Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-09-05


WA INV ended in disaster;
WAY and he has returned
~ with empty pock-
!" cts, and a cold which
trastens pneumonia"
'Oh dear and we we're SO well off
eiore little Mother married again,
Margaret murmured, dolefully.
'Treason" cried Helen, stoutly;
mot one word against Pa Pendergast
The dearest old visionary thing that
Mr liyed!"
HE certainly tries to make for
ne for us, smiled Anne.
"And has only succeeded in reduc-
BE- US to the verge of-beggary |"
rpplemented Margaret.
'The expressman is stopping at the
ate, " said Helen; ''but, of course,
II mistake. I"
"Yes; nothing comes to us now
trt trouble" ended Margaret.
But moment later and Helen called
Ack, ecstatically, "Oh, girls, it is for
i, sure as You hve!" Then. less joy
billy, "But--there's seventy five cents
Npayl"
At last the necessary amount was
hade up, the expressman departed,
bid the girls and their mother, in a
hte of unusual excitement, gathered
rOund the huge, irregular bundle
Fhich, by their united efforts, they
BAD dragged into the middle of the
Eihng-room.
"Who could have sent it?" won
ared Anne.
"What do you suppose it is?" ques-
Epned Helen.
"Its-old Clothes" Margaret said,
toomily,
"Madge!' in a general chorus Of
Ismay.
But even as Helen cut the strings
Ne lopsided bundle burst asunder and
ied its contents of crnrnbled ball
gowns and all kinds of forlorn and
taggled finery upon the floor.
Anne bit her lip, Margaret's eyes
famed wrathfully and Helen laughed.
But the mothers face worked piteously,
nd it was all that she could do to keep
hack the tears.
Ali her life till now, Mrs. Fender
nst had been used to comfort, and
Een luxury; and she had always
6own SO much tact and delicacy in
Ending their own left-of but useful
prnents to those who were poorer than
Semselves And it was a bitter hui
aliation to her now, when, for the
trt time, mass of dingy and map
l'Opriate finery had been literally
Jumped upon her doorstep, without
my accompanying message from the
hch, city cousin, from whom it un-
aoubtedly had been sent.
There isn't a practical thing among
hem" laughed Helen, who was
Morning herself with whatever came
Inst to hand. And even Margaret
Gould not help smiling at the comical
Picture her pretty young sister made
nth crushed French bonnet perched
@quettishly on her fair curls, a faded
nd altogether too-ample olive red
ngote enveloping her pretty form, and
hove her head the bony skeleton OF
once splendid parasol-its melan-
aOlylibs uplifted now, as If implorlng
aty.
Anne laughed Historically; but just
hen Pas querulous voice was heard
the room above, and the mother
Vas glad of an excuse to hasten away.
Night came. The debris had dis
gpeared, and the letter Of thanks to
Cousin Frances, which Helen had
'olunteered to write, was finished.
Listen, girls, while I read it, she
aid; ''but don't interrupt. II you
blink of anything more to say Just walt
md I'll add IT on at the end.
my generous rich relative" she
began, and, regardless Of the RISING
nurmur Of dismay, she hastily went
%; ''It was SO thoughtful OF yon &c
end us such lot Of old clothes (which
se can't possibly make use OF, and
not to prepay the express (which is un
tOmmonly high in this part OF th'
sorld). We now understand why i
more blessed to give than receive
But, unfortunately, we don't know
NY one who would take such stuff as
gut, unless it's the ragman"-
"Helen!"
You shan't send such a letter !!
md Margaret snatched the perfectl.
Proper little note she had WRITER
nom Helen's hand, while the young
grl laughed merrily over the success
y her impromptu nonsense. she love,
,Otease her sober elder sisters, and wit'
aer happy disposition she found iva.
getting fun out Of everything.
But anxions and busy days cam
alter this. Pa Pendergast was serious