Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-03-13

her health, and, if so. must not be discontinue,
at any price, but the books wished that sh,
would not make me so many presents, vet
thanked her so cordially for each perhaps sh,
thought that was the way to give one most plea
sure. How could do otherwise. since indider
encc would certainly wound her
One night, when she requested me to tax,
her to ride, told her that feared we could moi
afford to ride so much. She looked up with a.
expression of astonishmcnt as she assured mt
that She intended paying for the horse Then
tried to explain to her that it was the same
thing as my spending the money myself, which
! was 20 carefully saving for house. Ii ever
| wished for woman's delicate tact in present
iing subject, calculated to injurc the feelings
II was then; before had spoken half dozen
sentences my wife was in tears. We had lit
tie scene but am sure T$oothed her as gently
as should have done six months before mar
riage blamed myself for telling her so alb
ruptly; She only blamed me that had ndulg-
cd those naughty thoughts of her for an instant,
without telling her She promised to be more
careful oil her expenses. though she hardly
thought it expedicnt to give up tSe riding, as
She ought to be ont of doors a great deal and
did not like to walk about the village. too
thought the rides necessary. but we concluded
That 1t would be better to hire ncighbors
horse, for an hour every pleasant day for the
next month, than to patronle the. livery stable
50 much. Carrie carefully kept account of all
the money She received, as well as of that she
paid out. she said. 1t was little singular that
her account book was out of place twice. when
casually expressed wish to see it, but | did
not suppose she cared to conceal il.
On the 10Th of September, my little boy was
born. need not write of my JOY at this event
Any, but father, would Judge me silly were
to express half the feelings Of that time and
young father will need 10 description to under
stand my emotions fully. 1t was little won
deriul to me to find my heart expanding so sud
denly How beautiful Carrie nv own Carrie
seemed to me IN her weakness, with the Hight of
love beaming from every feature Of her face
Then 1t was IA grand affair to name the baby and
IT was our own affair too we did not ask all the
aunts, cousins and neighbors to help us, not we.
nor did We call the DO, "Bub" till he was near
ly old enough to name himself We gave him
his grandiather's and his fathers names immc-
diatey. and thenceforth Charles Edward Clifton
was very nearly as important member of the
family as myse'f
Charlie required deal of his mothers time.
SO she was obliged to dismiss most of her music
scholars. Kate came to spend u few weeks with
Us, and brought Carrie an old pair of green Cog
giles; how comcally SHE looked with them on,
but she said they were Of no use now, as | had
remarked no very noticeable expression On her
face Of late.
How very fast the time flew, was irving
t. earn and save all ! could, for ! still desired
the cottage aS much rs ever. | read law with
determination to excel in my profession Hap
pinesN and diligence ever make time to pass
swiftly. One day, early in the spring of 1850.
Mr. Cotton remarked to me, that It would be
time TO ioreclosc the mortgage on Mr. Aliens
houSG in about two months. "Ah so soon ?"
L. he la hon |
'NeN. if not sold before he replied, but
hear he wishes to dispose of it now
As soon as Mr.. Cotton left me, went to Al
len. ! found him very anxious to sell his prop
received a letter iroin hrotn6r III , aif1rhia.
urging him earnestly to remove there. that
he was resolved upon going; and he was SO
sure that fortune was easily acquired there,
that the sacrifice of few hundreds, before he
started. seemed to him of little importance |
told him | wished the refusal of his house for a
couple of days, at the price he named | must
borrow money to make the purchase. would it
be best was in doubt, so went home to
consult my wife. When | had broached the
subject had scarcely time to notice the mis-
chlerouS expression of her eyes. before she had
taken the goggles from her work box. and nut
them on. remarking that her eyes were getting
weak and she thought the goggles might favor
them rs much a> shade. told her | would
get her some colored glasses that she might not
look quite so ridiculous, and we commenced our
deliberations on the contemplated purchase.
Carrie wished to know Just the amount nv
funds would fall short. Ttold her that if could
collect some bills which had in my hands.
should need but eight hundred dollars, but
thought probable should want one thousand
Carrie said if that was all | needed. she advised
me by all means To buy the house. She could
see no objection to nv borrowing that sum- as
she was sure | was doing well and could get
trusted for that amount. OfcourSc could but
! did not wish to do ; | begap.tc look on the
dark side. Even if should borrow the money
and buy the house, should We be as well off?
Should we not want great deal of new furni-
ture, and very likely we should be tempted to
extend my credit still further to keep up bet
ter style of dress and living Twas going on in
such croaking strain, when Carrie laughed out
right.
"Well, indeed" said she, Il think you are
making Yourself ridiculous. You came home,
you said, to ask my advice; told you to buy
the house, and since then You have given me
any number of reasons for not doing SO. Why
do you not ask me how much | have saved for
the purpose ~
Carrie threw the goggles to Charlie and left
e the room. began to see that the weak eyes
We're only weak inasmuoh as they could not
control their own expression, and was ready for
any amount OF money Carrie might bring to me
indeed, half expected she would reappear
with her apron full of change No such thing,
she came back, with nothing in her hands, and
seated herself demurely by me. Surprised,
said,
Carrie, can YOU help e?"
That is sensible question, and | answer,
yes, | CAM she replied, as she drew porte
monae from her pocket and handed me four
a.