Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1842-06-09
on THE sronY OF JAMES AND MARY DUFFL

t L z o a l. l. I l..
90 that way madness lies let me shun that"
At the close Of one fine summers day, James
and Mary Duflil seated themselves at the door OF
neat little farm house TO enjoy the cool OF the
evening. All was still no sound was to be heard
within but the low breathings from The sleep of
two little boys, among whose siIkcu curls the
gentle breeze was playing, while the hum of in
sects aud the murmurings of the brook over the
pebbles, marked them as the only living things
abroad Mary Duflil had been more silent than
usual; when, with some hesitancy at so strange
a question, she asked James; 'What does the
spirit cost that you get at the shop every day
you come home from the feldP Twelve and
half cents answered James with entire uncon-
corn. Did you ever think asked Mary, what
that would come to a week 2 why no. an
swerod James, 'but can easily tell, six times
Severn said Mary. Aye true, replied James
seven you are always for coming right up to
the mark. don't 90 to the shop on Sunday,
you know: but then bring it home on Saturday,
because at noon always think ofit it is eighty
seven cents. l did not think it would come to
so much; it's nearly dollar; why it takes al
most days profit out of the week well,
James, said Mary, how much would that be
month"; Three dollars and a half answered
James; Il could hire man whole week every
month for that and then could raise good deal
more corn 'Ifit is SO much a month"; said Ma
ry, what will it come to in Year, James was
quick at reckoning, -'Forty-two dollars, said he,
how things will run up when they are put toge-
ther | never thought of only twelve and half
cents, and that | can pay any time, in corn or po-
tatoes, or any thing have. | wonder how much
our tea and sugar COST did you ever reckon 2
%, yes said Mary, six pounds of tea three dol
lars; fifty weight of sugar, five dollars Why
answered James, 'does that little spirit get eve
ry day, cost more than our tea and sugarl' Five
times as much, said Mary, 'and was thinking,
dear husband, if you could not give it up as well
as not, and not go to the shop any moreP oh,
yes said James, Il could at any time; | don't
care any thing about it go there because 9TH
err folks do, and it is pleasant TO hear the news,
and it would be mean, you know, to take up the
room, and not pay for 1t; and it makes me lit
tie stronger, suppose, though I'm as strong as
a lion now I'm never tired. TO day, Mary, we
had moving match, there were six of the stout
est fellows in town, and | cut two swarths to their
one
The next morning James Dufi said to his
wife, Il wonder Mary, what set you to thinking
about how much things cost guess,--I guess
you want new gown | almost said would not
try to pay for that wood this year, for l thought
that you might want something, g. it would take
from behind the hill, he took his scythe, and
whistling, went to his days work. At night, loo
king little arch, he said i saved my twelve s.
half cents to day, Mary. A fortnight after, he
went 10 a neighboring market and tbs next NOR
ming she discovered. lying in her drawer, new
gown: tear shot into her eye, at the generous
spirit Of her husband and yet a slight pain wa
felt at the occasion. He shall not think me'sel
fish, thought she, and long before night, she wat
ched for his return As soon as he came in sigh
his little children ran out to meet him, and hi
wife stood waiting at the door; nice supper wa
prepared for him He did not seem in any haste
he had an air of easy Indifference, touch of mo
desty as he silly glanced at his wife, and hang
ing up his scythe, he stopped, and kissing eac
of his Joyous boys. sat down with one on cac
knee. Il have paid the last dollar said he so
my farm, to day, Mary and now don't owe
cent in the world; it is as handsome farm a
there is in the county, for its size But whe
you paying so much, how could you Blu
me new gown! said Mary. Il was not so Sc
fish as want to have you give up any thing for mt
it was not gown | wanted but allow it is
very pretty one, and shall always wear it wit
pleasure 30, did not think So a soft expires
sion stealing over his hardy features. You ougl
to have it and great many other things, if | ca
get them; besides, it did not cost any thing.
SaNeu oil luOSt WE'VE dIu Il Hdll Genus lHtN Ut
ed to get me into the shop every day, but wei
straight by; they told me my glass all mea
ured out and they had rather give il to me tina
lose my company; but would not look, and sal
by-and-by, for thought Of you all the time al
now | don't care if never 90 there again; b
sides, sold the COW for more than expected,
that we are just as rich as if had not bought i
and FIVE get along as well as we have done, v
shall have all we want; our farm will bring
every thing we are likely ever to need, besides
great deal to sell, and will have a new house, al
these boys must go to school many one that h
gone to Congress was born in a house not bigg
than this; learning makes the man. putting i
hand upon the head of each Of his chubby 70
checked boys; with right conduct added the
happy mother. 'Yes, boys said their fathC
You must always behave well, if you want 20
mother should love you The last warm r
rays Of a summers sun never shone upon ha
pier family.
James and Mary Dulil had been married abo
l4nr years, aud there was no more promising
a3py couple in all the land. He had been tr
mod good farmer and she a nice housewife.
're they had but little to begin with they re
led a small farm; he had just enough to buy