Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1901-04-12

ELLENEEN.

sister opened the door and came in.
Ellen had only arrived from Ireland in
the late autumn; she was still a green
horn, in spite of the first snow and
several weeks steady work in the cot
ton mills of the next town, and even
in spite of fine American hat which
waved it's feathers in a sort of angry
indifference.
Mary AIMS two babies were play
ing with a puppy, and the three young
creatures seemed to cover the whole
floor. There was a door open be-
hind them into a comfortable bedroom,
and a bright clean oilcloth on the
floor of the kitchen; there was a gay
little clacking clock on the high chin
ney shelf above the stove, with a pair
of shining lamps. Everything was
cheerfully clean and thrifty in the
warm little place, and Mary Ann her
self looked as if she were able to keep
her housekeeping up to the highest
standard.
well, there now" she exclaimed
with an almost Ostentatious air of
hospitality. How are ye the day,
Elleneen? | was after wishing you
here a minute ago; how come you
out?"
I'm loafing for the afternoon" said
the guest disconsoately. There
was something stopped wit the ma
chine-ry. | wish fast enough | was
out altogether. I'll never get learnt,
| anyway; me mind amt on it,"
oh go way" responded Mary
| Ann vigorously.
"'Tis thrue for me. I'm getting
pay now only for their being so short
handed but me mind amt on it nor
! in it, so it amt
Mary Ann made an inarticulate
sound signifying contempt.
Il fought I'd come over an give
yez a lift wit the houseworrk,' ven
turned Ellen somewhat timidly.
We'll, I'm obliged to your kind
ness" said Mary Ann amiably. I've
enough to do, It's thrue for me. That
biggest one, Hinry there, was roaring
all night wit the ear-ache, and I'd
small chance to sleep"
Coon, Hinry, COON an see aunty
| Ellen" said the visitor, who was still
standing, and turned now to show an
interest in the three playmates.
We'll, I'll go lay me hat in on the
bed; they might be picking off all
me feathers if our backs 'ould be
turned
mo, no. give it here to me; Hinry
d be on the bed after it aiser than
amy place" exclaimed Mary Ann
anxiously. Give me your jacket too,
an I'll put them here. see, on the
hook behind the door. Sit down wit
Yourself by the stove an rest a while
till we tark a bit. What's all the
news
I'D rather be doing something, "
protested Ellen.
We'll, I've me ironing most done,
answered Mary Ann, an I'll be think
ing what I'd best do next. FaiX, I've
enough of it. Hipry. there, amt got
a whole frock nor dacint petticoat to
put on. He's the torment, anyway.
The smiling Henry toddled over to
his young aunt, and made an attempt
at familiar speech.
Ills sweeties he do be asking for,
explained the intelligent mother. mo
more sweeties IL he get, the day, can
tell him.
Did you get nice sweeties the day
darlin'?" asked Ellen with ready sym
patty as she lifted the solid, unwil
ling little shape to her lap, whence he
promptly slipped to the floor again
to stand facing her at safe dis
lance: and begin a second series OF
perfectly unintellgible remarks.
PITY for you. you ont learn to tarR
like a Christian; a great man of
shild like YOU" scoffed his mother
with assumed severity. See how
well your aunty cant get the sense
of a word you say. It's of the nice
grocer man he bees tarking, thai
niver comes inside the door less
there's a sweetie in his pocket fol
Hinry Wen, then, you should have
the pride TO tark like other folks, as
I'm always advising you
Henry had not more than reached
the age of two years, but he was eVl
IDENTIFY animated by fiery spirit thai
served him well in the place OF eXpe
I rience. He now stamped his little
! foot and protested loudly, but his
elders went on talking over his hea(
with perfect indifference, and present
w he returned. not in the least sulky
to the lively company of the smaller
p baby and their friendly little dog
I'm sorry enough that | ever come
: out" Ellen announced regretfully
70 after a pause.
= Amt you the big fool" remarked
+ the elder sister, who was well mar
= ried and settled in good tenement
E which even afforded best room and {
I magnificent piano lamp with yellow
silk shade a wedding present giVel
by her mans associates at the gas
l. house Il never saw the half da.
f | wanted to go back she continued
n Il might like just to see the folks an
make little visit of two-tree weeks
Himself was having great tark las
night about his own old folks, ant
sometime he'd get a couple of month
: off an we'd go home. He'd like wei
= to show Hinry there to his fadel
= What tark you have of goin' home Xix
= a lord, says L. for mesilf I'd rathe
!, the money was well in the ban
I than spending it on them dirty ship
goin home I'd like well enough L
see me mother too" she added NOR
softly; but Johns a great boy t
e spend his money if | want sharp wit
him. I've deceived him that a goo
: deal wint to pay the grocer's book
e that's safe in the bank this minute
4 Only last night he come home wit
e suit O. clothes for Hinry there, tina
d was a good three sizes too big. III
d all put back wit me ironin'; | had t
go carry EN- back to the store thi
', morning soon as me dishes was done,
e "Tis better than the stingy kind,
s sighed Ellen.
80 "Aint you downhearted the day.
y Loafin' amt good for YOU said Mar
l. Ann as she came briskly to the stov
& for hot iron and stood for momer
holding it near her cheek. "WhiI