Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-04-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE DAIRYMAN's BILL.


A dark stormy morning in February is not n
time when any one, who has freedom of choice. will
leave warm fireslde for walk in the shelteress
streets. But with the worthy man whom we are
about to Introduce to our readers there was no al
ternative. Sandy Patterson was dairy man in
the suburbs OF Edinburgh, who maintained his little
family by the sale Of the produce of two cows His
wife and their only child, comey girl of nineteen,
were all Sandys household and every member of
1t took share of the labor which supplied their
few and humble wants. Their small cottare was
neat and clean, as were also the inmates them
selves though their countenances, on the rainy
February night in question, betokened depressed
and sorrowlul hearts. "Heaven speed thee, GUIDE
man" said the wife, Sandy Patterson threw
his plaid about his shoulders, and prepared to en-
counter the blast without. Heaven speed We or
else we'll be harred and ruined creatures the MORN
What NIGHT too to gang o'doors in Hap YOUR
sci up, Sandy, and pu' the bonnet firm on your
mead, Tor that wind Is enough to tear the coat off
your back. But the trial maun be made.n Her
husband drew his bonnet tightly over his grey and
scanty hairs, as he desired, and after speaking
a word OF hope and comfort, left his spouse and
daughter alone in their owly tenement.
The dalryman was too much Injured to exposure
at all seasons, to feel any great distress fiom the
sleety rain, which fell in titiul showers around him.
as he proceeded along the causeway SIDE toward
the centre OF the city. Few passengers were in
the streets that night; the many closed shutters
showed thatall who could remain within DOORS were
enjoying themselves in their parlors Poor Sandy
walked on, scarcely conscious of the Storm having
that on his mind which rendered him needless Of
any personal inconvenience. He reached at last
one of the most fashionable streets in the new
quarter of the city, and stopped in front of hand
some mansion, which, unlike the generality of
those around It, was not closed and suffered w.
On the contrary, brilliant flood of light came
from the windows, and the sound of music and
mlrth were audible even in the street. Sandy Pat.
terson was tho least envious of mortals still he
could not forbear signing as he listened and gazed.
with n SLOW step he mounted the stair of that a.
bode of enjoyment, as it seemed to be, and applied
his hand tlmidly to the bell. No answer followed
hls gentle pull the sound was perhaps drowned in
the reyelry within. Sandy pulled again, and with
very little additional energy Inan-seryant in
plain clothes, now opened the door, To the oues-
ton, What do you want z" Patterson REPLIED " |
am sorry to give you trouble sir, but | am the
milkman. have been once or twice of late. about
the bit account for the milk that the family has for
gotten; and though it's an untimeous hour. I
would be greatly obliged if it could be settled the
NIGHT | wad hae been aith to trouble We. but
am in sair want ont" The servant who had been
listening to this speech, with the door open to the
least possible extent, that the blast mipht not visit
the interior, now asked the petitioner to come into
the lobby while he should mention the matter 10
his MASTER Sandy, with many scrubbings of his
Feet did as he was required, and took a chair poin-
ted out to him. Here his patience, as he had a
great deal OF 1t, was not long tried. The man.
having gone up stairs, returned in minute or two
with the answer" 1t was not convenient to settle
the account at present; this was an extraordinary
time to come in question of money; he must cal
again in day or two-on Saturday. porbaps ON
Monday"
The answer was dreadful blow to the bumbIe
dun. The sum which was owing by this family to
him amounted to about five pounds but that sum
was OF the greatest consequence to him. He had
already called for payment pretty nearly dozen
times, although he had modestly mentioned but
"once or twice" and sad necessity alone had press
Cd hun to renew his claim on the present occasion
Unless he procured the sum he was in quest Of his
cattle and his iurnlturehis ALL in short--wouId be
seized on the morrow by legal execution, and
Drought to public sale. The disconsolate petition
er attempted, in language broken by the heayiness
OF MS aeart to make the footman aware of the
state oil matters; but seeing that his words made
not lie slightest impression, he drew his plaid A.
bout HIM, and turned away from the scene of his
disappointment. - '''
On returning to his home, Sandy Patterson we'll
nigh gave way to an agony of despair. Wtbont
hearing word from his lips, his wife and daughter
read IN his look the Illustration of their homes 50
they hae just served you as usual, Sandy said
the wife al last. '"'A