The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-07-07
SELECTED STORY.
Her Pension,

81 don't see no cause for an why you
shouldn't hev pension, Mis- Penelope.
There's heap of persons makes out
their vouchers ez hasn't nigh so much
just claim ez you"
Miss Penelope-she always answered
to that name, regardless of being the
relict of Nathan Briggs and widow of
good standing-made no answer at first.
She was occupied in casting on the heel
of stocking.
Marrying so late in life, no one in
Canaan could get out of the habit of adj
dressing her as Miss Penelope. So
Miss Penelope she remained, both be-
fore and after marriage. She was a
faded little old lady, with soft eyes and
a pathetic droop to the corners of her
mouth. These anxious curves were ac-
centuated now as she dropped her
knitting in her lap and glanced up a
little deprecatingly.
hadn't thought on it," she COM
menced.l
"Well, you jes' oughter," broke in
her companion volubly. cts sin
an shame to let money go to waste as
b'longs to you by good rights. Why,
there's Seth Sawyer claimed he he'd a
gunshot in the knee, he'd a doctors GER
tiicate made out an all tibet, but Far
mer Jones SEE he got it pilferin' hen
roost. He was with him when he done
it. OF course he can't come forward
an testify, fur he'd be defamin' of his
own character. An Hannah Pratt
she thet wuz a Winslow-draws her
stipend reg'ar, though every one knows
Stephen Pratt never went inter the
war tell 'twus nigh on over and died in
his bed at his allotted time. No one
can say tibet of your claim, Penelope.
It's all open an aboveboard."
A tender smile wreathed Miss Pene-
lope's lips as she lifted her eyes TO the
opposite wall, where sword and
knapsack were suspended.
eyes; Nathan fit in three battles
Shiloh, Manassay and the Wilderness.
He wuz took TO the hospittle arter the
last one, an thet's the only bit of infor-
nation / could scrape up. Couldn't
make out even where he wuz buried.
Corporal Brent, he brought me them
things back. Found 'em on the battle
field"
A tear stole down the wrinkled cheek.
"Twuz grievous loss, Sister Pene-
lope. Thet's the way l look at it.
You've give life to your country, an
now it owes you recompensation."
Mrs. Bracket leaned back after this
statement and looked at her friend as
if defying her to deny the allegation.
The bereaved widow shifted uneasily
under that steady gave. The remark
able flow of language confused her.
est never seemed zactly right" she
ventured timidly. "Elder Little used
to 90 on awful 'gainst insurance.
Pears ito me this is bout the same
thing"
Elvira Bracket shifted contemptu-
ously.
"Sakes alivel The quicker you get
tibet notion out your head the better.
You don't hear no sech talk nowadays
in the pulpit. Times hev changed.
Besides, you've got to look out fur
yourself. Think of havin $40 month,
'sides the arrears. Uncle Sans good
purvider."
Miss Penelope made no rejoinder to
this, but turned the heel Of her stock
ing meditatively. Perhaps awe of FL
vira Bracket restrained her from an
open expression of her views, for Mrs.
Brackett's mother was Peterson. To
have emanated from such stock was
brand of nobility. One of the Peter
SONS had borne the title of circuit judge.
All had held offices of responsibility.
Mrs. Brackets sisters husband was
prosperous plumber. They lived in
the city, and Elvira paid yearly visit
to her kinsfolk, returning from each
trip in an elevated and instructive
frame of mind. Elvira was a born
manager, 80 now, when she leaned for
ward with an air of settled determine
ton, Miss Penelope sank back in her
chair with much the same sensation of
a fly in SPIDERS web.
"It's all very WE'LL" Elvira went on
in an emphatic tone of voice, "to be
Independent when you're young an
spry an can look out for yourself, but
now, with old age starin' you in the
face, it's a slightin' of Providence,
thet's what it be. We wuz talkin' it
over at the sewin' circle last Wednes-
day. Hannah Jewett said she heard
you hadn't been to meetin' since last
July cause you hadn't decent pair of
shoes to wear. Now, Miss Penelope,
you know what the Bible says about
hidin' your talents in a napkin. Eff
hevin' husband tibet fit in three bat
ties isn't a talent, don't know what it
49,"
Elvira's arguments were not exactly
logical, but Miss Penelope had not the
courage to refute them, and 30 she
wen. on:
81 tell you now hev an idea. July
Ann has sent pass fur me to come on
an visit her. can't get off, SEEM it's
jes' preservin' time, but you might as
well take it an 60 as far as Washing
ton. July AIMS sister-in-law keeps
boardin'-house there, an she'll take
you in. I'll write her to meet you, an
she'll tell you how to 60 bout it. Thet's
just the very thing. I'll find some one
goin' on from Northboro to put you in
care of, an it'll give you chance to
see the capitil, too. It's a powerful
~ a business man is