Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-06-01

cOngenial quarters, which they soon
found on neighbOring side street.
The rest of the visit was, of course,
delightful, only the streets were pretty
crowded and noisy, and they couldn't
sleep very well at night; moreover
Reuben lost his pOcketbook with
small sum of money in it; so, on the
whole, they concluded to go home
Little before the two weeks ended.
When spring came Nancy returned
to her former mistress, ana her va
cant throne remained unoccupied.
Little by little the dust gathered on
the big velvet chairs in the parlor and
the room was opened less and less.
When the first green things COM
menced to send tender shoots up
through the wet, brown earth, Reu-
ben's restlessness was very noticeable.
BY and by he began to go off very
early in the morning, returning at
noon for hasty dinner, then away
again till night. To his Wife's re-
peated questioning he would reply,
sheepishly, "Oh, just loafin', that's
ALL"
And Emily was nervous, too. OF
late she had taken a great fancy to a
daily walk, and it always led in one
direction-dOwn past the little brown
house. OF course she glanced over
the fence at the roses and Iilacs, and
she couldn't help seeing that they all
looked sadly neglected. BY and by
the weeds came, grew, and multiplied;
and every time she passed the gate
her throat fairly choked in sympathy
with her old pets.
Evenings, she and Reuben spent
very happily on the back stoop, talk
ing Of their great good fortune in
being able to live in such fine large
house. Somehow they said more than
usual about it this spring,
One day, in passing this same little
| house, Emily stopped a moment and
leaned over the gate, that she might
gain a better view of her favorite
| rOSebuSh.
She evinced the same interest the
next two mornings, and on the third
she timidly opened the gate and
walked up the old path to the door.
y huXom woman with a big baby in
her arms, and bigger one hanging to
her skirts, answered the knock.
How do you do. Mis- Gray. Won't
you come in?" said she civlly looking
mildly surprised.
mo, thank you-yes-I meant
came to see yOu," stammered Emily
confusedly.
You're very good" murmured the
woman, still standing in the doorway.
your flowers are so pretty" ven
tured Mrs. Gray, unable to keep the
usefulness out Of her voice.
F.. "Do you think SOP" carelessly; 81
s'pose they need weedin'. What with
my babies an all, l don't. get much
time for posies." ..
oh please,-would it be too much
| trouble to let me come an putter
around the beds?" queried the little
woman eagerly. "Oh, l would like it
50 much ~
The other laughed heartily.
"Well, l really don't see how it's
goin' to trouble me to have you
weedin' my flowers; in fact, l should
think the shoe would be on the other
foot" Then the red showed in her
face a little. you're welcome to dc
whatever you want, Mis- Gray"
ooh, thank you" exclaimed Emily
as she quickly pulled up an enormous
weed at her feet.
It took but a few hours work tC
bring about wonderfully happy
change In that fOrlOrn garden, and
then Mrs. Gray found that she had q
big pile of weeds to dispose Of. Fill
ing her apron with a portion Of them
she started to go behind the house If
search Of a garbage heap. Around
the corner she came face to face with
her husband, hoe in hand.
why, Reuben Gray! Whatever il
the world are you d0ingW
For a moment the man was crushed
with the enOrmity of his crime; theI
he caught sight Of his wife's dirt
stained fingers.
"Well, l guess I amt doing no worse
than you bew And he turned hi!
back and began to hoe vigorously.
Emily dropped the weeds where sh,
stood, turned about, and walked
through the garden and up the hill
bordering many things.
Supper was strangely quiet tina
night. Mrs. Gray had asked a singh
question: Reuben, do you want tn
little house back?"
A glad light leaped into the OLE
mans eyes.
"Em'ly-would you be willln' to-"
After the supper dishes we're pu
away, Mrs. Gray, with a light shaw
overhead, came to her husband on tn
, back stoOp.
Come, dear; l think we'd better 6
: down tonight"
A few minutes later they sat stiff
, in the best room of the farmhouse
while the buXom woman and her hus
t band looked wOnderingly at them.
You want thnkin of selin', wa
~ bn0on DoubDn i'm Sipua