Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-11-24


farmers daughter"
"No, father, never that, but too fine I
hope to sec my mother suffer. And whilo
we have hor want to do oil in my power
for her"
"Whilc we have hcrl Why your mother
isn't very sick. It's only tho newfanglcd
complaint, and folks never die of it. -
Lefty chokod back the tears
Father, please let me 90 with John. l
should not ask for help If did not need
1t, for her sake"
"Shan't hear to 1t, shan't hear to It'll
Mothcr'll come out all right, said Mr..
Moore as he strodc away.
1t wanted but two days of the time
when the turkeys were due in Boston, and
Lefty was seated in the kitchen with
large turkey in her lap, from which she
was carefully picking the pinfcathcrs.
1t WAS past midnight when sho put
down the last bird and bathcd her tired
fingers Sam had crept off to bed long ago.
Elijah was snoring loudly above stairs,
and John alone was faithful and helpful.
Mr.. Moore, who had been doing near the
fire, reused himself to say:
Pack the wings close, John, and, Lett,
be sure you make the bill out carefully and
put the weight of each bird down in my
book. think I'll 90 to bed"
Lefty recorded tho number OF pounds as
John weighed and then made out tho bill
in due form 1t was pleasure, weary as
she was, to hold the pen. Suddenly an
odd fancy came to her.
"John," she said, 81 am going to put
something under tho wing of this big fell
low just for sport"
"All right, Miss Lefty, II you can get
any fun out of all your hard work, just
you do it"
Lefty pondcred for moment and then
her pen flew rapidly over the paper
Here Is the nonsense, John:
"Whoever finds, oh, may he read
Some other lesson here than greed.
My maiden fingers long to trace
Some nobler work, in broader space:
But fate is harsh, and here | stay,
Picking my fowls from day to dag.
Eat this, o friend, and think of ne,
Pining for greater liberty.
"Brookdalc, y. H."
"Why don't you put the name out in
fully' asked John.
"Oh, it does not matter! We shall new
or hear of it, but it comforts mo to find
that can even think of nonsense"
Thanksgiving came and went.
Lefty spent most of the day in reading
to her mother after the dinner had been
cared for. The cid minister camo in and
brought her q note from one of her college
friends. They did not forget her or neg
lect her.
In the evening Lefty played games with
sam, for sho wanted the boy To have pleas.
ant memories Of his Lomc in tho days to
come.
December came, and all the hills werc
crowned with snowy white.
Lefty had moved her mother to her own
room away from the noise, and there she
looked from tho windows upon the coun-
try beyond her homc-the country which
she had never had time to enjoy
1t was "a bright, sparkling winter morn.
ing when MIR. Moore came In one day 10
speak with Lefty. She was standing at
the table ironing dainty little bcdgown
of her mothers. She was not a girl given
to tears, and yet more than ono had fallen
/ upon tho garment.
Her mother had always been creature
of gentle mold. She was one of an old
Massachusetts family, and no hardship
could ever make her coarse or unretned.
1t was comfort to think that she had
been blessed with such a mother. and the
girls heart achcd when she thought of her
passing away so young.
Her father did not notice her fearful
eyes. He was too much interested in the
news he brought.
Lett" he said hurricdly, there's q
handsome turnout coming over Long hill
and it's n city one, too, some ono coming
to drive n trade of some sort | suppose,
and you'd better spruce up bit. >"
Yes, father"
Take on that check apron, girl, and
don't let 'em think that my daughter ism I
as good as the best of them"
Lefty threw the apron aside and looked
Mt her swollen right hand. 1t panied her,
but she had not thought of II before. As
her father went out she recalled with
shame his misery habits, which prevented
them from keeping cheerful fire in the
, sitting room or parlor.
She had not time TO moraliZe much be.
fore the door opened and "a tall, handsome
man entered with her father.
MY dauEh5s Mr.. Langdon, Miss
Moore" her Atyer had said, and Lefty
raised her cytsego greet those of man
whose every lodi- bespoke refinement.
With atruo housekecpcr sinstinct Lefty
| remembered after the first greetings Were
over that her lardcr was in excellent con-
dition. and also that it would cheer her
dear invalid to SEQ such "A man in her
home.
She made no apology for her work. 1t
was given her to do, and it was well done.
\ good man would understand that,
sam and the stranger were friends at
once He had business interests near
Brookdale lie had driven up partly, he
said, to get "A little respite from business
and partly 10 look over his grandfather 5
deserted farm about l2 miles beyond
Perhaps Mr.. Moore remembered it,
Perfectly" said MIR, Moore, and for
somo reason he chose to be very agreeable
/ to the visitor
II have been in Europe for some time, "
said the visitor land have not taken the
interest | should have done in the old
! place. l propose now to put it in order
and devote it to some good purpose in
memory Of my mother, who was born
/ there"
1T is ono Of the loveliest spots among
our hills" Lefty said, land have often
wished that might own 1t.
II am glad to know that you like 1t, for
may possibly need your counsel and that
of your father in carrying out my plans,
said their guest.
1t was decided that Mr.. Moore should
drive over to sunny Slope farm on the fol-
lowing day with MIR. Langdon. Meantime
he was cordially invited to spend day or
two with the family until he could COM
pleto his arrangements.
In the evening he was taken to the in
valid's room, where, to the delight OF
both, it was found that his married sister
had once been playmate of Mrs, Moore,
1t was fine sleighing all about Brookdalc,