Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-15


be confessed that few human beings have "a
fountain Of sympathy which will sustain drain
OF four or five years in one direction without
at times running dry.
As if conscious Of this, invalids are very apt
to make up for the deficiencies Of others 10y
bestowing all their own sympathies on them.
selves; absorbed in their own suf.rlngs, they
forget all Others Mrs. Durand was no excep-
ton to the general rule, or she would have
observed that her husband was growing pale,
thin, wrnkled and care-wOrn. He was strange
ly ent-minded-he came up to her room
after dinner several times, and sat there silent
and moody; il she addressed him, he replied at
random, and she made no attempt at converse
ton.
She was lying on her couch one evening,
when MIR. Durand entered the room. She did
not look up she hardly spoke-for she had felt
unusually ill all day, and her head was still
tlrrobbing painfully, Her husband approached
her, and stood by her side.
MARIA said he, g should like to talk
you little, if you are able to bear It,"
Something In his voice startled her he look
ed up, and for the first time saw how haggard
and changed he had grown.
What is 1t she cried starting up, g how
fearfully pale you look. The children''
Are perfectly WE'LL" he replied.
Has anything happened to you, Robert?"
Maria - he said, hardly needing her words,
/ am ruined-bankrupt.
Hs buried his face in his hands. and his
whole frame shook with emotion. In an in
slant his wifes arms were round his neck, her
kisses on his brow, and her voice whispered
words of comfort
But you, dear Maria, he said, " feeble as you
are, what is to become of you? could bear
it myself but to think Of you and the children
it almost humans me"
Is all lost?' she asked.
81 fear so. My honor, thank God, will re-
main unstained but nothing will be left after
the payment of my debts"
"And how did it happen?'
Her husband briefly told her of his misfor-
tunes, which were mainly owing to losses at
sea-for he was largely engaged in navigation
he rehearsed his struggles, told of his sleepless
nights and anxious days, and Maria listened
with moistened eyes and parted lips.
my own dear husband !" she said, at last,
kissing him fondly 3" and what are your plans
for the future ~
81 have made mono as yet. have been
overwhelmed in the present trouble. The flu
/ ture looks dark, Indeed. When think Of you
in ill health, requiring every comfort, and yet
feel that l shall be unable to supply your
wants"
He stopped, for his voice was choked with
emotion.
"Do notspeak SO sadly, Robert. The future
to me does not look dark. You made your own
fortune-yOu can do it again and as for me, l
have lived In luxury many years, do not for
get that was once poor country lassie, and
lived very happy without the many appliances
Of wealth that you have bestowed upon me.
Dear Robert, let US submit with a good grace
to our present troubles :"
Mr.. DIrand shook his head sadly. You
speak lightly, Maria, of giving up luxuries,
for getting that they have grown to be necess
ties to you. Ifyou were strong and well, it
would be different; even then it would be hard
to exchange this house for one suited to oul in
come, or rather lack of income and, instead of
having servants to do our bidding, to wait not
only on yourself, but Oh others
" 1t is very pleasant to be waited on, I ad-
nit, said Mrs. Durand, +" but can do without
it, and have not forgotten how to sweep, and
make beds, and bake. Try me, and you shall
see that am as good cook as our French
artistic. We will be happy yet, Robert. Riches
are comfortable but poverty shall not make us
miserable.
Cheered in spite of himself by his wife's spirit
Mr.. Durand began to talk Of the future, and
the evening which began 50 gloomily, ended
quite pleasantly.
Robert DurAnd felt already like new man
his wife's sympathy lightened the load which
had well nigh crushed him, and he set about
the settlement of his business with fresh cour-
age.
From the wreck of his fallen fortune, he came
out with large stock of self-respect--for no
man could charge him with dishonorable
cOnduct-and very small amount of capital
with which to begin the world anew.
Mrs. Durand, meantime, was not idle. 1t