Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-11-24

least so said the people oil the village, when
they looked upon bis excellent farm, bis
well filed granaries, his sleek focks aud
herds, and counted up his mortgages and
notes upon interest. But could they have
looked into his heart, aud seen how II grew
hard aud selfish beneath this ever increas-
ing thirst for gain, they might have thought
otherwise. True, they knew that he grew
more aud more captious aud irritable, aud
that his ungovernabe bursts OF temp,r Of.
ten changed the brightness Of his freside
to gloom-but then. he was rieh--and
riches cover multitude OF Tins even in
country village.
la proportion to the success OF his avn
schemes IN pursuit OF wealth, his contempt
for the want Of success in others increased, ,
aud he did not fail to manifest il. ANY
man may be rich il he chooses 10 be" was
his constant reply to his wife aud daughter,
When they ventured TO offer some excuse
for their less successful neighbors. Josiah
Benton aud he had started m the world on
an equal footing as regarded property, but
now, scarcely day passed in which he did
not make his cousin ee the difference; bis
relationship giving him, as he thought,
About year previous. nn old maiden
aunt OF theirs had died, aud instead Of TAX
lug her property with her, as had always
seemed her intention, she left il to these
nephews, with the strict injunction that
they should settle the estale themselves, so
that none of her money should be squan-
dered in feeling probate Judges and clerks.
After many hot disputes and angry words,
they finally succeeded in dividing the
property but the alteration had reused
20 much bitterness aud Ill feeling-had
brought out so many things that they were
beut upon viewing as proofs Of wan, Of
honesty tina, the old woman's bequest
proved curse instead of blessing
Their wives were sensible, good-,empered
women. who understood their husbands
faults and foibles perfectly. They had en-
tered into a kind Of tacit compact not TO
let their brawls disturb their own friendly
relations aud it was the general opinion
Of the young people OF the village. that it
would take something more powerful than
q quarrel 10 disturb the close relationship
of love aud confidence that existed be-
tween young David Benton and Hannah
Barker.
Hannah fastened her steps when she
heard her fathers heavy strides behind her.
She was accustomed to his sudden bursts
OF temper, but this was the first time she
ever ventured TO interfere aud knowing
that his anger otsn turned against those
who strove TO check IT, she FASTENED on,
pIelerring to meet him in her molher's
presence rather than alone. As she drew
near the house, her mother called to her
and babe her gather up some linen that
was spread OH the grass by the foo,-palh
while thus engaged, her father passed her
without a look or word, aud with slow
steps she followed him TO the house. He
passed into the well-room, and finding his
wife's cheese basket and trays somewhat
in his way, he gave them kick that Sent
them tumbling 10 the opposite side o
the room then sending a pan OF sage
that the good woman had Just cut and pac
ed on q corner Of the sink, after them, h,
proceeded TO perform his ADDITIONS.
His wife was placing dinner on the Ia
Bile she sat down the great dish of veget
ahles that she held in her hand, and cast,
ing glance into the shed, exclaimed
"Why, Moses, what in the world are yol
doing there ?"
"Keep YOUR COMPOUNDED weeds aud tray
out OF the way, then. will you! 1t is NJ
place for them under foot and don
keep US here all day, waiting for dinner.
''Dinner has been waiting this half hour,
she replied, pleasantly then added in
low tone TO Hannah--"l wonder what ha
happened TO put father so much out Of sort
to-day 7"
Before Hannah could reply, he came in
/ followed by his hired men, who had bee
idling away half hour or so in the shade
S and all gathered round the table.
/ Barker belonged to that class Of people
/ who, when angry with one person, cannc
r speak peaceably 10 any one else ; and q
y he had rare talent for making his mood
) Of mind felt, the dinner passed of
n gloomy silence, occasionally interrupted b
$ some fault finding remark about the cool
. ing which he uttered in tone half wa
+ between growl and bark. When the
rose from The table, he ordered the boy
bring up his horse.
81 thought you did not intend to ha'
us use the horse rake any more to-day, :
turned the horse out" replied the boy
e "Who said anything about horse rakes
IS Numbered the old man, go 10 the pa
i ture and bring up the bay horse, and don
q stand there Cabling"
), While he was giving the men direction
u for their afternoons work, the hoy rclur
"a ed with the horse. and said inqurlngly-
II thought you owned the big oak III
d stands in the fence OIL the south side OF 4
" round pasture, Mr. Barker. ! met Jem D
VI Wis over The hill, and he said Sire Bent
s. owned il, and tina, he was going to he
- him cut il this afternoon. He said u
Palmer, The ship builder, offered him fl
nc dollars for it,"
st, lie, him cut il if he dare p mni'cr
c. Barker again and, as If in reply TO
O. words, then came the clear. ringing sou
n of The strokes OF the axe from the dir
" ton Of the disputed tree.
n, The men exchanged significant glanc
ad and started for their place Of labor, VIII
'ai Barker strobe across. the fields to 81
=. tina, commanded a view Of the tree. I
cd first glance convinced him that the DO
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