Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-20


up on pillows, with one skeleton ham
lying idly on the coverlet,--that stront
man of six months ago,-helpiess as I
child Not only had the relentless sur
geon ampuiated his crushed leg, but tht
spine had received some isremediable IN
Jury, and he was helpless invalid fol
life.
Melissa was sitting by the window
with little babe in her lap, while she
stitched busily away at a piece of elabo-
rate embroidery on cashmere. She turns
ed around with a smile as her husband
spoke.
"You must be worn out sitting over
that endless work, Milly. Let me take
the baby for wbile, and you go out for
walk"
"In a minute or two, David" she said
cheerfuIly. II am just through this work,
and then can take it home"
"Combining business and pleasure" be
said, with a sthed sigh. MiIly, are you
sure you are not working too bard 7"
"Quite sure, dear,' she said. "Now
will you take good care Of wee Davie
while / am gone ?"
She laid the little one among the pill
lows with bright smile, and then press
ed her lips softly to David's hot forehead.
"Are you suffering much now ?"
mot very much"
"I'll bring some more of that cooling
lotion when Ireturn, said Melissa softly.
The Jewish>looking foreman of the
embroidery establishment took up his
eyeglass, critically TO examine The deli
cate work that Mrs. Thornel had brought
home.
"Very-neaily-done!' y be said slow
ly, and almost as ifhe grudged the words
of praise. "HalIoo what's this spot on
the cashmere?'
at was there when l took it, sir"
"Notbing of the kind, my good woman.
A likely story, that J"
"But it was indeed !" began Mrs. Thor
lell "for-'
"Now it's no use talking. | know"
said the clerk, superciliously tossing the
bundle down. Clean spoiled-no use
1t all. I've great mind to make you
1ay for the damaged stuff"
Mrs. Thornton grew pale as she
bought of the empty exchequer at home.
"As it is, of course you'll expect no
we don't care to have any
more material ruined in your hands
Good evening, ms'am.'
Melissa turned away with a sinking
leart. The clerk watched her out Of the
tore and then grinned to himself.
"Pretty neatly executed" he said to
similar youth behind the counter. "Bul
II not agree to fish you so suugly out of
be scrape next time you spill ale over
he counter, Bob p
Meanwhile Mrs. Thornel was gliding '
through the twilight street, trying with |
desperate effort to keep the tears out of
Ter Eyes.
'Oaly half dollar left she murmured {
0 herself, only hall dollar Ieft-and I
'hen that is gone, starvation! Oh, Da- .
id-my poor David Perhaps-per- $
aps, though, my father will relent i
Did the calm-tacs official at the Post /
)fIice Station know what thrill passed
trough the heart of the pale, though a
retty woman, as he carelessly tossed a
,tter through the glass partition? She q
,ok it up aud eagerly opened it by the
,ding light OF the window. i
As before-her own unbroken epistle, Il
18th one line scrawIed in pencil across
lie address:
"Once for all l cast you of. Were S
on starving, | would not give you the g
rust that my dogs gnaw !" ;
The letter dropped from her trembling !,
ugers and long sbuddering sigh broke \
ON her lips. r,
Oh, what will become Of US? what
lall we dol? was the unsyllabled Ian II
mage Of her heart.
1t was the second day after this occur 81
nee that she came home, tired and "
orn out with seeking employment .,
Ter husbands eager eyes sought hers, ,as
le came to bis bedside. "
Have you found anything to do, Mil til
p
'No-but you will not mind dry bread /
r supper, will you, David" ty
Il won't mind anything, as long as you oil
e well and cheerful, little wife.
Il am both, she said trying to smile s.
lever despair, David, we'll conquer fate es
IT,
What are you going to do ? be asked OF