The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-04-29

ceive her had arrived, the Walworth
lor, and awaiting certain carriage,
which should contain father and step
mother, as they came from the railroad
station. Their reflections were any
thing but pleasant; their remarks far
from hilarious.
- have read somewhere" said
Lionel, who finally broke a silence of
some minutes, that the surprises of
life are about half pleasant and half
unpleasant. 1t may be -
Just then carriage stopped in front
of the house. A nervous-looking woman
with autiquated face and corkscrew
ringlets put her face to the open win
dow Of the vehicle.
"Mercy upon us ALL" calculated
three of the Walworths, in the same
breath. And they clasped hands and
shivered.
But the carriage moved OF. The
woman with the nerves and the ring
let's was evidently looking for some
other number. "She is not the step
mother" said Frederick.
Pretty soon another carriage drove
up, and this time the door opened. A
massive-lookiDg woman stepped out on
the horse. block. She was square awed,
beetle-browed, and had some sugges-
ton of the shadow of mustache upon
her upper lip. Mercy upon usl'
whispered the whole family, in sibilant
chorus.
But their father did not follow; and,
indeed, the old lady herself went into
an adjoining house, where she was evil
dentiy about to make a call; having
merely utilized the Walworth horse
block. She is not the stepmC ther,"
said Marguerite. And second sigh of
relief was heard throughout the room.
A third carriage drove up, much more
slowly than the others; and their father
got out. He reached tenderly into the
vehicle, and lifted trail looking, sweet
faced woman from within. He brought
her slowly and carefully toward the
steps.
"The poor sweet thingl" said Ell
eanor: she can't walk a step. How
sad And yet how patient she looks!"
"She is very lovable woman," said
Frederick, admiringly.
81 have read mewhere"-began
Lionel.
But his remark was not finished;
there was a general rush toward the
newly married couple, whom it had
been intended to receive in the parlor,
with courteous but ooservant silence.
| They were all around the new mother
before she arrived at the top of the
steps. Aside from her helplessness,
there was something in her manner
that told the Walworth family that she
was to be one of them.
They hung around her in way that
showed that the invalid had been ad-
mitted to their circle almost as soon as
she came in sight. Even the father,
who had been gone from home num-
Der of days, had TO take the second Sc
ries of kisses.
The very helplessness of the new
stepmother had Immediately won the
sympathy of this warm-hearted family,
and her sweet face and gentle manner
made them love her.
When the Walworth family had an
opportunity to see their father alone,
they congratulated him upon his choice
and although they pitied the poor lttle
woman who was to preside over them,
they took solemn pleasure in reflect
ing how much they should be able to do
for her. 81 shall attend to the market
ing as usual" said Eugene. "And
Frederick will go with me, as agreed,
For if he never leaves home until be
quarrels with her, he will stay forever
"She is not in reality a step mother
said Daisy, creeping into her fathers
arms.