Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-12-29
DECEMBER 90, 1858
From the Main Rural.
Sunshine and Shadow.

No wonder that Mrs. Webster felt tired and
dispirited She had worked since morning. 1t
was Saturday, too, and she had scarcely got her
baking that was to last over Sunday, into the
oven, although it was already afternoon. A
hot. misty afternoon it was too: The clouds
had hung low all day. and she was overcome
with the heat witout, and the still more oppress-
i've heat within, that she was obliged to have
in order to do her cooking.
To add to her embarrassment, little Fred, the
two years old boy, had clung constantly to her
skirts; the tighter, perhaps, because he had
been often pettlshly repulsed. His frock, that
was put on clean IN the morning, was smeared
with smut and ashes from the stove, and
inolasses he had drained from the piece Of bread
his mother had given him, in the vain hope of
keeping him still moment.
81 believe, Freddie, you delight in dirt, )"
said the tired mother, as she looked, half in
pity, half in vexatlon, upon the little, dirty, up,
turned face, ouer which the streaming tears
were washing two little channels. What
looking child you are. declare, it's impos-
slble to keep you clean, and itsno sort of use
to try Do let 60 of my dress, Freddie, never
shall get my work done in the world -
Everything had gone wrong the wood,
which, in clear day, would have, burned up
bright, could hardly be coaxed into 1t blaze;
the wind was in the wrong direction, and the
stove would not draw, but kept sending little
jets of smoke into the room, which did not tend
to Tighten the atmosphere. Ofcourse the oven
was not well heated, and consequently the food
was badly cooked.
Poor woman no wonder she felt vexed, as
she sat down by the window and took up the
peevish child, little rest could she get with the
great boy in her arms, and the clouds deepeu9d
upon her brow as she looked out Of the window
just as splendid carriage moved leisurely
along, drawn by two noble-looking greys. The
occupants of the carriage looked so cool and
comfortable in their light summer robes, that
she could not imagine they felt the heat, Or,
indeed, the influence of anything unpleasant.
"Ah !" she sighed, Mrs. Bond does not
have to drudge all the time. She can ride in
her carriage and never lift her fingers, while |
have to delve from morning till night. She has
servants to wait upon her, while have to be
servant to the whole household.
Then her thoughts wandered back to the time
when she and Mrs Bond were girls, and at
tended the same school, although the parents Of
Mrs. Bond were very wealthy, and her own
poor. She thought how she had exccllcd her In
all her studies, and often acted as prompter in
hcf rectations, much to the proud girls ammo y.
anse. She knew she was far better fitted intel.
lectualy. to fill Mrs. Bonds position in society,
than was the lady herself. She looked at her
brown hands, grown hard with labor, till few
traces of their former symmetry were visible
and wondered if Mr.. Bond would recognize them
as the same he had once so earnestly solicited
her to yield to his keeping telling her they
were too faultlessly proportional for life O.
labor. and if she became his wife, they should
perform no harder work than that of touching
the guitar. She remembered the gossping
remarks made by the villagers about her reject
ing the wealthy gentleman, who came to tht
country to spend his summers, and accepting
the village blacksmith. She almost wondered
at it herself now, although she remembered tba
he despised her pa rents and all their surround
ngs, and sought her only for her fair face.
But she sighed, = if had married i
wealthy man, should be above the necessity
this wearisome work !"
She remembered hearing her husband sa.
that Mr. Bond was penurious almost to mean
ness with his workmen-that he declined pay
ing him the regular price for shoeing his horses
and when Mr.. Webster told him he had but on
price, he replied that he guessed quarter les
would do, laid the money upon the anvil an
left che shop. She knew he had the reputatio
r of being very cold, undemonstrative man, an
his wife of being dissatisfied woman.
But" she thought, ." it might have bee
, different"
r True, there was great contrast between tn
brown curls, and handsome, manly form of he
, husband, and that OF the little, weired l,IGin
Mr.. Boud but fatigue and vexation obscure
= everything from her vision but the ianccd re'
4 that gold would bring The green vines twine
f gracefully with the climbing roses about tn
). window from which she looked, but she did NJ
See them to-day. The tasteful yard decorate
; with fine flowers and beautiful trees. shared tt
q same fate There seemed nothing but gloo
!. in all the world, to Mrs. Webster. Her ow
r heart was not mistress some evil spirit ha
i usurped its place.
r. "Well, its of no use, sitting here repininI
# have chosen my own lot. Freddie, you mu
j, get down; your father will come in soon, tire
and hungry, and no supper ready for him
h declare she continued, as she turned to ii
ii clock, :. 1t is almost supper time now -
st This only added to her discontinue, for 81
/ prided herself upon her punctuality, and Il
, good old fashioned hour of FIVE was their te
e time in the long summer days.
is There comes your father now," she adde
y while unknown to herself, her face brIghten
~ n little as Mr.. w Wehster entered the yard. Al
~ the sight of him would have made any ia
sr look sunny from the reflection of his own,
r bright and happy was his expression. Il
=. loose irock was open at the neck, and his sleev
Ia rolled up lust as he left his work; and as
A. lifted up his hat, and brushed back his hair
y high, broad forehead was disclosed to view t
= whiteness of which was in marked contra
IS with the ruddy checks beneath. He motto
IL without remark the wearied looks of his vii
y and advanced to Fred, who sprang with sho
at -, r.L, Il.