The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-06-18
How the Danforths Moved.
BY GLEN HATHAWAY.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THE Danforths were moving that
first of May. 1t was their fourth
move in three years, a very unusual rec
ord for family of any pretentions to
responsibility in the staid little town.
And the Danforth name had been one
of the most aristocratio there for many
years.
First we lived in our own dear old
home, where was born" Frances had
enumerated the evening before, sitting
on the porch in the soft April moon
light, with her lover on the steps just
below her. "Then when Cousin Zebe-
dee and the mortgage took that, in
spite of all our pinching and planning
all the years was growing up, we had
that nice house on River street. The
next year we had to give that up as too
expensive and move to this place, that l
might shy something against, but
won't, because-weli, because I won't,
Dick" she lucidly explained, with
downward smile at the young man,
who knew very well that she forgave
the house it's many faults for the sake
of having found her romance within its
walls. But there's nothing but the
lowness of the rent in favor OF the
house we're going to" she ended. Its
cramped and shabby and inconvenient
in every way. When think how far
below the old home we've got In only
three years, IL really fear we shall
find ourselves moving out to the poor
farm one of these springs"
IF you would only move to my house
one of these springs-or sooner," began
Dick Stedman, reaching up to take one
of his sweetheart's small brown hands,
that were pretty in spite of all the work
they had had to do.
But Frances pulled it impatiently
away.
You couldn't afford to marry my
whole family, Dick, even If we'd let
you, and they can't possibly spare me
as maid-of-all-work and general man
ager as long as the money comes in so
slowly and the children grow out OF
their clothes so fast. There! don't let
us waste any more time tonight talk
ing of disagreeables or Of what can't
be-"
IF your grand-nunt only hadn't
made such cruelty unjust WILL" Dick
began again, and again Miss Danforth
cut him short.
eff wishes were horses, then beggars
would ride" she quoted, absurdly.
"My grand-aunt did make her own will
tosuit herself,a probably shall If ever
| am wealthy old spinster and able to
afford dislikes; and what is the use OF
ifs? Once more l suggest that you
start some pleasanter topic this last of
our evenings on this pleasant old
porch"
Apparently he obeyed; for their talk
grew low-toned, and her pretty dark
head and his comely, fair one drew
quite unnecessarily close to each other
as 1t went on. When he left, which was
early, In consideration Of her busy NOR.
row, there was the brightest OF smiles
on Miss Danforth's face as she went in
to the parlor.
But the smile faded as she looked
rojind the familiar room. The trail of
the mover was already upon it. The
tacks were out of the carpet, and the
bookcase was emptied and it's contents
piled in corner.
The handsome furniture-much too
handsome and aristocratic in it's state
ly old-fashion for the cramped little
room with it's cheap, glazing, gilt paper
and worn carpet-bore traces of rough
usuage. Frances stopped on her way
to bed to pityingly study the scratches
and dents on secretary of inlaid ma
hoghny.
The furniture had been the sole leg
acy left Mr. Danforth by the will of his
Aunt Deborah. an eccentric old lady
who had practically adopted him as
Il boy, brought him up in idleness to
expect her money, and turned him out
without a penny when he declined to
marry to please her and did marry to
please himself.
His wife was an orphan, with pleas
ant house of her own. which Frances
still regretted, and he had gone to
work gallantly to support himself and
his, and for time had prospered. But
having no profession and being without
much business faculty, Mr.. Danforth
had failed to attain more than a very
moderate salary in an Office, while his
wife had early settled down as mild
chronic invalid, whose constant worry
over the way her doctors bills and
other needs ate into the family income
did not improve her chances of re-
covery.
When at length Miss Deborah died, 1t
was found that she had left all her valu-
able antique furniture to her nephew
as the last of the Danforths, coupled
with the provision that he should for.
| felt it if he ever attempted to sell a
single piece, and had bequeathed heI
very considerable fortune to distant
and already well-to-do cousin, Zebedee
Smith by name.
Mr.. Danforth had philosophically ac-
| CeDJeu UllC SlUuduiOl tiuu thS III LII WI u
selling off the commoner things he al
ready had to settle some bills of long.
standing with the proceeds, and crowd
ing his small rooms with the richest oil
carved oak and mahogany, most OF
which was presently still further dec
grated by the jackknives and bootheels
Of his irrepressible boys.
Mr.. Smith had likewise used his
legacy to the best advantage, and made
considerable merit of soon after accom-
modating his Danforth cousins with 4
loan on their homestead.
| The next day was one Of storm ant
stress to Frances, on whom the weight
of the household burdens always fell.
| Mr. Danforth, Of course. had to go t
the Office. and Mrs. Danforth retired tt
friends house with her usual head
ache. before the moving had fairly be
gun. Frances and her ever-faithfu
lieutenants, Jack and Jean, the 15-year