St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-03-05
HONEY OUT OF THE LION.
Frances NJ. Abbott in the New England
Magazine.


July, the year after the news, and Miss
Rachel was hanging out clothes on
the line. This may seem a strange
occupation tor the descendant of the
Steptiptoes, Saltpeppers and Peasel-
trees, not to mention Rev. Eldad Hen.
bane who, like some of the other Old
New England clergy, was accustomed
to slave labor. But the last OF the
Forrestheld domestics had died some
years ago, and, like everything else
in the house that had become worn
out, she had never been replaced.
There was but one lady in Rivervale
who went out washing, and that
only in families where She had a Wis
itng acquaintance, so Miss Rachel
perforce must labor with her own
hands. She was performing this
work in her usually quiet way, when
she was suddenly surprised by
Hullo!" uttered in sweet voice.
Miss Rachel looked up and beheld
startling vision. On stone wall
near the hen-pen was seated beau
tiful young creature, clad in a rich
red silk frock, trimmed with velvet
and Iewelled passementerie. She
climbed down from her perch, and
came forward in a most friendly
fashion.
II thought I'd come over and see
you" she said ITS lonesome over
to the house"
She was a girl of thirteen appar-
emily, and Miss Rachel thought she
was the most beautiful child she had
ever seen. She had lovely violet
eyes and well-marked eyebrows
(there was nothing Miss Rachel adj
mired so much as eyebrows, for she
herself had none to speak Of, and
light curly hair, and the most engag-
ing smile Though her costume was
absurdly inappropriate, its barbaric
richness did not lessen her likeness to
fairy princess.
$50 you are our new neighbors ?"
said Miss Rachel, when she had recov.
cred her wits.
I'm one. My name is Emerald
Witan. There is my ring" and she
showed a splendid gem on her left
hand, as if it were certificate or
proof of identity. 1--WE got a sister
Diamond. She's got three rings, and
pas going to give her necklace on
her next birthday. She didn't want
to wait, but pa" (she pronounced it
with a broad Western accent) said
she couldn't have a necklace till she
was eighteen. You ought to know my
pa. He's good; he gives us every
thing we can think of"
Miss Rachel was so overcome bv
this remarkable family history that
she sat down on the steps. The child
crept near her in the manner Of an
afectionate puppy or a pet lamb or
a tame bird or some other unsophis-
ticated creature. What makes YOU
do your washing?" she asked. 81
should think you'd send it to the
Chinaman.
I'VE have no Chinaman in River
vale" said Miss Rachel.
why don't you let your girls do
it them" inquired Emerald.
1--WE have no girls" said Miss
Rachel.
Are you poor?"
This question was asked without
lmpertinence, but in tone OF gentle
wonderment. Miss Rachel tried to
explain the change in the family for.
tunes, but genteel impoverishment
was evidently something quite out
of Emerald's ken.
"Illhelpyou hang out yourclothes.
l like to work. Ma says it amt
stylish; but hate being stylish,
don't your"
Miss Rachel sympathized with this
last remark; but she told Emerald
she must not hang out clothes with
such gown on.
"Oh, this old thing This is no
good. had it last winter. put it
en- this morning cause it's kind o.
chilly"
She would not even let Miss Rachel
get her an apron, but insisted on
helping as she was. She tugged the
heavy basket from place to place,
held up the wet linen for Miss Rachel
to tasten on the line, and picked up
the clothespins, working with child
ish enthusiasm. She proved of real
assistance, though Miss Rachel lelt at
first as if brilliant golden robin had
flown down from the cherry trees to
her aid.