St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-12-07

In SOBER ROBES.

with heT pump ho"oo io'uSu !" hSi
ian her cap strings undone, her cape
rakishly awry, her gray hair shame
lessly rumpled. 1t was seven O'Clock,
and the lowering sun had tinged the
western sky with an edge of faded
brown. Frogs were calling, and a
faint, intermittent tinkle of cowbells
stole over the rolling pasture lands
beyond the Shaker village.
Big and barren in the silvery half
dusk The Shaker dwellings rose up
on a background of pale skies and
green fields. Everything looked
stold and blank. The meeting
house austerely plain, the sturdy
houses, shops and barns, the very
flower beds in the yard of West
House, suggested an undertaking
ripor of aim. And in the midst OF
il all, a very incarnation of cheerful
laxity, sat Sister Huldah, with her
pulpy unascetic figure and broad,
babyish old face.
Behind her long vista of hallway
ran straight and smooth through
the center of West House. Now and
then a woman in Shaker garb, plain
and prim, went in staid steps across
the painted floor to the sitting room
at the further end of the passage.
1t was the hour of the evening gath.
ering, but old Huldah squatted
comfortably on the back door step,
had forgotten about everything ex-
cept the tranquil aspects OF the twl-
light hours.
A man with longish silver hair
under his fat hat came up the path.
Good evening to you, sister" he
said in curiously soft, womanish
voice. You're not overlooking the
hour Of gathering, are your Our
new elderess is particular about hav-
ing the family prompt" His accent
was one of kindly warning, and
Huldah started.
Law, WE'LL" she sighed. 81 let it
slip my mind, SO did! 'Taint easy
fer to git into new ways Of dom
Bro Henry. We never heard OF no
gathering hour in E deress James
time. | amt passing word agin
Elderess Lucia. She aims to do
right, but she's from up moth, and
she's young and upbeaded, and
well, reckon it's fer the best, but |
amt ielt to home since Jane died.
"She was Kentucky woman, so
she was, and she understood how't
person might hev the love of Ann
in EN- and yit disremember to tie
their cap strings. No, Bro Henry.
Iknow't the new elderess hes my
good at heart. know I'm keerless
to my own ondoin, but l jest can't
seem to get ahead of them cap
stringsl Look like l was born
thriiless. / was always a-breaking
things and tearing my cio'es and
gettin into mud holes as child, and
being Shaker fer 40 years amt
took it out'n my blood" She sighed
deeply, but the expression on her
mild face was one of genial resigna-
ton rather than hopeless grief.
Brother Henry sighed too. The
new elderess, though a holy woman
engaged in laying great bases for
eternity. had short shrift for human
weaknesses.
"She has great gifts" mourniully
conceded the old man. He went up
the steps with the stiff accuracy OF a
pair of compasses and entered the
house.
A tall, slight young woman was
coming down the hall. Her very
shadow on the yellow floor had q
look of severity. She was young
with a pale, beautiful face. The
thin lines OF her lips held something
that was in harmony with the cold
glance of her dark eyes, and she
walked with certain determined
gait, as if each step were set to ar
exact measurement. She advanced
to the door and looked out on The
quiet garden, the fading sky, the ris
ing stars and the slouching old figure
on the steps. Sister Huldah," sh'
said.
Huldah's shoulders twitched. Sh
numbered hastily to her feet.
II was jest laying off to come in,
she advanced in conciiating ton
as she stood, broad and awk ward
iumbling at her cap strings. LOCI
like kind of lost myself a-settin,
here listening at the irawgs holer
Down in Lincoln county where
was raised, the frawgs they used t
start in of night
"Huldah," remarked the elderes
coldly, there are cherry stains OF
your hands, and your skirt has
xigzag rent in the side breadth
Your hair is in sad state. 1t i
painful to me to keep speaking t.
you about your careless habits
You are very remiss. The youth G
this house do not find you goo
example. Nothing that you do
well done" She paused and the
added" fear that it will he m
duty, unless you mend your ways
to reprimand you publicly before tn
assembled family"
Huldah looked amiably remorsefu
know amt WORTHY of nv hig