Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-01-01

woman it's very we'll for them as is differ
emily situated but where ones lots cast one
must bide."
"Nobody's lot is cast in wickcdncss," ans
wered Lucy.
"'Thst's more than you can tell, )" said the wo
MAJ sullenIy, "You gentlelolks come among
us and bring us wine and doctors stuff, and no
doubt we ought to be thankful, for yours noways
obliged to do it; but for your readings and
preachings they can't do us no good, cause our
necessities is tronger than words printed upon
paper, and when maybe we might wish to be
better than we are, we can't--perhaps there's
them as won't let us-semetimes want won't
let u.s.
" All that you say is very sad" said Lucy {;
"but depend upon it, wickedness and impiety
can never improve anybody's circumstances In
the long run, though it may seem so for little
while.'
"We poor folks ha'nt no time to look for
ards" returned Mrs. Vennell. ave must find
bread for ourselves and our children from one
day to another, and if we can't get it by fair
work we must get it which way we can"
But disho aV a like false friends,
my good Mrs Vennell."
Don't call me good what am, an; I'm
no hypocrie."
And like you the better for that, and I've
the more hope of you"
Mrs. VenneIl shook her head, and could OF
be brought TO admit that there was any hope of
her but on the whole, in spite of this dlsavowal
Of amendment, Lucy's opinion Of her was i'm.
proved by these late opportunities Of observation
and she inclined to think, from several obscure
hints she had dropptd that her husband lived by
some dishonest practcrs, in which the wife took
her part more or less, though not without GER
tain regrets and longlngs after Il better state
What Vennels occupation was she did moi
know his wife said in answer to her inqirles
that he "jobbed about;" but she had never vel
happened to see him.
After some further conversation she took hel
leave, impressed with the idea that the woman
was more than usually uneasy and desponding
and that it was not like the despondency arising
from want Of the appreciation Of it, but mort
like the darkness af spirit clouded by troub
led conscience. The door Of the house opened
into u dismal SOFT Of lane. skirted on The oppo
site side by dead-wall of no great height, whlcl
divided it from churchyard one Of thos'
churchyards in the heart of the metropolis, abou
which so much has lately been written. Al
Lucy walked up the lane, a man passed her, il
company with deformed lad, who was appa
lently extremely tlpsy. The man was dresse
like a laborer, and she looked back after him
wondering if it was Venall. As che turned he
fend he turned too, and their eyes met for mt
ment; but the boy iceled about 80 distresstngl
that she hastened on to escape the disagreeabl
spectacle Hel thoughts good deal occupe
with the state Of the woman she had left, sh
had reached the neighborhood of her own hon
before she discovered that her bag was left b.
hind. 1t was tolerably capacious one, whc
she usually took with her on these expedition
as it would carry small bottle Of wine or an
other little matters she wished to distribute
and as it happened on the present it containe
about five pounds Of money, most of it belong
ing to the society. The loss of it, therefor
would be serious and although it was alread
late and would involve her not being home 4
the usual dinner hour, she thought, considerin
where the thing was left, it would be better I
return for ii Immediately; she retraced her steE
as rapidly as she could, entered the door of tn
house, which, for the convenience OF its varou
inhabitants, stood always open, and groped he
way, for it was now quite dark, towards Yer
nell's room, the door of which was aiar.
"What signifies ?" said man, as Lucy, heal
ing his voice, paused moment, hesitatin
whether to go forward" what signifies tol
you they wanted one for the lecture this evening
and there wasn't no time to stand shlly -shally
Set on the water to boil"
why couldn't you get one out O. the sam
place as you got 'em aiore?"
"Cause only got the order this morning, an
it arnt easy, woman There was a rumpus las
night out ut Isllngton, where them doctors wa:
and they was nigh taken; and'that's why the
sent 10 M. Make haste with the water vii
you? They'll be here aiore we're ready"
Just as he said these words, and as Lucy
having no notion to what their conversation al
luted, was about to advance into the room
whether it was chance, or whether he hear
some sound that awakened his suspicious, Ven
nell rurned bis head aud saw her standing il
The passage. To rush out, seize her by the arm
drag her into the room, and close b% the door
was the work of an instant.
"Don't scream !" said the woman, darting for
wards and laying her hands on Lucy's mouth.
"don't scream, and you shaD't be hurtf"
Lucy did not scream, but she answered wit
a trembling voice: " | came back for my bag
81 know what you came back for" said tn
man; 81 saw you watching me in the lane jus
now"
"Hush !" said the woman; " she did leavC
her bag here. Let her 60, John she came 70
no HARM"
But the man stood sullenly graspng her arm
"Sit down there!' he said tbrnsting her tow
ards chair" Sit you down there, | say. Maxi
yourself at home since you are here"
Terrified into silence, she obeyed, and HI
went behind her the woman followed him, ant
presently she heard a struggle, but no words
An ndescrbable fear that some mischief wal
preparing for her made her turn her head, ont
as she did SO her eye fell upou the bed, owe
which sheet was spread but under the shee
there lay form that made her blood turn cold
for she felt certain it was corpse. AT the SAINT
time the woman was holding the mans arm, ant
Z = l.