Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-03-30
MiSceIl anfnus.
WHAT LIrrLE FOXES DID.
A TRUE STORY.
Prom the Boston Recorder

nc hhh mat quit thls mouse had. No
neighbor Of mine now, poor man !" and my
grandfather drew long breath.
Then after a pause, his voice changed.
These foxes these little foxes, hate
them! Nobody fears them, nobody minds
them, yet they ruin everything. The beasts
Of prey are not half so dangerous The lit
tie foxes he repeated with emphasis, and
his tone was bitter
=" What little foxes, grandfather ?"
Amy little foxes, all little foxes; little
sins, little weaknesses, little ISLANDERS, little
debts, | hate them all. They do such mis-
chief; they are so treacherous and ruinous 7"
"When they are so little !"
"Yes, and because they are so little"
My grandfather paused. | waited in ST. |
lence, and he went on.
al never rid by this house without pain
and indignation. You see what fine place
it is a good house, hundred and fifty acres
Of rich land and yet it went for silk gown.
That was the little fox"
"a silk gown"
Yes, 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'm 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 hardworking, self. deny
ing people, and everything prospered with
them for many years. They paid for their
farm, and kept adding to it, till, as told you,
they had hundred and fifty acree.-Then
when l he'd built me new house, neiphbor
Brown had to build him one, somewhat like
mine, as you see. for be 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 it would be a good thing to educate
his children, and sent his oldest daughter to
the same academy.
ut was new expense to him, but be met
it cheeffully, and for time, all went we'll.
The young woman made him stare with her
philosophy, and the fond father was more than
repaid for all his sacrifices on her account.
But as she increased in knowledge, 80 did
she in love OF dress; and nothing would do
for her but a. expensive silk gown. Her
mother put her off
ave cant afford it, Susan"
Why not, mothers"
" Because we have no money to pay for it," |
" But father can pay for it in things from
off the farm"
Nothing can be spared now Last years
grain lie oil sold ; so is everything else from
last year"
=" But father might sell something's COW,
if nothing else"
:" No, he needs all the stock he has"
The father entered.
"What is it. Susan? ?"
/" want silk dress, father. Mary Stiles
has one."
How will she get III" interposed the
prudent mother.
I'm buy it for her."
I" But how will you pay for it,"
They'll trust me"
The wife said no more, and Susan had
the handsomest silk to be found in the next
village, and Brown had a store bill for the
first time in his life. He thought nothing
of it, so many others had the same, and the
merchant encouraged it. 1t comes etea,
deal easier to say Charge it ~ than to hand
over the hard-earned cash. They know this.
and take advantage Of it. And so man who |
would not have spent ten dollars at the store
if he had been obliged to pay down. has
store bill Of perhaps FIVE times that amount
to meet at the end Of the year"
And suppose it can't be metz :"
1.-The merchant puts it into the shape of |
note payable with interest, and starts fresh
account"
I" Too bad"
so it is; but Susan Brown had her fine
dress and Brown had his store bill, and once
begun, 1t soon grew too large. Indeed, il .
was always too large, and how many debts |
are not so! The command is wise, Owe no
man anything. Most debts ought never TO
m No A
gence that cannot be paid for at once. Next
year Browns store bill became note with |
interest, but did not trouble him. Next wear
another note was given, larger one, incud-
ing interest, and an unpaid balance of sec
ond store bill. Heavier interest was now
asked, for money was scarce. Brown kent
falling behind for several years; once sliding
downward. il is hard TO recover ones self
At length saw the surveyors at work at that
part Of his farm lying next to nine He was
with them.
Going to sell :" ssked him.
" I'm going to give Lynde mortgage"
"Ah how's that 7"
He's got some Of my notes, and wants
one"
" pitied him, and with good reason. He
was never the same man again. An incubus
lay upon him, destroying his courage, his
very life. II he could not pay a store bill, |
how could he lift mortagel His farm must
go; no help for it. The gras ping usurer
had done his work, had made his own the
handsome farm which another man had earn
ed by the sweat and toll of life, without the
sweat or toll Of an hour. by cunning, small
advantages fastened to little store debt
How indignant ! felt how sorrowful. TOO.
when my good honest neighbor put his fur
niture into wagons; put in his axe, plough,
and hoe, and took his way to an humble home
far from us, to begin lfes toll anew, youth
all gone. hope almost dead, courage almost
failed, muscles and heart weakened. And all
this wrong and ruin grew from a little thing,
sehool-girrs gown. DO you wonder hate
the little foxes Look out for them, child
watch for them don't let them spoil your
vines, while you think you are safe from them
No one is safe l''
We rode OF in silence, and unused and
tremoled. SO many little thines-hfe made
up with them-which shall ruin which shall
bless "God OF wisdom, direct me r.
prayed.
Pay your debts when they are small--not
emitting the psintor; that will be sure death
TO the little foxes.