Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-01-24
MISCELLANEOUS.
From Chambers Edinburgh journal.
SIMON SANKEY'S SHILLING.

From Chambers Edinburgh Journal
SIMON SANKEY'S SHILLING.
On steep hillside, soping down to one of our
lovely English rivers, stands small village look
ing so still and sequestercd, that no one would i'm
agine that the prelter part of its inhabitants are
weavers, employed in a silk mill little higher up
the river How it has preserved its primitive rural
nppearance it is difficult to say; perhaps the own
er of the above mentioned mill, struck by the PTS
turesque, beauty of its detached cottages, follow
ed the example Of the original inhabitants, aud
built similar ones for his work people for the hill
side is dotted over with cottages OF every Variety
from among which rises the taper spire of the wi
lage church, surrounded by its quiet burial ground
There is, however, one exception to the general as
pect of the village. At the foot Of the bill is one
row of cottages facing the river, with gay flower
pots in 'front.' sloping to the waters edge, and lar
ger gardens behind, divided from each other by
thick thorn hedges. In one of the ceanest Of these
cottages. with the trimmest flower pots and best
stocked garden, there lived at the time knew
Westleigh, a certain Simon Sawey, or rather to
speak more correctly Mrs. Simon Sawley, for she
being the more authoritative person, the residence
was always so designated in the village. Simon
was a well-mt ing, good injured, lnoiienslve
sort of mana good hand at his work; but not
celebrated for great power Of intellect strength
of mind. His wife was pretty little woman, with
soft brown eyes, fine clear complexion, a neat
compact figure, and mild expression of counter
ance. Her voice sweet and subdued in its
tone, and to Judge from appearances, you would
have pronounced her the meekest and gentlest of
her sex. But, alas, appearances are proverbiay
deceitlul-a truth to which, no doubt, we can all
testify: but none with more reason than poor ST.
mon Martha Sawley, to use her own phrase, was
"not woman to be put upon by any body" which
meant that she a woman who would have her
own way in spite Of every body fact, like many
mild looking, smooth-spoken women, Martha pos
Al. 10 Nbc that
entreaties nor threats can soften or subdue. She
never scolded, she rarely lecturcd, but quietly and
steadily pursued the settled purpose of her soul
REGARDLESS alike of the wishes convenience of
others. If ever it happened that she met with
more than usual opposition, she would assume the
air OF deeply injured person, maintain Cbsti-
nate silence, or when absolutely obliged to speak,
answer only in monosyllables; and, in short, fall
into sulen fit, from which nothing short of the
most entire submission to her will could rouse her.
1t was rarely, indeed, that honest Simon ventured
upon any thing like opposition; for, though not
possessed of an extraordinary Development of Ell
Their the arithmetlcal or reasoning poweis, he had
learned, from experience, TO count the cost before
entering upon the war, and to avoid contest which
must end in total defeat. There was, however, one
point upon which, though he had no longer ventur-
ed any open resistance, he secretly INDUCED in
feelings of rebellious and nsubordnate nature
Mrs Sawley insisted that he should every Satur.
day bring home to her the whole Ct his weeks wa
ges, without any deduction whatever. This OF
course was quite right, and what every good hus-
band does or ought to do (; but this was not all
for she was wont to remark, "men are but men al
the best and frai creatures" therefore it was bet
fer not TO put temptation in their way; "besides
for her part, she could not see what a man who
had wife to provide every thing comfortable ol
him. could want with money" He worked for it,
and she spent it, to the best advantage Of course
and that, in her opinion, was the order of Proyl-
dence.
One lovely evening towards the latter end OIL
spring. Simon was busy in his garden. 1t happen
ed that he was occupied near the hedge which divi
ded his territories from those of his next neighbor
Like most remarkable individuals, Simon had his
eccentricities one of which was a habit, when any
affair of moment weighed on his mind, Of INDUCING
in audible soliloquy; and as he worked, he talked
to the following effect: "Well, it is too bad, that
it is; thirty shillings week, let alone odd jobs
and never u farthing to bless myself with Ton
Jones said lie would not stand it, if he was me
he'd be master. But its easy talking; he knows
nothing about it.; he is MT married and don't know
Martha. Well never mind. I've got-yes, herr
it is, safe and sound-pve got shilling; | har
shilling that nobody knows nothing about
And after gazing at it tondly for minutes, hc
put it again into his pockeIs which he buttoned vi
carefully, pulled his 'waiscoat well down, and pat
ting it several times to make sure there was m
outward and visible sign of the hidden treasure, h
resumed his work with great self compacency. |
is commonly said that stone walls have ears; ant
it has been notorious fact, ever since the days o
King Midas Barber that woods and groves ar
the most treacherols confdants. Certain it is tina
Simons secret no longer his own; 1t passe
into the possession of another, through the nstru
mentality of the before mentioned hedge
However, Simon continued his work in bssfu
ignorance, until the sound of Martha's voice fror
the back door warned him that supper was ready
That night he lay awake some tine longer tina
usual, revolving in his mind how he should dispos
of the bewildering sum in his possession. First b
thought OF purchasing himself new fishing rod
then of buying fine tulip for his flower garden
Various temptations Of similar nature presente
themselves to his Imagination; but to all there wa
one grand bection-inqulres were sure to b
made as to where the purchase money came from
Martha would get to know all about 1t, and thi
would never do; so every idea Of the kind was dis
missed entirely Then he determined to keep
until good opportunity occurred OF proving to h
fellOw-workmen and acquaintance, and especial
to Tom Jones, that he had money and could sren
it on glass of ale or mug Of porter with the be-
of them At last bright idea struck him: h
would-yes he woud-put it into the savings
bank. With a mind set at ease by this laudab
resolution, Simon fell asleep, and drerned that h
shilling had, in an incredibly short space of tim
accumulated to such degree, as TO enable him
purchase COW, two pigs, and stock Of tulips TIL
made his garden the wonder and admiration Of Il
whole village The next morning proving, to h
great satisfaction, wet, Simon lin order to put
execution the plan he had formed) proposed takn
his dinner with him to the mill, instead ofreturnr
home at noon Having happily accomplished h
purpose with little trouble-for, as it was washir
day, Martha was perfectly willing to have him o.
of the wayne set of, walking with the conscol
dignity of man worth something, AS he passe
along he was much surprised to find himself Il
IF ntt al |,
quires as to his health, state Of mind, and futur