Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-02-23


calculate TO keep about square with the world,
and who consider themselves particularly for
tunale if they keep out Of debt. He was now
thirty yeas Of age, and bad three children to
provide for, besides himself and wife, and this
together with house rent, was a heavy diaught
upon his purse, even when work vas plenty,
but now--ihrre was nothing.
Maria, said he, stopping and gazing his
wife in the face, I'VE must slarye. | have not
a single penny in the world
But do not despair, Peter. Try again to-
morrow for work. You may find something
to DO. Anything that is honest is honorable
Should you make but shilling a day, we
should not siarye.'
But our house remit
Trust to me for that. The landlord shall
not turn us out. II you will engage to fnd
something to do, will see that we have house
room
''I'll make one more trial. uttered Peter,
despairinRly
But you mus, go prepared 10 do anything.
Anything reasonable, Maria
What do you call reasonable
'Why-anylhing decent
The wife felt inclined 10 smile, but the mat
ter was too serious for that, and cloud passed
over her face. She knew her husbands dis
position, and she felt sure he would find no
work. She knew he would look for some kind
Of work which would not lower him in the So
cial scale, as he had once or twice expressed
it. However, she knew ii would be of no use
10 say anything 10 him now, aud she let the
matter pass.
On the following morning, the last bit Of
food in the house was put upon the table
Stanwood could hardly realize that he was pen
nyless and without food. For years he had
been gay, tboughiless, and fortunate. making
the mos, Of the present, forgetting the past,
and leaving The future TO take care Of itself -
Yet the truth was naked and clear; and when
he lefl The house, he said, something must be
DONE
No sooner had the husband gone, than Mrs.
Stanwood pat on her bonnet and shawl Her
eldest child was girl seven years old. and her
youngest four. She asked her next door neigh
Dor il she would take care Of her children I'M
I'll noon. These children were known 10 be
good and quiet, and they were taken cheerful
iy Then Mrs. Sianwood locked up her huuse
and went away She returned at noon, bring
ing some dinner for her children, and then she
went away again. She came home in the even
ing Lefore her husband. carrying heavy bas-
kei upon her arm.
We'll, Peter she asked, aner her husband
had entered and sat down, what luck -
Nothing nothing he eroaned. Il made
out 10 get a dinner from an old chum, but
could not find work
And where have you looked, to day
'O-everywhere. I've been TO hundred
places, but ii's the same story in every place
It's nothing but one eternal no-no-no I'm
sick and tired of H.
What have you offered to do =
why, even went so far as to offer to tend
liquor stole down town.
The wife smiled.
Nov what shall we do = uttered Peter,
spasnodicslly.
why, we will eat supper first, and talk the
matter over
Supper Have you anyl'
'Yes-plenty of it,
But you told me you had none
Neither had we this morning, but I've been
after work to-day, and found some
'You, You been after work 2 uttered the
husband in surprise
Yes
But how-where-whatp
why, frstl went TO Mrs. Shows. knew
her girl was sick, and hoped she nigh, have
work to be done. ! went TO her and told hel
my story, and she set me at work, a, once
doing her washing. She gave me food tC
bring home TO my children, aud paid me ihres
shillings when got through
'What-you have been out washing for OIL
Butchers wife = said Peter, looking very much
surprised.
'of course ! have, and have iherby earned
enough to keep US in food through tomorrow
at any rate so tomorrow you may come home
10 dinner
But how about The rent =
%, have seen Mr.. Simpson, told him Just
how we were situated, and offered him m,
watch as pledge for the payment of our ren
within two months, with the interest on arrear
ages up to that date. told him the busines,
because you were away hunting up work.
so he's got your gold walchl
] No-Hc Noulun Nahc II. ne sdlu IL
would become responsible for the rent, he woul'
let il rest
Then we've got roof to cover us, and foot
for tomorrow. But what nextl What cuTsl
these hard times are =
Don't despair Peter, for we shall no, siarve
I've got work enough engaged 10 keep us alive.
'Ah-what is that'
why, Mr.. Snow has engaged me to carry
small packages, baskets, bundles, and so forth
to his rich customers. He has had 10 give uI
one Of his horses
What do you mean, Maria =
Just what say. When Mr.. Snow cam,
home to dinner, was there, aud asked him
he ever had light articles which he wished Il
send around to his customers. Never mind al
that was said. He did happen 10 want jus
such work done, though he had meant TO ca
upon the iders that lounge about the market
He promised to give me all the work he could
and I'm to be there in good season in the morn
ing
| aNy III Il. Z. NJ