Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-06-29

small to purchase bread and tea for the Sab
bath, and the quarters rent would be due
in few days. Mrs Howard, crushed in
health and spirit, lay sobbing on her hus-
bands shoulder, while her daughter Alice
was vainly endeavoring to soothe the infant
which was crying for the milk which nei-
Their the mothers bosom nor the fathers
hand could supply.
"My dear, poor wife" the miserable man
said at length there is no use in our re-
naming here and struggling thus against
misfortune. know there is living for
us somewhere in the world If you are
willing, poor love, we will sell our remaining
furniture, pay our landlord, and go West,
into some new settlement. The people in
such places arc kind hearted and free from
pride we can get a cottage aud garden
spot for triiing rent can get some en-
ployment, you and Alice can do our house.
work, and if the worst come, | know how
to work on a farm, and can get employment
as a day laborer." %
The wretched wife groaned, but she an
swered, "We will make the trial"
Mrs. Howard would not have been so
utterly deserted in her adversely if she had
been less naughty in her pamy days. True,
she did not intend to assume a false posi-
ton, but she actually believed, as she had
been taught, that she was better than those
who were grade below her father in point
of wealth, and those who were degraded by
a necessity to labor, she looked down upon
T as from an unreasonable height. Surely
they were not of her species, and could
have neither feeling nor affection in CON-
mon with her Adversely had not humbled
her, and she still claimed the homage which
had been paid to her wealth and not to her.
For now that the golden orb of wealth no
longer threw his glorious radiance upon
her, she found herself very inferior orb
amid the galaxy of the female world 1t
was rank, and fashion, and dress, and SNOWY
accomplishments, that had constituted her
charms; these had forsaken her and she was
only an ordinary woman.
Mr.. Howard gathered the poor remains
Of his utter wreck together, paid off consci-
entiously, all demands against him, and with
the triie which remained to him, turned his
face westward.
, Sickness among the children detained
him on the road and when he reached our
settlement he was destitute. Leaving his
: family at an inn, he walked out to seek a
shelter for them. His appearance excited
wonder, and, it must be added, suspicion !;
however, he at length succeeded in obtain
: ing permission to occupy for the present,
Mr.. Frosts old house; which, although it
answered his own family very well until by
industry and economy he had been enabled
to build better, was now deemed by the
family who left it scarcely year previous
t hardly habitabe But then Mr.. Frost did
t not require any rent. If they could live in
, it, they were welcome.
f But what were such fashionable people
, doing in that old house i'll our settlement
, Some thought that they were unfortunates,
, and some whispered that they were proba-
S bly, fugitives from justice.
These suspicians were strengthened by
Y the conduct of the family, who seemed to
= shun all familiar intercourse with their
G neighbors, and as country people always
S have plenty of employment for every hour,
! curiosity cannot be largely INDUCED, and
&, wonders are short lived among them, so the
S Towards and their peculiar circumstances
. soon ceased to he topic of conversation, or
, wondering speculation. But now, the cir
d cumstance of the lost bag of wheat brought
s them once more before the community.
/ But while the quiters at Mrs. Gray's were
c thus hazarding conjecture respecting them,
o how was the real state of affairs at Mr.. How
v ards? We will relate only what Aunt Sa-
C rah and her companion reported after visit
: of inquiry They found the house in the
n greatest disorder and the family in the keen
e est possible distress. Mrs. Howard was
!, moaning and shrieking Historically while
/ Alice, with voice choked and broken by
/ sobs and tears, was essaying every art tc
o soothe her. Mr.. Howard was pacing the
floor, with hands and teeth hard clenched
|, and face white as death; while the little
: ones huddled together in corner crying
: piteously. Mr.. Howard turned towards The
! visitors as they appeared at his open door
|, but Aunt Sarah's meek and gentle coun,en
" ance checked the wrath that seemed rising
s. to his lips, and he staggered back and sani
upon a bench like person fainting. Aun
Sarah approached Mrs. Howard, and tender
y ly inquired the cause of the sorrow that Sc
d afflicted the family. But the suffering lad,
" turned from her and seemed not to desire
st her sympathy. At length one of the little
= boys came forward, attracted, doubtless, b,
Is Aunt Sarah's gentle mien and voice, anC
v taking her hand in both of his, said
if George Frost told me that his father
l. was going to put my papa in Jail, because
1t he said papa was a thief 1t is this makes
e mamma cry so; but we were crying be
" cause we we're SO hungry We have had n
lr bread these two days, and now we have III
l. potatoes"
- The ice being thus broken up, Mr.. How
al ard confirmed what the child had spoken
Of related his history as sketched above, ant
* ended by saying that he had asked Mr.
at Frost to give him credit for few bushel
ie of grain, and had been refused that he ha
in written to friend in Ohio, and had re
I'd solved, if he should get an unfavorable an
C. swer, to end his miserable existence by sui
eide, before this last blow fell upon him.
of Aunt Sarah, with few sensible, gent
I'd words, quieted the stormy spirits of tn
ly household, reproached herself for havn
I'D been deficient in neighborly kindness, AN
re assured MIR. Howard that if his circumstan
ces had been known, he would have foun
en- a ready sympathy
he The good lady soon discovered that Mr.,
mt Howard was in violent fever, and Mr.
N Lacey left, promising to send her husban,
Il u. IL. IL A