Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-05-01

Give mc another piece of chicken Charles,
il you please, was Mrs. Lighte's only re-
pl
What do they make instead of sweet po-
tatoes ! asked Lizzy, who was very fond of
the latter delicacy.
Mrs Lighto looked smilingly for her hus-
band 5 answer.
They do not eat such luxuries, my
child Mr.. Murkc is saving against he
grows old
why, father, we'll take care of you
when you are old and | mean to have n
/ home just like ours, sweet pot. toes and all, >
said the child yet the Murkes do have
some luxuries, for when the cake gets burnt,
Mary often brings the crusts to school for
her luncheon she says that her mother
told her that they'd make her breath sweet
but solid cake was poisonous | shouldn t
think she d give poison to her company
The ghost was bInished but the thrifty
woman, known as Mrs Murke, came one last
time to the home of Charles Lghte.
There was to be funeral on the morrow ::
the sofa by the iireside was empty, and dust
was gathering over the work box that stood
on the centre-table ; a group of children
were budding together, crying as if their
hearts would break
After the long life work, she had folded
her hands at last, and the corpse lay wait
ing for burial Carrie, the provident moth
er, the faithful wife. the good, gentle, sym
pathlzng friend and as Charles Lighte
stood watching her, with sorrow too deep
for tears. Mrs. Murke came to offer consola-
ton. She said
Yes, she was good, and kind neighbor
to me. shall never forget her early inau-
ence over my husband but, Mr.. Lighte, we
must not waste time in grief and every
sorrow has its compensatIons. You have
now one less to support in these hard times.
Your Wlie had great many chi dren, and
was ambitious for them, and liked to keep
up good appearance in the world. She
was an excellent woman. But you NAV
hnd another that will do a. well as she, and
save your money beside.'
'Ah,' broke forth the husband, too
grieved for anger, she spent for us; she
watched, and planned, and wasted all her
strength for our welfare; this house is full
of the work of her hands. My heart is full
OF recoilections of her patient love and in
dustry. l have too often panied the gentle
heart that is sleeping here, by repeating
your advice. Yesterday my partnership
with your husband dissolved to-day. Mrs
Murke, beg leave to dissolve my acquain-
tance with yourself.
And they buried her, that good Carrie
with the fruit Of her hands she had plant
ed a vineyard, and when she was dead her
husband and children dwelt therein
The Murkes added gold to gold, and
'ladcd their souls with that thick CLAW,
They built fine house, and gave great
formal party every year ; then covered the
furniture, packed away the silver, locked
the parlors, and lived In a few small back
rooms
Mr. Murke s daughters married early: to
escape the ungenlal home, accepted the first
adventurcrs that offered themselves, and one
by one came back to him, with wasted
health, and ruined hopes, and a family of
children. His sons rushed into dishonesty
and cxtravag tnce, and were a living dis
sr"so aud SORROW to the parents hearts.
Doing out, with many a sigh, the scanty
plttance which they consider needful for
the wants of their children and grandchil-
dren, Mr.. and Mrs. Mulke live alone in
their house, pore over newspapers and
dec Is, discuss stocks, bonds and notes, and
feel poor: as well they may, who have lost
their souls for the sake of gold which per-
ishcth.
all his wants. divides his time between
many households all copies of the dear one
he can never forget and in each he is ca
gerly welcomed and cared for with watch
lul love. His children continually develope
before his eyes the traits which he has now
learned to appreciate in his buried wife.
Theyhave taken the place in society torwhch
their mother fitted them, have married in
to good families, are surrounded with refined
friends, and make themselves attractive by
whatever among the comforts and eegances
p( Ii e., bo = - ,b.ir