The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-05-03

The slightest importance" l observed to
the startled cook, as l swept out of the
room on my way upstairs to get a fresh
apron.
Papa followed, and led me very softly
into mammals room. / was not allowed
to rush TO her, nor to hug her at all;
and then they showed me tiny face in
a flannel bundle beside her, and said
that was my little sister.
looked at it first with pure wonder
that any one could be 50 small and yet
be alive. Then paug of jealousy shot
through my heart. This was my father
and mother, and l had expected that
they would be overjoyed to see mel In
stead, they scarcely noticed me, but
were gazing with unconcealed pleasure
at this ugly, red-faced little interloper.
l went to bed with a strangely DESC
late feeling. There was no father to
throw pillows at me and pretend that |
had broken some of his bones when |
threw them back again; no mother to
tuck me in, aud ask me to wake her
next morning with kiss.
For weeks and months it seemed to
me that no one thought of anything in
our house except that unexpected and
undesired infant. Even relations who
on previous visits had been accustomed
to pet me, now went straight past me
with the exclamation, "Oh, what
sweet baby Do give her to mel'
My father played no more games
with me. 1t would disturb the baby.
My mother told me no more little
stories. Her time was absorbed by the
baby. Even cross old Sally said,
Bless it's little heart" when she
spoke to the baby.
Once when the baby behaved rather
worse than usual, they sent off in haste
for the doctor, aud afterward when l
what | must expect when | got my feet
wet every day.
AT another time papa, who was going
away in great hurry, exclaimed in a
loud, laughing voice, =" Only ten seconds
for refreshments" And as he spoke
he kissed mamma and the baby in the
hall, and forgot all about asking where
| was.
My heart ached and ached. / shut
myself in my room, and cried desolately.
thought of every friend had in the
world, and it seemed to me that every
one had been deliberately unkind to
me. Cronk, the gardener, was a pos
sible exception. dried my eyes and
went out to him with the hope that he
would say something consoling.
"Mr. Cronk," 1 said, by way of draw
ing him out, you are very handsome
and clever, aren't your"
Cronk Strengthened his commonplace
person with a sigh.
All, Miss Ellie" he said "you
ought to have seen me when | was a
) young mani"
Well, anyway" | said, 81 wish |
was good looking and clever both"
"Oh, you're pretty passahle," said
Cronk.
Somewhat discouraged, went back
to the house, and determined that il
nobody cared for me | would care for
nobody. In few days, as result OF
this decision, my mother had serious
talk with me. She told me how much
/ had grieved her and my father by
e nv naughty behavior, and that it was
an awful thing for person to let the
evil spirit get control of her thoughts
L and actions. After long talk she told
d. me to come and kiss my sister, and
refused.
cit would be only Judas kiss
+ mamma" l said. 81 don't really love
4 her. She has spoiled all my pleasure il
life. And Pm not going to pretend tt
S love her when don't"
(, "Then you must 90 to your room ant
u ask God to give you new heart" sale
mamma, sadly. Some days afterwarC
, she told me my father wished to see mt
}, alone in the library.
felt myself growing cold and leader
e all over. | seemed to have lost all low,
e for my father and mother, and as 70
q my baby sister, | simply hated her
a Perhaps my father thought he coul'
u scold me or whip me into pretendin!
that | loved them. Well, he jus
couldn't, then | was sure of that.
y would not yield. l clenched my teeth
u and locked my lean little hands together
a and went down to my father. After
- came in he closed the door behind me
and then be showed me sad, sad face
u Darling" he said, want to ash
d you to forgive me. I've been thinkin!
IS it all over, and | see that ever sine
IL baby came I've been poor, cheap
= second rate kind of father to you.
IS didn't realize ii before, but | blam
l. myself for al this coldness that ha
IL come between us, and"
Is But with LOUD sob had dropped
before him with my face on his knees
a He drew me up to his breast. "Oh, nc
4, papa!" said, sit isn't you at all.
a have been wicked and cold and hate
g full"
g. He stopped my lips with kisses.
he Don't you dare SANDER nv chip
munk," he said, and | only tightene
&c my clasp on his neck, and gave a Ions
As long sigh of relief and rest and blesse
JOY.
4, Since then | have always been yer
IN fond and proud of my little sister,
Exchange,