Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-10-20

paul, anu uou sSS why Az mo hoS W N'-S
as well first as last"
To this Mr.. Walcott made no answer. The
words but added another pressure to the
burden under which he was already stagger-
ing. After silence of some moments, Mrs.
Walcott said:
1.-The Goals are all gone"
Impossible Mr.. Walcott raised his
sixteen tuns.'
81 can't help it, if there were sixty tuns
instead of sixteen-they are all gone. The
gilrs had hard work to-day to scrape up
enough to keep the fire in"
There's been shameful waste some
where" said Mr.. Walcott, with strong en-
phasis, starting up and moving about the
room with a very disturbed manner.
80 you always say, when anything runs
out" answered Mrs. Walcott rather tartly.
" The barrel of -four is gone also; but sup
pose you have done your part with the rest
in using it up"
Mr.. Walcott returned to his chair, and
q gain seating himself leaned back his head
and closed his eyes as at first. How sad.
and weary, and hopeless he felt! The bur-
dens of the day had seemed almost too heavy
for him but he had borne up bravely. To
gather strength for renewed struggle with
adverse circumstances, he had come home.
Alas that the process of exhaustion should
still 20 on-that where only strength could
be looked for on carth no strength was given.
When the the tea bell was rung, Mr. Wal
colt made no movement to obey the sum-
mons.
"Come to supper said his wife, codly.
But he did not stir.
Are you not coming TO superb she
called to him as she was leaving the room.
II don't wish for anything this evening"
My head aches very much," he ans Sered.
In the dumps again." muttered Mrs.
Wacott to herself Its as much as ones
life is worth to ask for money, or to say any
thing is wanted )" and she kept on her way to
the dining-room, When she returned her
husband was still sitting where she had left
him.
Stall bring you cup of tea? " she
asked
"No, l don't wish for anything"
Whats the matter, Mr.. Walcott? What
do you look so troubled about. as if you
hadn't friend in the world? What have l
done to you ?"
There was no answer, for there was not a
shade Of real sympathy in the voice that
made the queries, but rather of querulous
dissatisfaction. A few moments Mrs. Wal
colt stood behind her husband but as he did
not seem inclined to answer questions, she
turned away from him, and resumed the en-
lployment which had been interrupted by the
ringing of the tea-bel.
The whole evening passed without the oc-
currence of single incident that gave a
healthful pusation to the sick heart of Mr.
Walcott. No thoughtful kindness was mani
tested by any member of the family; on the
contrary, narrow regard for self, and q
looking to him only that he might supply the
means of Disqualification.
No wonder, from the pressure which was
on him, that Mr.. Walcott felt utterly dis
couraged. He retired early, and sought to
find that relief from mental disquietude il
sleep which he had vainly hoped for in th'
bosom of his family. But the whole nigh
passed in broken slumber and disturbin,
dreams. From the cheerless morning meal
at which he was remineed of the quarter
bill that must be paid, of the Goals and fou
that were out, and of the necessity of sup
plying Mrs. Walcott's empty purse, he wen
fo tn to meet the difficulties of another day
faint at heart, almost hopeless of success.
confident spirit, sustained by home affections
would have carried him through; but unsup
ported as he was, the burden was too heav
for him. and he sank under it, The day tina
opened so unpropitiously closed upon him
ruined man !