Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-03-07

bdI EIOHu euuuehly TlCn. pnc udN Us they
were riding gaily by miserable looking
| hoVel, in the suburbs, with broken windows
aud doors off the hinges, mud hole near.
and the Iigs looking through the doors at a
besotted man as If they sympathised with
and had fellow feeling for him in his deg
IA alton, Mr.. Thomas Gray said to his wife
-"how would you like to live in such place
as that, my dear ?' "Not at all, Of course. 3"
was the reply. There is no knowing what
, may happen, said he .my friend there,
Mary Bell, was three years ago to all ap-
pearance- as well of as you are to-day but
her husband speculated high, lost, took t.
drink, and there she is :"
Il can't help that, }" answered Kitty, mo
drunkard can put me into such a place as
that
"Don't be too sure, deary," saId Thomas
Gray.
"Sure ~ answered Kitty with spirit, IL
am just so sure as this, there Is not man
living whose fortunes | would follow down
30 low as that
What would you do, pray, let US know
the secret?'
'tOne thing would not do, answered the
young matron promptly. would not be
a drunkard's S WIFE,"
"How would you help YOURSELF -
Where there's will there's way
said Kitty, &" but don't let us talk about that:
surely shall never have drunken husband"
and with deep shadow over her brow, that
came like presentiment OF evil, the ride was
continued in silence.
Two years went by, and Mr.. Thomas GRAY
grew more and more easy. Bad bargains
were made, speculations entered into, con-
vIvial companions drew him from Niles to
the capital. His well-flled purse made him
every where welcome. Kitty, good little
soul, seeing things gong little out of the
way, would persist in giving music lessons,
and teaching the young girls Of Niles to paint,
and then fitted up q class of earnest boys in
Latin-for college-all in her own pretty
cottage, adding dollar to dollar, like wise
little wife. Then In the long winter eve
nings, when her husband was with his club
down street, easy fellow that he was, her
fingers grasped good steel pen, and many
pleasant tale went forth to the world, well
paid for, through eastern journals.
To make long story short, the crash of
81 found Mr.. Thomas Gray and his father,
the elder, exactly under it, and down they
went, SO low that old Billy Fitch, the dray.
man, declared he could not find enough left
of them TO pay him for hauling the goods to
the auction room. Town lots. big houses
and all went together, and Mr.. Gray, the
elder was found one morning in October of
81 suspended from beam III his own barn
and the end of bis wife's patent clothes-llne. !
and on that eyentful morning Thomas Gray, |
Jr., lay stretched his whole length, upon the |
counter of lager beer saloon, If not drunk, |
30 stupid " he didn't get home till morning
The terrible suicide happened on the very |
morning when both families were leaving |
the great house, to move into the very hoyel |
which, two years before, Kitty had declared |
she c0uld never be brought TO live in. Three I
lays before, her husband said to her with a |
thick tongue, you've got to come to it,
Kitty; after all, you see 'tain't always Sd |
Easy to keep out of hovels."
Kitty made no reply, but with resolute |
will went on her way. When the funeral |
was over, she led the weary, heart-broken
mother and wife, and the proud, paralyzed |
laughter to their new shelter, and the now |
obercd husband followed.
But what scene met their gaze, The
lOyel was neat cottage, every windOw-pane
n Its place, the floors clean and bright, the
,alIngs white washed. the mud hole gone,
mi the pleasant comforts of an humble i
home on every hand. Into 1t they walked,
mute with astOnishment, to find the favor
te furniture, even to Susan's piano.
"Where there's will there's way" said
Kitty, gravey-"I had anticipated trouble,
md with the money have been laying up
or few years, | have been able, by the
lino assistance of my husbands partner, to
ecure this in my own name, and mako 1t
home for your mother and SIX
er; now it remains with you to say whether
shall be the wife Of man; the wife of a
trunkard will never be any longer than the
aw will compel me.
Il shall hold the deeds Of this property in
nv hands. If you will. we can be happy
lere. My school is open for me ,eyen from the
iouei; our child must not live TO see or know
ler fathers shame. Eorsake your drinking
company and | will be faithful to the end. 1
Il you go on as heretofore, | will take myself |
md infant beyond vour reach
She conquered, Just as she did with the
zig boys. Thomas Gray has not been inside
# lager beer saloon since that memorable
lay. Miss Susan is wiser and better
woman than before the fall. The aged
mother is only sorrwful that the dead man
an not return and see how happy cheerful
less and industry can make family.
Kitty still works away-her blue eyes and
,olden hair, like the blue sky and spring
shedding light and Joy all around
Ter. She sometimes Gays quietly to Susan,
hat she shall teach young Thomas, the
bird, that important lesson which has been
Ter own talisman through life Where
here's q tclN there's a trav' -