Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1862-01-23
VOL. xxx.
WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A
WAY.

u.
But does not nature always work by contrasts P
If there is an excess in one place, is there not
sure TO be a want in anotherP Extremes meet,
and so they did when Bob Gray, the easiest
man in town, paid his addresses to Kitty Logan,
the young school marin. who had agreed to
take the village school in the township Of Niles F;
where the big boys always turned the master
out of doors on Christmas, or made them treat.
Bob GRAY had a rich father, a hard working
mother, and one proud sister and could afford
to be lazy. Mr.. Gray, the elder, came West in
very early times, located near the town Of Niles,
lived in log cabin ten years, shook himself
out of joint with the ogue, "wore it out and
never had it afterward. But a poor neighbor
who had large farm mile from Mr. Gray
could not wear it out; his wife died, his chill
and Gray bought him out promising to pay
some time.
A year or so aftcrward, discouraged with his
crops. and the inability to pay for the new farm
he tried to persuade the former owner to take
it back which he refused to do-a lawsuit en-
sued and the matter ended by poor Gray being
obliged to keep the farm and pay the costs.
Terrible was the blow, but he lived through it (;
and five years afterwards, when the Ohio and
the Mississippi Railroad passed through the
svme farm and set up a station house exactly
in the centre, he found himself a rich man.
He sold town lots at high figures, sent his son
Tommy to Jacksonville, to be educated, and
daughter Susan TO Monticello. lie dressed
himself in broad -cloth-wore kid gloves--ac-
cepted the nomination for the Legislature and
unexpectedly found himself elected and making
laws for his countrymen at the capitol of the
Prairie State. So much in explanation.
Bob came home from Jacksonville with his
sheep-skin properly tied with blue ribbons,
dressed superbly, had the best "turn out' in
town, wore a tremendous pair of whiskers, and
of course Kitty Logan felt hattCrcd when he
offered to see her home from church-or called
after school TO take her out riding. Miss Su-
san Gray took little pains to find out that
Kitty was distantly related to the Summers and
Lincolns of Mass, but somehow she did not
learn the important fact that Kitty had worked
al -bradirg in the town of Foxboro' until
she had earned money enough to educate her
self
"Wherc there's a will there's way" said
Kitty, and know l can paddle my own canoe
out West, where they say nothing is wanting
but the power to do and the will to put the
power in notion"
So bidding her few friends good bye, for she
was an orphan, she donned the prttiest little
straw hat which her own pretty fingers had
plated, sewed pressed and trimmed with neat
| UraO rlODOn Win Il Ulue CuSCt WHICH COrreSpOn-
ded exactly with her drab travelling dress and
cape; and matched her blue eyes to a 7. Thus
she started for Illinois where friend of hers
lived and had written to her--she thought the
school could be procured. She was a little
home sick when she arrived at Niles and would
have given one of the gold pieces hid away in
that private pocket Of hers, for look once
more at the rough rocks and swampy hollows,
overshadowed by thin evergreens, that surroun-
ded her native home. She would have boun-
ded with Joy at the 'sound Of the old factory
bell that used to call the merry girls together
for their long evenings toll. Still she did not
say so, but put on cheerful face-sought out
the directors and made her application. Mr..
Smith, the main man, looked as if the little,
blue eyed mink, with her rosy lips had insulted
his dignity to come offering herself TO teach a
school, in that neighborhood. But as she
offered to teach for three dollars month
cheaper than the last incumbent and wrote such
a pretty hand, which they could read like print,
and besides had such winning way" they
agreed TO hire her. 70 the astonishment of
Observation-Disclosures and New Year too went
by and the mistress, instead Of being shut out
or having to treat, was surprised to find herself
treated, her desk loaded with presents, and even
Jim Strokes, who had always been called the
worst boy in town, had headed a surprise party
in the evening and almost filled Miss Logan S
little room, at Parson Browns, with pledges of
good will.
"Where there's a will, there's a way" said
Kitty. IL knew, Mr.. Smith, shculd not have
any trouble with the big loys they are just as
good as need be-"
"Of course they be-" answered the blunt old
farmer, who by the revolution of railroads. had
been brought almost into town. 81 can a most
wish was big boy myself, just 10 show you
how good could be-"
Mr.. Smith laughed and Kitty tripped along
to her task, carrying her little basket OF dinner
along with her.
Kttv's school house was in the country where
the elder Mr.. Gray still lived, having bull him
self fine house, with the "modern improve
mens," although he did not know exactly what
, to do with it, nor his wife either They still
tried to get along as comfortable as possible
, while Miss Susan enjoyed it exceedingly and
/ kept the great double parors full of company
which her worn and weary mother knew well
how to cook for-if she did not know how tc
cntertain-good cooking is a great thing in &
family Well, Iommy-or as we must now
call him "Mr. Thomas Gray, Counsellor and
Attorney at Law" fell deeply in love with Miss
. Kitty, and it is supposed she fell in love with
him and they were marred-now we havt
} really begun our tale which we are not writing
[ merely 10 tell u iONe slbIli uS luu sVe, Out u
c illustrate principle as well as relate a fact
Mr. Thomas Gray opened his office in Niles
and supposed of course all the world woult
cali upon him for counsel, and was for setting
upin good style--hutsh shrewd little Kitty insistet
}, that plain way was best. She did not desir
!, any such display as had been made by some O
their neighbors. who had grown suddenly rich
m One day as they were riding gaily by a miser
70 able looking hovel, in the suburbs, with broke
T windows and doors off the hinges, mud hol
near, and the pigs looking through the doors a
q a hesotted man as if they sympahised with an,
had fellow feeling for him in his degradation
Mr.. Thomas Gray said TO his vile--"how wou
'r you like to live in such place as that m
" dear P" mot at all, Of course" was the reply
o There is no knowing what may happen," sal
he he "my friend there, Mary Bell. was thre
'd ars ago to all appearances as well off as yo
are to-day but her husband speculated higl
G, took to drink, and there she is "
Il can't help that" answered Kitty "n
- drunkard can put me into such place as that
"Don't be too sure, deary," said Thomo
he Gray.
st "Sure?" answered Kitty with spirit, Il al
~ Just so sure as this, there is not man livin
al whose fortunes | would follow down so low q
that"
n "Whot would you do, pray, let us know tn
- secret p'
er "One thing would not do" answered tn
rs rs young matron promptly. Il would not be
" drunkard's wife"