Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-09-17

my husband is very sick, and I've had to os up
with him all night for three nights
The shoemaker did not see the quality of the
work as he took the "uppers from the wo-
man s basket and made show Of examining
them. He was only thinking of the woman's
need and expectations She had performed her
part but not a single dollar had he in the house,
and how was he to perform his part
" How is your husband, to-day!" he asked
kindly, showing more than sympathy to give.
. Not so WE'LL replied the woman. I" |
have ran down for few minutes, and left him
a4one, cutie as mucHto set the money for my
work as to bring it home. The doctor has or
dered little wine, and must get it for him,
if it takes all have earned this week y
:" How much does your work come to
Two dollars" answered the woman.
The man went to his desk, aJd opening it.
took out his little cash box, and made pre-
tence of disappointment as he turned it towards
the woman. 1t did not contain single cop
per. Then every compartment was examined,
but with no better success
:" You are a little too early. Mrs. Blythe he
said, smilngly, yet regretfully, ga little Too
early. haven't received my collections for
the day. Shall send you up the money
The woman sighed and looked very much
disappointed.
~ am very SORRY, Mrs. Blythe, ,"-the shoe
maker did not manifest the slightest mpatience,
for he understood the case perfectly" but we
find it very hard, sometimes, to get in our bills
I've had Andrew running around all the morn
1 ing, and he hasn't collected single dollar 80
far It's strange how little rich men think OF
their obligations to us pcor mechanics, who
live nearly all the while from hand to mouth.
If could always get in my small bills,l would
be very comfortable As it is, | am always in
trouble about money"
Mrs. Blythe stood very still, and answered
not word. 1t was hardly possible for her to
leave her husband again and moreover, she
had promised to bring him home the wine
81 am very sorry, Mrs, Blythe" repeated
the shoemaker but what is, cannot be help
ed"
..True, true. l learned that long ago."
said the woman with balf-despairing sigh
g The lessons of poverty sink deep enough into
the memory"
IL will send you up the money in the course
of on hour or two. Andrew is going out with
Some more bills. will not trouble you to
CONC down again, as ysnr husband is SO ny
Still Mrs. Blythe fingered. How could She
return to her sick, exhausted husbond, without
the wine that was to send through all the
courses of his blood quickening spirit She
had felt as if this wine was to be the very elixir
of life, and since it had been mentioned by the
doctor, she had seen that her husbands thoughts
were resting upon it, to the exclusion OF every
thing else. To go home without it, therefore,
was serious thing, and might involve evil
consequences; for his condition was one OF ex-
treme prostration, and the slightest cause
might destroy the even balance of life just at
tanned, and throw a preponderance upon the
wrong side.
Slowly, at length, she moved towards the
door.
You will send up the money right soon, y
she said, turning partly around, and looking
back at the troubled shoemaker.
"The moment | receive it. Andrew is going
out Immediately with some bills
The door opened noiselessly; with noiselesss
steps dropping figure went out, and nolseless
ly the door was shut again. The only sense
that took record of the circumstance was that
of sight
Mr. Redwood the merchant, who thought
his shoemaker's bill of SO little consequence
that he would not take the trouble to draw
check to cancel it, left his store some two hour
after the visit of Andrew, and started home II
his late dinner. On his way he passed WINE
store and dropped in to order case OF choice
Amontilado the favor of which he tried and
approved.
:. Send it home within an hour. | wish
bottle for my dinner, said Mr.. Redwood as he
took out his pecket- book to pay for the wine
"It shall be done," was the ready answer
As the merchan, replaced his pocket-book
and was buttoning his coat over his breast,
poorly dressed, worn, and feeble-looking wo'
man came into tie store, and walked back with
an air Of timid irresoution, to where the two
men-the wine dealer and his customer-wer'
standing.
"Well, what's wanted said the wine
dealer in short, imperative voice.
"My husband is very fow, and the doctor ha
ordered him some wine" The woman sad
f pleading tone, made it very apparent to tn
t dealer that she had come to beg, and not t.
, pay
:" Has he, indeed The voice of the wine
dealer was hall-insulting.
IL failed to get money for my work, and
cannot 60 home without the wine. 0, sir, j
you II trust me for bottle, | will certainl,
come and pay you The money is earned, an'
it is promised to me this afternoon"
The wine merchant laughed sneeringly, as h
made answer
" 1t won't do my good woman The tiicl
is too stale"
. Bot, SIR
The urgency of the case made Mrs Blyth
! importuLate.
t : rhere--there That will do Go now
and tho wine merchant waved his hand towar,
the door impatiently.
! Mrs Blythe turned and went away, no
e speaking another word. The eyes of Mr.. Red
o wood were on her thin, pale face, and he sa,
\ there an expression that haunted him. ns we ar