The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-04-09
The Good Resolution.
by MISS s. c. EDGARToN.

Quite away from the dusky turnpike,
a small, quaint, moss grown house, dweli
Job Wodell and his daughter May. Job
had been a fisherman in his better days,
but, sad to tell, had been drawn away
from his honest occupation by the seduc-
tive charms of the village inn. There he
might be found from early morning till
midnight, scarce turning his steps home
ward to the frugal meals prepared by his
patient child, and leaving with her the
whole care and toll of providing for their
family necessities.
Happy was it for May, poor girl, that
her heart was as brave and hopeful, as it
was patient and loving. Whoever passed
her door on a bright spring morning,
might hear her voice, singing songs as
sweet and merry as though she had not
a care or sorrow in the world. And that
little quaint old cottage, who would have
deemed it the home of an inveterate tip
pier, with its neatly swept grass sward its
bed of fragrant carnations, Its honey-suck-
les, azalias, and mosS-roses.
Job loved his daughter May-was
proud Of her-and, save his great neglect,
always treated her with kindness In his
worst stages of inebriation, he exhibited
no phasis of cruelty; he was only excess
sively and shamelessly silly, and disposed
to lavish OH May world of foolish and
fondling caresses. May, in turn, was al
ways gentle and patient with her father,
never reproaching him for his vile alb
its, but often tenderly entreating him to
stay and assist her about her garden, or
to spend the long winter evenings with
her, instead of hurrying away to the 'Ad-
miral.'
One very beautiful spring morning JOB
stuck his old hat jauntingly on one side
of his head, and stood crowding the to-
bacco into his pipe, ever and anon cas-
ting wishful look toward May, who was
busily wiping the breakfast plates.
Can | do anything for you, lather!' said
she, looking with pleasant and encour-
aging smile.
'Ay, you're good girl, May, a bless
ed girl L hate to trouble you--but Just
now Pm all out of change-and curse
on these times, l say, when an honest man
can't get trusted for shilling to save
him from want
Dear father, will willingly give you
what little money have, but if 1 do we
shall be forced to 90 without dinner or
supper, l fear
Are we really grown so poor as that
All, well these are melancholy times
for us poor fishers. I'll not take your
money, May; l can win shilling from
Ned Watkins, any day, at nineplns, and
that will be easier THAI to rob YOU
oh, papa! you will not go to the
Admiral, to-day, but will help me plan
out my little garden, and transplant those
fine strawberry vines that yield us so
many dollars every year--Oh, dear papa,
] cannot tell you how happy you will make
me, how very gratefully shall remember
the kindness
Little need of my assistance, answered
Job, with good-natured laugh, and sly
wink, that sent the bright blood gushing
all over Mays dimpled cheeks. Young
er and steadier hands are all at your
service, and an old man like me would be
in the way
oh, no, no, papap said May, earnest
~ dropping her work and clasping her
arm In his, at the same time, lifting up
ringlv
Joo was touched Tears were unwon- |
'eu visitors to those Joyous and radiant
eyes, 30, at least, thought he, who saw