Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-11-06
FROM SILENT LIPS.


grandfather 8, while their father and
mother were abroad, they blew
through the house like gust of wind.
Doors slammed from morning until
night in spite of all that Aunt Jean
could do. Dear old grandfather, al
most wholly deaf, sat back in his cor
ner and watched the frolicking with
gentle eyes; but when the voices grew
sharp, as they sometimes did, he
WINGED, and when the doors banged
he groaned softly.
One day he called thirteen year-old
Betty to him.
my DEAR" he said, ''did you ever
know that as an old PERSONS ears
grow deaf they sometimes grow very
sensitive to noise? Doyou know that
it makes pain through my head
when you talk loud or slam that
door,"
81 should say I didn't K ow it, you
dear grandpa!" cried impulsive Betty,
perching on the arm of his chair and
kissing his cheek as she spoke.
81 was sure you didn't, child" he
went on, ''but that isn't all. Some
times, when we don't hear SO much
we see more. I've been watching you
since you came. Betty, and I want to
ask you to do me little favor. |
want you to form the habit, as you go
from one thing to another through the
day, of asking yourself, How will this
| affect others?''
Betty had begun to fidget. Brother
Rob was beckouing from outside the
window, but grandfather still held her
hand.
81 don't expect to stay here very
long, DEAR" he was saying, shut after
Pm gone my silent lips may speak to
you better than can to-day, and you
may remember what I say"
"Now, grandpa, don't talk like that!
You're going to be here long time
yet! There's Rob! He wants me-.
I'll be good, dear!" she added, in the
tone of one who humors a child, and
off she went.
But the very next morning, as Betty
was starting for an all-day picnic and
mischievous Rob had hidden her lunch
basket, there was loud alteration
that made grandfather put his hands
to his head and groan.
"Grandfather is trying to speak to
you, Betty" said Aunt Jean.
ayes, heard him, but I can't help
how it does affect others this time.
It's all Rob's fault. Give me my bas-
ket, sir! You're making me late!
There, you'd better!"
Selling the basket, Betty rushed out
| of the house and down the steps,
while the door slammed sharply be-
hind her.
When she came back, late that after
noon, there was strange hush
throughout the house. The other
children drew her in, close to grand
| fathers empty chair, and told her In
awed whispers how he had fallen
asleep there a few hours before, never
to wake again. The frightened girl
listened but not sound passed her
lips until Aunt Jean came, and put
ting both arms round her, led her to
the bed where grandfather was lying,
peaceful and still. Then Betty
| dropped on her knees and sobbed.
A month later the absent parents
were at home again, and they both
marveled at the change in thoughtless
Betty; but after day or two the
mother went to the father with tears
in her eyes.
"Betty has told me- something
beautiful she said. "The reason she
is 40 sweet and thoughtful is because
whenever che is tempted to do
ANYTHING selfish she imagines she
hears her grandfather's voice say
ING TO her, ssRetfv. how will this affect
| others?'' '-Youth's Companion.
Look Plea SAINT. Please.