Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-08-25

; lump at tnat! one uldu lei HiIn Steel
| till the papers was all made out.
thought / had done the best could
but | was always ready 10 go on an
help what could around the house
into the bargain. never could sit still
and let somebody else do the work.
You'll find that out"
"But we won't let you do anything
unless you want to, Aunt Leafy."
"All right; we'll leave it just that
way. But l was goin' TO say: OF all
sie unlucky men you ever seed, Ciliab
seat all. Why, everything went wrong.
Holes would come in his barn floor,
an the horses an cattle would fall
through an break their legs, so that
he had to kill 'em to put 'em out of their
misery. I used to think 1t would be
cheaper to fix up the holes, beforehand;
but, someway, it seemed easier for him
TO do 1t afterward. An his crops didn't
amount to anything; he ran in debt
| to hire help TO tend 'em, too. should
have thought il would have paid bet
ter to do some work himself; but, don't
you know, some men think a job of set
tin round at the grocery store pays
better than anything else. 'Twouldn't
pay me, but it seemed so to Ciliab. So,
first he knew the money / let him
have was all gone-every cent of it.
Seems as il most men would have seen
by that time that he would have to turn
over a new leaf, but Ciliab didn't; he
just KEEP right on, too. tried to do
what 1 could; but / begun to have
spells, when would all smother like;
couldn't seem TO git breath. An one
day Ciliab said, SEE he: Aunt Leafy.
don't know but you'd be better of
out to the county farm. It's a good
place for old folks. You'd have plenty
to eat, and nothin' to do The county
farm SEE !. just like that. For the
land sake, Ciliab. what be you thinkin
of? No one of my kin ever came TO that;
an amt a-goin' to be the first 1t
just took my breath away. But I see
that Ciliab's wife was at the bottom of
II, and I didn't know what in the
world TO do. An old woman like me
at the county farml i couldn't bear
the thought of 1t; but thought an
thought about it, an laid awake nights
over IL, till finally made up my mind
I'd go II the Lord wanted me to. May
be could do some little work out there;
wash dishes, maybe, or sweep the floor.
can't set still; l should die If I do.
But wanted to stop an see John be-
fore ! went; an ! won't deny that
wanted to see Johns wife, too"
The old lady put her hand out to lay
II upon Molly's arm.
after that, I'm ready to 30 on, If the
Lord Wills"
Something came over Molly's face.
which gave II very determined look
. you shall stay with us until you
are well rested. Aunt Leafy. You've
had hard time of it in this world.
haven't your"
"Oh, mol The world has used me bet
ter than I've used the world. But II
does seem good to set down here and
rest"
Molly put away her paper and pen.
The letter she had begun to write was
not finished that day. nor the next.
Still, something restful came into her
life to pay for her self-sacrifce. IT was
q comfort to have this bright old lady |
with her; she was so cheerful and so
helpful for one of her age. Many a
weary hour passed swiftly away chat
ting with Aunt Leafy.
For long time she said nothing
about continuing her journey to the
county farm. There was a thorough I'M |
Outstanding between John and Molly |
on that point, however; and neither,
by word or deed, did they refer to the |
subject. Some way, the roses came |
back to Molly's cheeks. Was IL that |
Aunt Leafy saved her so many steps, or |
because her simple presence had called
her thoughts into other channels?
Bright and early one morning Aunt
Leafy was up and dressed. When the
work was all done she went into the
room she had occupied, and soon came
out with the faded bonnet and thin /
shawl on.
I'm going on to-day, Molly" she
said. in return TO Molly's look of in
quiry. "I've made you a good, long |
than expected to; but
It's bin so good and restful here ]
couldn't bring myself to think of the
farm. know I've waited longer about
goin' than l ought to. So I'll set down
under the porch an wait for the stage. |
It's so nice and cool out here. I feel
kind O smothery this morning. I'll get
over IL after I've rested little while"
Snow, Aunt Leafy," began Molly.
firmly, 1--WE can't let you go in this way.
and we are not going TO do it. John
and I talked ii all over long ago. and
we are agreed that You shall never go
to the farm. So just take off your
things and stay. Sit down under the
porch If you wish; but never think any
more about going away
The tears came into the old woman's
eyes.
"You're real kind" she said IN