The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-03-02

"Are you a cobbler ?" he asked as he
entered
Il was two minutes ago, sir ; but I'm
an old feudal baron now sir ! Lady Gropp
is going to ride out, sir, and I'm to attend
her,"
Eh-are you the man that does mend
ing mending of boots and shoes 2" asked
the visitor, moving back pace, as though
he feared the strange fellow before him
was crazy.
Yes, sir" answered Jareb, Pm the
man. But, you see, my wife hasn't walked
out for more'n a month. Just tossed off
the last bit of work had in the shop.
I'd hurried it amazingly, and was just
agoin' to take run down by the river
with her and the little ones"
"Aha-I see," said the old gentleman
smiling. Now you just run and tell your
lady to wait for you half an hour, and I'll
satisfy her for it. am in a hurry. The
stage leaves in an hour, and my boot has
given out. Come, you won't refuse to as
sist me under such circumstances ?"
Hi dunn de fol.lol Well l s'pose I
must stick to my business'
Thus speaking, Jareb left the shop, and
when he returned he put on his apron
again and settled into his low seat. The
old man took off his cloak and sat down,
and the cobbler pulled off the fractured
boot. 1t was ripped badly.-Jareb made
him stout wa1ed.end, singing merrily
the while. and when twas ready he took
up the boot
"You seem happy fellow" remarked
the visitor, after he had watched Jarsb's
good natured face awhile.
why shouldn't I be- owe no man
anything-have my health-and love to
do my work. Tol.de.rol de lardo."
You've laid by something, suppose,
for a rainy day?" pursued the stranger.
"Ay, thousands upon thousands of dol.
lars, sir" cried Jareb giving his awl a
furious punch.
"What ? SO much as thatn'
Z" Ha ! I'd like to show 'em to ye, sir,
only they might have dirty faces. Seven
Of 'em, sir Seven of the best natured
children ye ever saw. sir, stout and rug.
ged too,"
"Ah! mean to ask you if you had
not managed to lay by little money, my
good man. You seem steady and indus
trious."
Money" repeated Jareb, with COM
ical leer. "Does a man lay by money
when he's building himself houses and gar
dens 2 No, sir. Nor does a man lay by
money when he makes half crown day
and rears seven children. Them leetle
'uns will take care of me when l am o,d,
never fear, no, no.
Money or gold, in boarded store
have none of It'll have none;
live aud breathe. do no more
To-day Its curse, Tomorrow bone,
Fol de rol ol de lido,
And I'm the happiest man alive
Fol de rol lol de lido
"Then you live content on your scanty
store ? said the old man, regarding the
cobbler rather enviously.
"Just as contented as the day is long,
sir-And why shouldn't L? I won't
starve while there's crust of bread in
the house, Or a ripped shoe in the village.
should like money if l could have it /;
but l wouldn't pass one day or night Of
discomfort for all the money in the world"
"And if you had money what would
you do with it p
For the first time Jareb looked sober.
His awl was stopped in the punoture it
had made, and his eye rested vacantly up
on the Aoor.-When he spoke, all his
lightness of manner was gone, and his voice
was tremulous.
"Well, I'll tell ye," he said, while the
twitching of the neither lip told that be
felt deeply.-'I can't help thinkin' that
my little ones aren't coming up as some
folks little ones are.--Thsy are good and
honest, and happy; but if they could have
q chance to get leetle more larnln' thar
their poor old father got, I shouldn't
mind. I can't help thinkin' as how't there
might be bright mind or two ampngs
them, that might make doctor, or law
yer, or may be minister. But nevel
mind-they're in Gods hands. I dom
complain. Complain |" repeated Jareb
thrusting his awl through, and then pul
ling it out-why should II" how many
rich father would give all he's worth j
his children could only be different frSn
what they are9 Sickly and weakly, ma
be, or perhaps bad and wicked. Iii
There's no such a word as complain,