The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-03-24
THE Two riHEsIDEs.


ton, i have something to tell you
Those who had been reading closed
their books. and the little ones lch their
playthings and gathered nround their
father. Mrs. Warton smiled 10 see
the interest manifested in the chldrcn's
countenances, and Ellen turned TO her
little sister of four years old, and bade
her hush. for father was going 10 tell II
story.
"A very short story, my children
said the Doctor. for it is told in few
words II is bleak, cold night. The
snow is deep, and the raw wind ia piling
it in drifts on the sidewalk. There is
no moon, and the street lamps burn dim
tonight. There are M sleigh-bclls
jingling; the only sOnnds in the street
ara the meaning Of the wind and the
crenking Of the signs. Young people
and old love to hover round their com
Portable firesidcs rs you nre doing, for il
- z" u'HHlhi bi-bh NHnbuis
j am glad to have warm house 10
shelter us tonight, said johnny.
And well you may be glad said his
father, and not glad only, bm truly
thankful. know one poor family
which is now shiyering with the cold
and aching with hunger. This morn
ing a man met me, and told me- ol u poor
woman who had sick child and said
he, i think they need doctor, but they
are too poor TO employ one asked
him 10 show me the ho1se, md when
entered ] found that doctor was in.
deed needed a little siH, about nine
years old, was lying on the bed very
low with fever. ! think she canhoi
live. A little boy, two years oder, en-
tered while was there, with an arm
iul of sticks, which he had picked up
from under the snow on the common
and this, save few brands that were
smoking on the hearth, was all their
fuel. The sick girl am afraid. can.
not live, and her moifs,r has no means
to make her comfortable doubt wheih.
er any Of the family have tasted moe.
sci Of supper tonight
But where is The Woman : husband 2
asked Mary.
That | do moi know lie ha, been
gone these seven years. ] knew him
when lac was worth several tbonsand
dollars, but a yilinDous partner deirnud-
ed him Of every cent. Poor Robinson
was almost broken-heartcd. He linscr-
cd about the neigbbortf,od for n while.
earning a living as be- cosIld, bot Gnally
decided 10 60 10 sea. Ills wife gave
her foil consent. Ne she va. able with
economy to prosi1e for herself and The
children by her needle. She did well
for while, bat sickness came upon her
and she Is now poor, very poor. Her
husband al different times sent her moa-
ey. and always @fote ~ though h. sero
doing well. But the ye.sel "a which
he WAS 10 have returned, three years
ago. has MOI been heard oG
And Was be- drowned r asked two or
thrrc at once.
i do NOT kno~, continued the doctor,
he may be living yet. bp, I fear be- has
perishcd bot, my children. Mn. Rob
in.on j. poor. While you are 70 cheer
ful and happy ia his comfortable ho.iss.
and lhis bleak, cold night, are snil,~r,d
around This warm FIRE, think Of Char.
hey Robinson. Charley ha. bal 40
Christmas thcr Is no New Years Er
him, for bic father may be Of the bot.
tom of the sea. HE mother is r,Dor,
and bis litllr sisler, fear, must de
John Mrs. Robinsoa has no money 10
pay the Doctor. Shall ! stay home To-
night 2
No, father erelsialsd John. eagerly.
go and zee her, aud you may take ny
half dollar.
'Ana mine. tai1 Mary.
And my cake ssid Ellen.
And bay Charley a roeting horse,'
said Willie
Gone. Children said Mfs. Warion,
james shaa load tLs hand-sisi siih
sod aud carry 3 blasksl anI q guilt
] Wi!l on he basket sab soaaeiLing Cor