The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-01-27

this, an no smarter, g fur's 1 en- tell
where they raised hundred an fifty
dollars that way. The papers was full
of 1t, all about the risin' talent o. the
community, an go forth. Now we amt
got no risin' talent to speak of, fer
ourn mostly goes to the city when it
begins to rise; but we've got plenty
that's riz; an l move we use that an
git our hall. Their amt no sense any.
way in thinkin' the young folks is the
only ones en- do anything, an putin
the old ones on the shelf fore they're
worn out SO 1 say lepe have a real
good Old Folks Concert an go ahead
with our builiin'."
Mrs. Reeds hearty confidence was
so contagious that it gradually over
came the dread of making themselves
ridiculous which the old people felt.
The novelty Of the plan excited the in
terest of every one, and tll promised it
their hearty support-all, that is, ex-
cept few like Sarah and Lucy Purdy,
who from the first had no faith in the
scheme.
The deacon and his wife, on the con-
trary, were full of enthusiastic interest,
and asked numbeiless questions about
the concert and those who were to take
part. Most of those who had consented
to do so were old-time friends of their
own.
"Ahl" said Ma Purdy; if want
30 helpless an good-for-nothin' l might
do something too. Folks used to think
l could sing an play. i amt much
good, but l would like to help along
with the rest. 1 wonder this very
slowly and wistfully-" i'll couldn't
be carried down there an sing one tune
any way, jest for old saks's sake"
"Oh, Nal" exclaimed Lucy; "of
course you couldn't. Why, you amt
been out o. the house these ten years."
And Sarah added, with some asperity:
"What's the use o. bein' ridiculous?
Their amt no sense in such fool talk"
"Well, dom knows there is," said
her mother, patiently. ltd be lot o.
trouble to get me out; an dom s'pose
l could sing any wuth listenin' to-.
Only I'd like to be O. some use once
more, an seems like there amt any
thing Pm good for"
But the loyal old deacon could not
bear any slight to his wife's powers.
"You gals jest shet up" he said.
ether amt nobody in the hull county
en- hold candle to yer ma a.singin'.
Why, when she was gal they useter
come from all over to hear her sing
'Bonny DOOM An l don't see but
she sings just as purity now's she did
then. She can't git down to Black
Rock, but Their amt nothin' ridiculous
nor no fool talk in her sayin' she'd like
to sing at the concert; an won't have
it said"
"There, Pa-therel" said Ma
Purdy, as he stopped with wheeze.
" 'Taint no use maxim fuss about it.
I'd ought-a-known'd better'n to think
O. sech thing. faint the Lords will
fer me to do any more singin' before
folks; an I hope l amt conceited
enough to think the concert needs the
likes o. me. guess l better 60 to bed
now"
She was her old CHEEKY self as they
put her to bed. But the deacon, as he
blew out the candle, caught again that
wistful, longing look on the wan face,
and wished with all his heart that the
days of miracles were not past.
In the village, preparations for the
Old Folks Concert went on briskly;
but at the old house on the Back Hill
Road the subject soon ceased to be dis
cussed. Sarah and Lucy, not being
favorably disposed toward it, would
have been glad if they could have for
gotten it altogether. Their mother,
after the first night, said little. The
deacon, however, whom no expression
of her face ever escaped, watched her
closely. One day, when the girls were
out of hearing, he said:
"Ma, if you want to go to that ERE
concert, you're a-goin'. amt much
good myself; but if there's an able
bodied man in this township guess
we en- git you into a wagon an down
to the school. house somehow; an if
you want to 60 you're a-goin'."
She smiled up at him brightly.
"No, Pa; it's no use talkin'. I've
made up my mind long ago that I've
jest got to stay here quiet till l 60 out
fer good. don't know what put such
dumb notion into my head. An yet
seems IS if l hadn't wanted anything
30 much as this since been laid up"
"That settles it," said the deacon;
" you're agoin'. An if you want to
sing you're agoin' to do that, too. You
could, if you got there onct; an I'll see
to that part of it. You're jest agoin',
/ say"
"No, Piano; 1 can't 60. An as
for singin'-I can't help laughin' at my
self for thinkin' of it, an old, cracked
bell like me-"
But by and by she murmured to her.
self: ~ do wonder if 1 could. l
would like to help 'em."
That afternoon Mrs. Reed dropped
in on her way from market and spent
half an hour with Ma Purdy. When
she left there was curious, half-puz-
zled, half-amused look on her face,
which stayed there full five minutes.
Then she gave decided little sidewise
nod pressed her lips together, and
wiped tear from each eye.
At last the evening of the concert
came. AT half-past six the deacon re.
marked that he guessed he an Ma
better be a-gitlin' ready, seein's they
were goin' TO the entertainment.
Sarah and Lucy stopped short in the
midst of their own preparations.
Whatp thew exclaimed. I" YOI