Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-03-07

tree by the roadside.
"Me! oh, Pm John Hedges, an you
was the only stranger that got off the
train; so I couldn't help knowing you.
Let me help yon in the wagon, mum,
an, there's my coat for you to sit on.
But twas Patty that sent me fur you,
Patty Pollard. Pm to take you over
to her mas house,
''Pollard? Patty Pollard? Who is
she?'' asked Mrs. Beebe, more mys-
tilted than ever. And John Hedges,
taking his seat by her side, and start
ing his horses, proceeded to explain.
'sPatty? Why, she's your niece, Mrs,
Beebe. Leastways, Mr.. Beebe was
her uncle, her mas brother, SO she
says though I don't reckon you ever
laid eyes on her in your life. Patty
she was washing, up to Pepperidg-
es, and she heard Almiry say you had
wrote you was comm to make them
a visit, an, that she had writ back not
to come. But Patty, she says like as
not you won't get the letter in time
an would come any how; an SO
you go to the station John, and fetch
her here, if she comes" Them's the
very words she said.
cam Miss Pepperidge, she was
tellin' that you used to be as rich as
cream, but you had lost all your mon
ey, by the bank a bustin', and she
lowed you would hev to go to the
poor-house.
'sBut Patty and her ma said you
shouldn't never do that, while they
had a ruff over their heads. They air
poor folks, 'emselves; but Patty
washes, and Miss Pollard weaves car
pets, an Patty says you shan't never
come to want, while she's able to
wiggle a finger. An Miss Pollard
says the same.
''Lost my money, an goin' to the
poor house, be I? An Almiry Pep
peridge told that?" asked Mrs. Bee
be, with curious smile.
ayes, nom, them was the very
words she said. But, law, you need
not feel a might Uneasy; you'll be
taken care of, as sure as guns. But
here we are" he added, as he drew
up his team in front of a ones story
log cabin, which looked as though it
was trying to hide itself under the
big trees lowering over it, aud the
mock orange and morning glory
vines climbing over the windows.
A ed-cheeked girl in a faded calico
dress ran out to meet them.
$50 you did come, Aunt Beebe!
Come right in, we've been expecting
you," and she kissed the old lady
heartily. ''Let me carry your things.
You come in too, John.'
sECan't'' returned John. "I've got
to hustle along" And John drove
away whistling merrily.
Mrs Pollard, all smiles, greeted her
sister-in law with a cordial shake Of
the hand.
'sTo think we've never set eyes on
one another all these long years."
she cried, taking her VISITORS bon
net, and handing her turkey wing
fan, which hung on nail over the
fire place.
stBut it's better late than never,
they say, an now you're all alone in
the world you can't do better than
stay along with me and Patty. The
place is poor enough to be sure; but
John is goin' to fix it up some, when
him an Patty gets married, as they
calkilate to do, soon as he can scrape
up enough to begin with. He thinks
in a year Or two mebbe he can buy the
place; and then he'll put up another
room an, We'll all live together.
'sBut come and hev dinner, sister
Beebe, you must be as hungry as a
raven, after your long ride; and Pat
ty's got it all ready"
And the homely meal of corn bread
and fried bacon and eggs, with vege-
tables of Patty's own raising, was en-
joyed by the visitor as many more
pretentious repast has not been.
When the meal was over, and the
dishes had been washed, Mrs. Beebe
turned to her new found niece with a
smile.
$50 Almiry Pepperidge says I wrote
to her that I'd lost all my money and
was going to the poor-house, hey,
Patty?"
eyes Aunt, that's what she said;
but you needn't to be afraid, for you
shan't go there; you shall stay with
US, as long as you live" declared
Patty.
'sMebbe John wouldn't agree to it."
ooh, yes, he would" cried Patty,
confidently. 'sHe says one more