Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-08

TUT WHVh tIlnes ne WOulu nave DceO
as strongly charged with ineanness as no is
now. Better let il go as il is. No doubt
he has good reasons Tor his condust."
Thus Mr. Green and Lizzy defended Ed
wltJ, while the mnther and Jane scolded
about his meanness TO their hearts content.
Edward Moy6ed, the lover Of Lizzy
Green, was a young man of good princi.
piles, prudent habits aud really generous
feelings but his generosity did not consist
IN wasting his earnings in order that he
might be thought, liberal and open.hearted,
but in doing real acts Of kindness where
he saw that kindness was needed. He had
saved from his salary, in the course Of four
or FIVE years. enough to buy himself very
snug house, and had few hundred dollars
in the Savings Bank with which 10 furnish
il when the time came for him TO get mar
ricd. This time was not very far off when
the Christmas, TO which alusion has been
made, came round. At this holiday season,
Edward had intended TO make both Lixzy
and her sister a handsome present, and he
had been thinking for some weeks as TO
what il should be. Many articles, both
useful and merely ornamental were thought
of, but none Of them exactly pleased his
fancy.
day orlwo before Christmas, he sat
thinking aoout>the matter, when something
or other gave a new turn TO his reflt clions.
They don't really need anything" he
said to himself, land yeti < propose to my
self TO spend twenty dollars>in presents
merely for appearance's sake.\Is this
right :"
Right il you choose TO do it," he re-
piled TO himself
81 am not so sure Of that" he added.
after a pause. And then he sat in quite
musing mood for some mirules.
"Thats better" he at length said. ris-
ing up and walking about the floor
THAT would be money and good feelings
spen, to better purpose"
"Bui they'll expect something" he ar
gued with himself; "the family will think
so strange of il. Perhaps I'D better spend
half the amount in elegant books for Lizxy
aud Jane, and let the other 90 in the way
propose"
This sus,.s,;on bovev.r did mn, s,,;sfv
hin, "ps,,a, 10, !, III j., ,ha ,,,,a. AZ
reciion," he said, after thinking awhile
longer; sit will do real good. The time
will come when | eau explain the whole
matter If necessary, and do away with any
little false impression that may have been
formed"
To the conclusion at which Edward ar.
rived. he remained firm. No present oi
any kind was made 10 his betrothed or her
SISTER. and the reader has seen III what light
The omission was viewed.
Christmas eve proved to be one Of unu.
sual inclemency. The snow had been tall.
ing all day. driven into every nook aud cor.
ner, cleft and Granny, by piercing north
easter; and now. although the wind bad
ceased to roar among the chimneys and to
whlrl the snow with binding violence into
the face of any one who ventured abroad
the broad flakes we're falling slowly bul
more heavily than since morning, though
the ground was covered already 10 The
depth OF many inches. II was night ir
make the poor feel sober as they gathered
more closely around their small fires, and
thought OF the lew sticks OF wood or peck,
OF coal that yet remained OF their limited
store.
On this dreary night. small boy. who
had been at work in a printing office al
day, stood near the desk of his EMPLOYER
waiting TO receive his " eek's wages and O,
home 10 his mother. a poor widow. who's,
} slender income scarcely sufficed 10 civ,
food In her little household.
"You needn't come tomorrow. John.
said the printer. as he handed the lad IN,
two dollars that were due him for the week,
! work tomorrow is Christmas"
) The boy took the money. and after lin
gering a moment, turned away and wake,
towards the door. He evidently expecie,
something and seemed disappointed Tn,
printer noticed this, and al once compre
hended its meaning.
"John" he said kindly.
The boy stopped and turned around a
he did so, the printer took up half dolla
from the desk, and holding it between hi
fingers, said
You've been very good boy, John
and think you deserve Christmas gift
Here's half dollar for you"
!! Johns countenance was lit up in an in
slant. As he came back to get the money
the printers eyes rested upon his feet
u