The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-09-28
Written for the Waterman
The o. NJ. Club-..N0. =.
by LILLIAN RYDER.


here, each in her accustomed seat in
the circle. We nearly always sit in
circle; that's the Scribe's idea. (To
distinguish our newspaper women we
call one the Scribe, and the other the
Pharsee.) She says that it fosters in
dividuality, and one escapes that feel
ing of being the first or last of series,
that one gets when seated in rows, for
in a circle one can always imagine
ones self to be the first, without en-
croaching on the rights of her neighbor,
who is doubtless happy in the same be-
lief, and it does not matter il there is
no last. Then, too there is not that
suggestion of the sheep and goat divi-
sion that is sometimes felt when ranged
on the right and left of that inevitable
central aisle. No one but the Scribe
would ever have had such ideas. Such
fancies are continually cropping out in
her newspaper contributions. The
Doctor says that her imagination is alb
normally developed, and recommends
a nerve tonic; but we always humor
each others fancies, when we can with
out too much trouble, and the only OBJ
lection to this arrangement is that in
cold weather the fireplace is not circu-
lar, too. After all, who minds little
inconvenience? For when one be-
comes uncomfortably warm, there is
sure to be another ready with cold
shoulder to exchange places. And then,
there is no harm done in a little extra
baking.
The Doctor is to preside tonight, and
we begin with what we call a confer
ence meeting. You know what that is.
Each one has on opportunity 10 relate
some experience of the week, tell some
grievance, ask advice, or give us an in
teresting news item. The Artist calls
it our weekly hash; and truly the in
gradients brought forward are CT suf-
fcient variety to puzzle even board
ing-house keeper.
Number Seven is the first to offer her
contribution tonight, and we know by
her looks that there is something spicy.
am burdened by great sense of
duty tonight, and can only find relief
by the use of woman's weapon, speech"
IF you are sure that your uncomfort-
able sensation is due to an increased
activity of the organ of duty, and not
to a sluggish action of the liver, you
may proceed to unburden YOURSELF
replied the Doctor soberly.
Number Seven. with twinkle in her
eye, assures the Doctor that her physi.
cal health is perfect and that she stands
in no need of doctors prescription.
The fact is, my respected invalid, be-
sides having severe attack of rheuma-
tism and a troublesome cough, has, dur.
ing the past week, become trihe mixed
in her mental faculties, and imagines
that she is enveloped in a mantle OF
prophecy. Henceforth you will know
me not as the old maid to fortune and
to fame unknown but as the mouth.
piece Of a prophet"
"Tell us about it, do,'' said the
Pharisee; 81 scent a column article
for to-morrow's paper, and my mind is
as dry as desert; produce this oasis
for me and I'll forgive your amiable
aunt for snubbing me so numerically
that last day 1 called upon you.
promise to cultivate forgiving dispo
sition from this moment"
Number Seven feels positive that il
will be easier for her to improve he1
disposition at distance than it would
be if she were forced to pass ten hours
day in the same room with the invalid
"For the past week Aunt has forbidden
me to read anything to her save the
Bible and the daily paper. She is as
conscientious in the reading of the one
as the other, skipping nothing but the
advertisements. | have been reading
the prophecies of jeremiah, and il
some way she has gotten the two mixed
80 that Jerusalem is New York, anC
all the warnings of the coming doom
of that ancient city are made applicable
10 this one. Nothing can convince he
that the present reign is not one of evil
and, to punish us for our sins, HEAVIER
is to send the Babylonian king to de
stroy the city and take us into captivity
David B. Hill answers to her ideas O
Nebuchadnezzar exactly. The siege i
the campaign; we are to be reduced +
state of starvation, and those who ar
fortunate enough to escape the destroy
er's sword are to be led straight int
the captivity of Tammany Hall, whic
she locates in the midst of the hangin
gardens of Babylon. She expect
every day TO be thrust, with DR.. Park
hurst, into the dungeon cell, and ex
poets me to come to the rescue. He
rheumatic twinges are the affection
sent upon her by the wicked ruler 70
foretelling the coming disasters, and sh
fully believes she is to go with the rem
nant of the faithful, led by Grove
Cleveland, into the land of Egyp
where she will meet her death in tn
true jeremiah fashion. AS | am tn
faithful Baruch who records the propt
ecies, feel it my duty to warn you
time to leave the doomed city,"
All, see; slight arrangement G
the brain, would recommend you I
humor all those little wanderings,
said the Doctor.
For my part, l do not see anythin
very wild in her ideas; there is metho
in her Madness" the Teacher sale
''It did look for time as though Ne
York was the city of David, and if it
not surrounded by the requisite nun
Der of Hills one answers the purpos
admirably. l sympathize with the il
valid in her decisions, aud cry with he
Deliver us from our enemies"
GO 1t is the lamentations that l mos
dread" said Number Seven, an
after week like the past, l am read