Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-09-12
AIISCELLANY Y.
From the Southern Literary Messenger.
THE FOOLS PENCE.

liL WI - 1 h-iNtfI
In the year 1888, in n handsomely furnished
parlor, which opened out of that noted London
n-shop, called "The Punch Bowl" sat its mis-
Iress, the gaudily dressed Mrs Crowder, CONVEX
sing with an obsequious neighbor.
"Why, Mrs.. Crow der, | really must say you
have things IN the first siylel v hat elegant pa
perngl what noble chairs! what pair Of fire.
screens all go bright and fresh Then, the clc-
gam stone clippings 10 your windows and those
beautiful French wndow-irames And you have
been sending Your daughters TO the penteelest
boarding school your shop is the best furnished,
aud your cellars the best filled in all this part
OF Lunnun. Where can you find the neediu for
all these grand things? Dear Mrs. Crowder how
do you manage -
Mrs. Crowder simpered, and cast a look OF sn-
ling contempt through tie half-open door, into
the shop, filed with troulhy customers. - The
FOOLS pence It's the FOOLS PENCE that does il for
u.s. she said. Aud her voice more shrill aud
loud Than usual, with the triumph she felt
Her words reached the ear OF one OF her Gus
toners, George Manly, the carpenter, who Stood
near the counter Turning his eyes upon those
around him, he saw pnle, sunken cheeks, inhaIned
eyes, aud ragged garments. lie then turned them
upon The stately apartment; lie looked through
the door inio the pnrlor, aud saw looking glasses
and pictures, and gliding, and fine furniture, aud
rich carpet, and Mis- Lucy, in "A silk gown, at
her piano; aud he thought TO himself how strange
my left hand should be made TO TURN into all this
rich taery Oh my right
"Wel, sir, and what's for you p said the shr
voice winch had made the FOOLS pence ring in his
ears.
"A glass of gin, imam, is what WINS waiting
for but think I've paid The last fools pence that
| shalt put down on this counter Tor many long
day"
Manly haslened home. His wifs and his Two
little girls were seated at work. They were thin
and pale, really for want of food. The room look
ed very cherries, AMI their fire was small as
hardly 10 he felt yet the dullest observer would
have been sliuck by the neatness that reigned.
1t was a joyful surprise TO them his returning
SO early that night, and returning sober and in
good humor.
"Yuur eyes are weak tonight, wife, said
George, " or else you have beun crying. I'm IL
irald you work too much by caadIe-Iight"
His wife smiled, and SAID, ,Oorking does not
hurt my eyes; !" and she beckored TO her lite boy
who was standing apart, in a corner evidently
Us II culprit.
"Why, John, whats this see ?" suid his falli-
| or. "Come atS-teil me what you have been do
! ing" John was plain spoken boy, and had a
straightforward way. lie came up 10 his father,
aud looked IN his face aud said, " The baker came
| for his money Tonight aud would not leave the
! loaves without il but though he was cross and
rough, he said n other was not 10 blame that lac
was sure that you had been drinking AWAY al
| the money: and when he was gone mother cried
over bei work, hut she did not say anything.
did not know she crying, ill saw the Iears
dropping on her hands aud then raid bad words
aud mother sent me 10 snud in the corner"
"Icll me what your bad words were, John,
sad his iohet no, swearing hope"
"No," said John, coloring; " said you were
a bad man said bad, father !"
Sand they were bad words, nin sure" said
his mother "bu, you are forgiven ; SO now bring
Inc some coal from the box"
George looked at The face of his wife and AT
he met the tender gaze OF her mild eyes now
turned him, he ielt The tears rise IN his own -
lie rose up, aud putting money into her hands, he
said, " There are my weeks wages. Come, hold
out both hands, for you have not got all yet Lay
i, GU, for the best, as you always do. hope lhi'
will be Il beginning OF better doings OH my part
and happier days on yours"
George told his wife, alter the children were
gone 10 bed, that when he saw what the pence o
the poor could do towards keeping W fne house
and dressing out The landlord s wife and dnugh
ters and when he thought Of his own hnrd- work
ing, accomplishing Sarah, and his children, II
want, and almost in rags, while he was sillinl
drinking, night after night, destroying his healtl
and strength, he was SO struck with sorrow ant
shame, that he seemed TO come TO himself q. last