Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-09-13


meeting, "she went and got her purse and
gave me a quarter of a dollar. 1t might
have been twenty-five dollars instead, from
laughed and said that it was the spinster's
instead of the widows mite, and that she
would be glad to make some pretty things
for our fair. She is too proud to live
"She mustn't starve for all that com
mented kind Mrs. Trowbridge, when Kitty
went home and told her. SO at Christmas
she sent her a great basket of provisions;
and Miss Fuller, meeting her on the street
a few days after, said:
81 am taking back your basket. 1t was
so good in you to let me be your almoner.
/ left the different articles where ! thought
they would be appreciated"
Then she turned and walked back to
Mrs. Trowbridge's gate, giving her the
basket and a smile and a firm little press
ure of the fingers when they parted.
81 was that dumfounded that couldn't
say word" Mrs. Trowbridge confded to
the minister's wife "And now a half
dozen people l never meant 'em for are
thankin me for cakes and pies"
Miss Fuller had been careful to explain,
"This is from Mrs Trowbridge." But one
woman had said, "Well, | remember the
Christmas turkey the old Jedge used to
send God rest his soul" Then Miss Full
Ter went home and ate her baked potato
and cracker and tea with a certain salts
faction. 1t was not much of a holiday
dinner, but it was of her own providing,
and her perturbed spirit was somewhat
soothed to know that her father and his
deeds of kindness were remembered.
Her meal was frugal because she was
practising closer economy than ever. She
must replace the two shillings which she
had taken from her burial fund, as she
grmly called the little reserve she had put
away in the old cherry desk; and by and
by her annual dues to the missionary so
ciety must be paid. 1t was so hard to get
these small sums together-now they meant
sef-denial in food.
When spring came it would be different,
she thought There would be a few hats
to remodel for Easter There were only a
few, and she had them all done and deliv-
cred and her own little bonnet freshened
and its ribbon replaced long before Easter
eve, which was dark and foggy.
at will be brighter tomorrow, she said
to herself. Easter always dawns clear
Then she fell to thinking of the past,
and that she used to make good resolutions
on that day instead of on New Years
that somehow her year seemed to begin
then. She had it in mind the next morn
ing when she saw how brightly the sun
shone and how blue the sky was, with little
focks of clouds, like snowy doves, lightly
blowing across it, and bow sweet was the
subtle odor of spring that filled the air.
She had already heard one Easter hymn;
it was from the heart and throat of red
breasted robin. Surely the day was be
ginning auspicously. She prayed very
earnestly, and added Help me to con
| quer my besetting sin of pride; help me to
be more humble" She set out for church
determined not to think how shabby she
was; yet as she went up the steps she could
not help feeling that she was sombre
dingy figure among all the delicate grays
and light browns and flower-trimmed hats
that formed the costumes of the rest Of the
| congregation. But she stined the thought
and went bravely in to the slow swelling
notes of the organ. Once in her pew. She
too would be clad in spring tints: for the
sun would shine down upon her through
the stained glass windows and touch her
with yellow, amethystine and pale green
rays. She had learned TO move little from
| time to time and keep pace with the long
slanting lines of color which so kindly
transformed her threadbare jacket into a
garment of cloth-of-gold with royal purple
sleeves.
She was scarcely seated when the sexton
showed stranger into her pew. She did
not look at him save furtivey enough TO
feel that he had an air of distinction and was
fashionably dressed. He found the HYMN
and handed her the book. She could do no
less than share it with him, trying to keep
bitter thoughts from her heart when she
saw the contrast between the carefully
mended glove on her slender thumb and
the fresh one that held the opposite cor
ner When she sat down a blush tinged
her delicate cheek; for in order to still be
clad in purple and gold she was obliged to
sit little nearer him. If only the lines of
color slanted the other way! Then the
deacons passed the plate for the Easter
offering, and Miss Fuller became painfully
conscious of the smallness of the coin she
had tucked into her glove before starting
for church. 1t was more than she could
spare; but should she, or should she not,
place it on the plate for this keen-eyed
stranger to pass judgment upon? He
could not help thinking her either parsi-
monious or as poverty stricken as she really
was. The gift was brought in the name
of the risen Saviour; should she, from
pride, withhold it? Miss Fuller fought
brief battle, one of those silent contests of
which the world is so full, contests in
which no blood is spilled, but which cut to
the quick Having won the fight she
worked the coin down to the opening of
her glove, placed it upon the plate, and
then Strengthened herself as if it had been
gold eagle.
Victory does not always bring peace;
but Miss Fuller's did. The sermon took
on new meaning; the things of earth
seemed of little account; she did not even
think of her old gloves during the closing
of the hymn, or of the back of her rusty
garment. When the stranger stood politely
aside to let her pass from the pew she had
a feeling as if he waited eXpectant; but
she did not raise her eyes. She FASTENED
out of the church and home, while other
people sauntered along in the sunshine;
but she carried with her the earnest words
of the sermon, the full notes of the organ
and the fragrance of the flowers.
She stirred the fire in the little parlor
cook stove before she laid aside her hat
and jacket, then set the tea. kettle over and
put up the leaf of the table which stood
against the wall, and spread the cloth.
But all the time she seemed preoccupied;
and finally she went to bookcase and
took out photograph album and looked
it through.
at was so long ago." she said, pausing
at one of the pictures. 81 was so proud
and foolish. Twenty years ago today l
was nineteen then"
A few plants were on stand by the
south window. There was a genista in