The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-07-01
An Act of Charity.
CHAPTER I.

Cilai EN- l.
Mrs. Tom Walton was in a very COM
Portable frame of mind and body. Tom
had come home for luncheon, and had
amiably started off with their guest,
Grace Maynard, for the public recep-
ton at the White House. Grace was
to go by the afternoon train, and this
was her last chance to see the " First
Lady of the Land" as the newspapers
call our democratic queen. Tom would
be coming home for dinner alone, after
seeing Grace off, and there would be a
chance again for their dear, cosy even
ings together. 1t was selfish, she
knew; but she was glad they were not
to have any more visitors. Nobody
would be coming to Washington, now
that the season was 30 nearly over, and
she could have Tom all to herself. She
looked lazily out of the window, and
saw her husband and Grace boarding
car at the corner.
There is scarcely anything more en-
tertaining to student of democratic
government than an afternoon recep-
ton at the White House. Mr.. Walton
and his charge had stood long and per-
severingly "in line" first out in the
street, then gradually pushed along
within the grounds, till at last they
found themselves standing in solemn
file, Grace in front, at the very thresh-
old of the Blue Room. Just ahead
were two tiny but bold little figures
a small, dark-eyed Jewess and her
smaller brother -" Miss Zimmerman
and Mr.. Zimmerman" they gave their
names to the inquiring usher; "Miss
Cinnamon and Mr.. Cinnamon" he
shouted in stentorian tones, as they
passed along the magic circle within
which stood the receiving party.
Back of these was curious looking
old woman, with huge green veil tied
over her head and ears, and tiny,
faded old black shawl gathered around
her shoulders.
"Wall, now, it's good for sore eyes
to see ye," she said, as she shook
hands lingeringly with one of the cabi-
net ladies. "Be we Mrs. Cleveland?
Wall, now, can't see ez ye look much
like your picture that I've got at home
That looks just like my Cynthy did be-
fore she died." Her tones were croak-
ing, but there was an upward curve ,of
happy pride in the wrinkles about the
kindly old eyes.
"Move on, therel" came the rough
voice of the policeman.
And Grace and Mr.. Walton found
themselves taking the old woman's
place; ard then, all in breath, they
were out in the great room beyond,
amusing themselves by listening to the
broken English of group of Koreans,
who stood in one corner, gay in native
costume, with their odd caps on their
heads.
"Four O'Clock already" said Mr.
Walton, looking at his watch. "We
shall have to hurry, if you want to see
the conservatory"
CHAPTER II.
Just as Mr.. Walton was putting
Grace on her train, Mrs. Walton
drawled lazy "Comel" to the maid
who brought her the afternoon post.
There were two letters. One, fat
one, from young cousin of Mr.. Wal
toms, she opened first:
"My Dear Hetty:-I gather from
Toms letters that you two are still
incoming along in your nuptial bliss,
not settled down enough to enjoy Wis
itors. So I'm not coming to see you.
Bot you can't guess where l have
beenl
cit seems year or two, but it's
really only month, l spent with 9
dear, funny, old aunt of Toms and
mine. l thought l knew what it would
be like to live that way, but Goose.
berryville exceeded my most fantastic
visions.
AUNT Martha lives in a little ole
place, not picturesque enough to be
called cottage, and not stable enough
to be house. just pumped my brain
to remember all the news for years
back OF anybody connected with oul
enormous family. She would roll pie.
crust while l washed tea-cups; or to bt
less poetic, but more frequently true
she filled the oil lamps while l secured
the griddle-irons-or polished up thu
gilt frame of Mrs. Cleveland's pictur,
in the parlor.
"Poor old soul! heard that the vii
layers about there called her Ruts.
l found that she had had for breakfas
ever since she was left alone, which i
several months ago, griddle-cakes AM
molasses; for dinner bread withOu
butter and half pie; and for supper
the rest OF the pie and bread ant
cheese, with cup OF tea. She said /
was cheaper and easier; she never ha'
been much of hand at accounts; an,
in that way she could tell just hoy
much she spent, and keep within he
income
"While was there, Of course PAL
board, and / instituted a CHANGE a
she called it. AT first she wouldn'
eat but one or two different things q
one meal; but soon coaxed her int
looking up all her famous old recipes
and l left her new creature. She &C