
81 can milk the cow" she said, land
feed the pigs and chickens, bring in the
wood and''-
Suddenly she stopped and looked
around near.
She had never heard of Descartes, but
in moment she had discovered the law
which underlies his philosophy-the law
of relationship or harmony. The COW
and the pigs and the chickens all the
things that made up her work in the
country, suddenly fell out of life. She
felt there was no place for them with
these surroundings. There might be a
wood pile somewhere, but even this was
vague uncertainty.
81 have no pigs or chickens" said the
lady, a moisture gatherings in her eyes.
"Reallv, l am feeling new sense of
desolation," thought she. mo pigs or
chickens, even. l wept, like Byron, that
l have nothing to claim tear"
"But 1 can peel the praties and sweep
the crumbs away"
The child had recovered herself and
thought of the more general household
work that might fit here.
"And so you SHALL" the lady said i'm
pulsively. "But tell me where you came
from and all about yourself"
"Ive been working on the farm,
please, ma'am."
The incongruity between farm work
and this small creature was almost
laughable.
81 done the work for my Uncle when
he was sick, but now he's well, and
there's the Doctor to pay. l come away
so they won't have me to keep.
It'll be easier for 'em, 'cept the work"
"And did they allow you to come to
town alone among strangersP" asked the
lady.
'FWell. no ma'am. The farmer he
knew us, he brought me. My Uncle he
felt bad, because he ain so very strong.
He said l was his next of kin, but |
told him could take care of myself. /
am used to it,
"The confidence that this little maid
has in herself is really quite refreshing;
1 will not be the one to rob her of it, ~
thought the lady.
An hour later the child was asleep in
comfortable bed, having had supper
and care such as she had never known in
her life before.
Again in the pretty room the lady
unused, but new figure had come into
her reverie. The past had moved back
to give it place.
at is the story of the Holy Grail
she said, "The Christ cup of duty is
found at our door. was longing fol
my kindred, for some tie to bind me to
life. Fate sent me this little country
maid to be my next of kin. She came
like an unexpected guest, so confident
was she."
Then going to the window, peering
out into the cold street. she thought:
81 like this hospitable way of drawing
back curtains at night; it makes the
long wintry street look more cheerful
Quite Western fashion. How inviting
the interior must look to poor waif."
Then unconsciously lifting her eyes to
the church spire, she said aloud, though
there was no one to heir, unless the
angles listened, "Well there's one less
homeless child in the world tonight"
How far-reaching the light from my
|