Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-06-24

he was honest and obliging, and moreover
he was the only shoemaker in the village. |,
is not, therefore, to be wondered at that
work came in rapidly.
Now Robin was not only very good
workman, but he was also very cookbook
ing young man. His figure was well-pro-
portioned, and he had bright eye, and
white teeth, and dark hair which fell in rich
! curls over a smooth open forehead and, as
he sat by his cottage door, onsa summer eve
ming, singing at his work, it may readily be
supposed that many a bright eye peeped
from beneath its dark fringe, and many a
rosy lip disclosed the pearly teeth within,
as it parted in a smile of greeting to the
handsome young shoemaker, as the village
maidens passed and re-passed, on their va
rious errands of business or pleasure. Rob-
in had funny smile and a'merry Jest ready
for all, but after they were gone, he return
ed to his work and his song, with heart as
light and as free as ever Yet there was
one gentle, quiet girl, perhaps the only one
who took no notice of Robin, and, probably
for that very reason, because she did not
look at him, he was particularly anxious to
look at her. But this is not a love story
therefore, the sooner we come to an end of
this part Of our tale, the better. Suffice it
to say, that, "where there is will there is
way" and Robins will was to become ac-
quainted with the pretty Alice and to make
her his wife. All this in due time he ac-
complished.
And now, instead of sitting alone in his
porch on summers evening at his solitary
labor, Robin had pleasant companion al
ways with him, to tighten his toll with her
cheerful conversation. And, while he work.
ed with his awl and his last, she would sit
by his side, and ply her needle with skillful,
busy fingers.
Robin and his wife were very happy; they
loved one another, and they were general
tavorites amongst their neighbors, and Rob
ms business went on prosperously.
But clouds will arise in the brightest sky
After they had been married nearly year,
an infectious fever broke out in the village
Alice, who had recently become a mother,
and could not leave the house at the time,
escaped the disorder but Robin, trusting
too much to the strength of his constitution
would not be persuaded to take precautions.
He went constantly to the houses of his sick
neighbors, bringing them such assistance as
his own means would allow him to give
and, in some cases where the nurses had
fallen victims to the disease, and others were
afraid to undertake the dangerous office, he
remained night and day in attendance upon
the sufferers. AT length his strength failed,
g. he was seized with violent attack of fever
For many days there appeared to be scarce
ly hope of his recovery. At length, how
ever, the disease took favorable turn, but
he was reduced to such state of weakness,
that his life seemed but to hang upon a
thread.
Weeks, months passed away, and still
Robin was feeble and weak, and quite unfit
for any eXertion, either mental or bodily
During the time of suffering and danger,
Alice's thoughts were too much occupied
with the dread of losing her husband, for
any other fear to enter her heart; but, now
that his life was no longer in danger, and
she could direct her attention to outward
circumstances, sad truths began to force
themselves upon her mind.
For months, Robin had been unable to
work consequently, for months he had earn
ed nothing. All the little he had saved du-
ing his prosperity had been spent in reliev-
ing the wants of his sick neighbors and
now there was the doctors bill, and house
rent to be paid, and nothing to pay them
with. They sold all they could possibly
spare of their furniture, and even their clothes
to pay the doctor. Their landlord waited
as long as most landlords wait for a poor
tenant-that is, till he could get a better
and then he told them he should take pos.
session of their remaining furniture for his
rent, and that they must quit his house that
day week.
1t was on the eve of the day on which
Robin and his wife, and their helpless babe
were to be cast houseless wanderers on the
wide world. 1t was also on the eve of the
first anniversary of their wedding-day They
sat together before the dying embers of ;
wood fire; it was gloomy evening in No
vember the rain beat heavily against tn,
easement, and the wind howed through tn,
leahess boughs; and Robin shuddered as 1t
looked at the gentle Alice and her babe
and thought of the morrow. They were 81
lent, for they had only sorrow to speak OF
and each feared to add to the grief of thu
other, by giving utterance to sad thoughts
Alice was slowly rocking the cradle of he
sleeping infant with her foot, and, as sh
looked on its calm, peaceful little face, larg
tears coursed one another down her pal
cheek. She was started from her revert
by sudden exclamation from Robin
have found it out, Alice have foun
it out !" he cried, as he snatched burnin
brand from the hearth, and held it so as t
throw its red light upon the part of the foo
Immediately before the place where he sal
Alice gazed at him as if she thought hi
troubles had turned his brain But wha
: that was which he had found out" mu:
be reserved for another chapter.
| The floor of the cottage in which Rob-
Maynard lived, was paved with large fiji
/, stones, and on one of these was an inscriI
ton, which not only had the simple occl
q pants of the cottage failed to decipher, b,
!. which had been proof against the unite
8 learning of the school-master and the paris
9 clerk. 1t was as follows
/, eli. FIN. Eup. Andy. o. Us. liza. Lis. f. f.
u VII. Att sh DID. Emu. Nde. RIM. f."
As Robins eye wandered vacantly ov'
e the floor, his glance had been suddenly a
'. rested by the appearance of these letters
u He had often pondered over them before,
o vain, but now, they seemed all at once to a
u range themselves into words.
u Look here, dear Alice" he said "loc