Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-11-07
IRASBURGH, VERMONT, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER G. 1856


from inside his waistcoat the remnant Of
a cotton nightcap, and held it towards the
schoolmaster's extended hand; but Mary
stood between her husband and his
temptation.
i "Put it up, child" she said; the
masther doesn't want it Be only had
mind to see if it was safe.' Then aside
to her husband, "Let fall yer hand,
James it's the devil that's under yer
elbow keeping it out, nibbling as the
fishes do at the hook; is it the thin shill-
ings of widows son you'd be afther
taking? It's not yerself that's in it at
all" Then to the boy" Put it up, dear,
and come in the morning.
But the silver had shone in the mas
, ter's eyes through the worn out knitting
4 the =" thin shillings," as Mary called
r them-and their chink aroused his avar-
! ice the more. So standing up, he put
r aside his wife, as men often do good
: counsel, with strong arm, and declared
: that he would have all or none and that
without pay he would receive no pupil.
: The boy, thirsting for learning, almost
r without hesitation, agreed to give him all
!. he possessed, only saying that the
!. Lord above would raise him up some
e friend who would give him bit, sup,
e and a lock of straw to sleep on" Thus
: the bargain was struck, the penniless
child turned from the door, knowing that,
o at least for the night, he would receive
shelter from some kind-hearted cotter,
and perhaps give in exchange tuition TO
e those who could not afford to go to the
e great master;' while the dispenser of
It knowledge, chinking the "thin shillings,"
e strobe towards well heaped hoard to
e add thereto the mite of fatherless boy.
s Mary crouched over the cheerful fire,
Q rocking herself backwards and forwards
Y in real sorrow, and determined to consult
the priest as to the change that had come
n over her husband, turning him out Of
U himself into something " not right"
This was OLeary's first public at
y tempt to work out his determination, and
e he was thoroughly ashamed of himself
If He did not care to encounter Mary's re-
h prcachful looks, SO he bent over his
blotted desk, and set with his back to
], her, apparently intent on his books but
is despite all he could do, his mind went
wandering back to the time he was a poor
/ scholar himself; and 10 matter whether
d he looked over problems or turned the
7, leaves of Homer, there was the pale face
d of the poor scholar, whom he had "fee.
g ced'' to the uttermost.
y Mary" he said, anxious to be recon.
2 ciled to himself, "there never was one ot
them poor scholars that hadn't twice a:
id much as they pretended"
S Was that the way with yerself
u, avick !" she answered. James pushed
back the desk, flung the ruler at the cat
te bounced the door after him, and went tt
q, bed. He did not fall very soon aslee-
at nor, when he did, did he sleep very
n soundly-but tossed and tumbled abou
in most undignifed manner; so mucl
lie so, that his poor wife left off rocking
lg and, taking out her beads, began prayin,
in as fast as she could and she believe,
d. her prayers took effect, for he soon be
y came tranquil, and slept soundly. Blu
Mary went on praying. She was ae
d. counted what was called the steadies
Id hand at prayer in the country but o.
Id this particular night, she prayed on with
Up out stopping until the gray cock, VIII
had crowed at four told her what tn
Ill time was, and she thought she might a
well sleep for a couple of hours, for Mar
ne could not only pray when she liked, bu
y sleep when she pleased, which is FIRE
, a quently the case with the innocent-hear
n ed. AS soon, however, as she hung th
9st beads on the same nail that supporte
d. the holy water, cross and cup, jaime
of gave groan and start, and called he
nd Give your hand" he said, that ma
ng know it is you that is in it l,'-Mary di
we so, and affectionately bade God bic:
him.
I'D "Mary, my own Ould darling" /
whispered, "Pm great sinner, and a
~ my learning isn't-isn't worth brai
it; farthing." Mary was really astonishe
.ry to hear him say this. "Its quite
t airnest / am, dear and here's the Ike
'ut Of my little box, and 60 and bring OF
he that poor scholor's nightcap, and tax
mt care of his money, and as soon as ii
mt day breaks entirely, 60 and find ol
* where he's stopping, and tell him L
OF never touch cross nor coin belonging