Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-08-31
What little Foxes did.
A TRUE STORY.

was on a visit to my grandfather,
one of the pioneer farmers of Central
New York, and we had started out for
a ride. The first house we passed
was in so many respects like my grand
fathers that it drew my attention.
Your good neighbor seems to have
had some ideas like yours" l said.
The man that built this house had.
No neighbor of mine now, poor man p
and my grandfather drew a long
breath.
Then after q pause, his voice chang
ed.
"These foxes these little foxes, |
hate them! Nobody fears them. no.
body minds them, vet they ruin every
thing. The beasts of prey are not
half so dangerous. The little foxes
he repeated with emphasis, and his
tone was bitter.
What little foxes, grandfather ?'
"Any little foxes, all little foxes;
little sins. little weaknesses, little
SANDERS, little debts, | hate them all.
They do such mischief; they are SO
treacherous and ruinous 3"
"When they are so little p
"Yes, ard because they are so lit
tie"
My grandfather paused. | waited
in silence, and he went on.
Il never ride by this house without
pain and Indignation. You see what
fine place it is; a good house, a
hundred and fifty acres Of rich land !;
and yet it went for silk gown. That
was the little fox"
"a silk gown ?"
Eyes, it went for a silk gown. And
there went with it what was worth
greatly more than all of it-a whole
family's happiness and hope"
"What is the story, grandfather ?"
I'll tell you. When | first came
to this part of the country, young
couple of the name of Brown were
settled here in a log house. They
were hard working, self denying peo-
pie and everything prospered with
them for many years. They paid for
their farm and kept adding to it, till,
as l told you, they had hundred and
fifty acres. Then when l had built
me a new house, neighbor Brown had
to build him one, somewhat like mine
as you see, for he did not want to be
behind. | sent my oldest children to
an academy in the next town, where
they could have better opportunities
} for learning than were here. After
time, neighbor Brown thought il
would be a good thing to educate his
children, and sent his oldest daughter
to the same academy.
1t was a new expense to him, bu
he met it cheerfuIly, and for time
all went well. The young woman
7 made him stare with her philosophy
t and the fond father was more than re
paid for all his sacrifices on her &C
, count. But as she increased in knowl
2 edge. so did she in love of dress; ant
nothing would do for her but an e2
pensive silk gown. Her mother pu
l. her off.
e awe can't afford it Susan"
|, "Whv not mother ~
: because we have no money to pa
l. for it."
e "But father can pay for it in thing
S from off the farm"
r "Nothing can be spared now. Las
S, years grain is all sold; so is ever,
Is thing else from last year"
If But father might sell something
y COW, if nothing else"
IS "No he needs all the stock he has
n The father entered.
le "What is it. Susan ?"
b. Iwant silk dress, father. Mar
1t Stiles has one.
1T allow will she get 2" interpose
te the prudent mother.
"Ill buy 1t for her.
m "But how will you pay for it ?"
r. They'll trust me for it"
O. The wife said no more, and Susa
Sc had the handsomest silk dress to
ut found in the next village, and Brow
id had a store bill for the first time
his life. He thought nothing of it; {
as
ny many others had the same, and tt
is merchants encouraged it. 1t comes
great deal easier to say aCharge it
Id than to hand over the hard earnt
he cash. They know this, and take a
he vantage of it. And to a man wi
or would not have spent ten dollars
ht the store if he had been obliged
ng pay down, has a store bill OF perhal
In five times that amount to meet at Il
ID, end of the year"
Nv nAnd suppose it can't be met.