Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-11-28
A GOOD DAYS WORK.

I've done a good days work, if never do an
other said Mr.. Barlow, rubbing his hands to-
gethcr brskly, and with the air of man who
! felt very mucsplcased with himself
And so have L. Mrs. Barow's voice was in
lower tone, and less exultant, vet indicative of
a spirit at peace with itself
Let us compare notes. said Mr. Barlow. in
the confdcn, manner Of one who knows that
triumph will be on his side, and see which has
done the best days work
You. of course returned the gentle hearted
wife,
we shall see. Let the history of your days
doings preccde mine.
NO said Mrs Barlow, you shall give the
very WELL And, full of his subject, Mr.
you remember the debt of Warfcld, about
which I spoke a few days ago|
Yes
i considered it desperate--.would have sold
out my interest at thirty cents on the dollar
when left home this morning. Now the whole
claim is ture. l had TO scheme a little. 1t
was sharp practice. But the thing is do' e.
don't believe that another creditor of Wariield
will get third of his claim.
The next operation continued Mr.. Barlow,
Il consider quite as good. About year ago |
took fifty acres of land in Erie county, for debt,
at valuation of five dollars an acre. | sold it
to-day for ten. | don't think the man knew
Just what he was buyng lie called to see me
about it, and asked ten dollars an acre at
venture, when he promptly laid down one hun
dred dollars to bind the bargain. If ] should
never see him again, | am all right. That is
transaction number two. Number three is
pleasant TO remember. l sold lot OF goods,
almost year out of date, to a Young country
merchant, for cash. He thinks he has bar
gain and perhaps he has; but | would have
| let them 20 at any time during the past six
months at loss of thirty per cent, and thought
the sale desirable one.
Now, there is a good days work Jenny, and
it is one to be proud OF. take soma credit to
myself for being, upon the whole, pretty
bright sort of man, and bound to 20 through
Let us have your story now
The face of Mrs. Barlow flushed slightly
Her husband waited for few moments, and
then said
Let us hear of the yards of stitching and the
piles of good things made
'No-nothing of that answered Mrs. Barlow,
with slight vail of feeling covering her pleas
ant voice 4 had another meaning when l
spoke of having accomplished good days
work And now, as my doings will bear no
comparison with yours, think of declining
their rehearsal
"A bargain is a bargain, Jenny, said Mr. Bar
low. Word keeping is cardinal yrtae. SO
let YOUR story be told. You have done good
days work in your own estimation, for you said
so. Go on, am all attention.
Mrs. Barlow still hesitatcd. But after lit
tie more urging, she began her story of Il good
DAYS work. Her voice was little subdued,
and there was an evident shrinking from the
, subject about which she felt constrained to
speak.
Il resolved last night said She, after passing
some hours of sclf-examination aud stlf.up-
braidings that would, for one day, try to pos
sess my soul in patience. And this day has been
the trial-day. Shall 90 on?'
Mrs. Barlow looked up with n timid half
bashful air at her husband. She did not meet
his eyes, for he had turned them partly away.
Yes, dear Jenny, 80 on The husbands
!. Luoyancy Of tone was gone. In its place was
something tender and pcnsiye.
Little Eddy was unusually iretfpl this morn
r ing, as YOU will remember. He seemed per-
verse; thought-cross, as we call it. l was
tempted to speak harshly two or three times /;
but, remembering sy good resolution, put on
the armor of patience, and never let him hear
a tone of my voice that was not loving tone.
D Dear little fellow When went to wash him,
after breakfast, found just behind one of his
!, I ears small infamed boil 1t had made him
It slightly feveriSh and worrisome all day. o
wasn't glad that patience had ruled my spirit |!
After you went away to the store, Mary got
into one of her bad humors. She didn't want
to 90 to school, to begin with; then she could
not find her slate; and then her shoe pinchnd
i her. felt very much annoyed; but recalling
t. nv good resolution, | met her irritation with
, calmness her wilfulness with patient admoni-
!, ton, her stubborn temper with gentle rebuke ;
It and so | conquered She kissed me and
e started for school, with cheerful countcn-
ance. with her slate in her satchel, and the
pinching shoe unhceded. And so had my re-
ward.
!. but my trials were not over. Some extra
r, washing was needed. So | called Ellen, and
* told her that Mary would require frock and
m two pairs of drawers to be washed out the baby
'e some slips and you some pocket handkerchiefs
~ saucy refusal leapcd from the girls quick
: tongue, and indignant words to mine. Patti.
d ence patience whispered small still voice
l. stiHed, with an effort, my feelings restrained
my speech, and controlled my countenancc
ar Very calmly, as to all exterior signs did lock
,v into Ellen face, until she dropped her eyes tc
a the floor in confusion.
.. You must have forgotten YOURSELF said |
nd with some dignity of mann'r yet without q sigr
of irritation. She was humbled at once COZ
e. lessed the wrong, and begged my pardon. for
gave her, after reprOof, and she went lack L
the kitchen, something wiser, | think, thar
when summoned her. The washing requir
he ed has been DONE and well done; and the cir
er has seemed all day as if she were endeavorin,
at to atone, by kindness and service, for that has
IN, ty speech. If mistake not, we were both i'm
proved by the discipline through which we pass
;. ed.
y Other trials have had through the da,
G Some Of them quite as severe as the few whie