Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-01-09
miscellaneous.
TWO SHiLLlNGS A WEEK, AND
WHAT CAME OF II.

TWO SHtLLlNGs A WEEK, AND
WHAT CAME OF II.
Thomas Brown lived roxt door TO Robert
Smith, and both worked in the same factory
But, though they stood side by side all day,
they had very different ways Of spending
their evenings. Smiths pleasure was to sit
and chat in ihe parlor Of he Red Lion, while
Brown thought his own snug chimney cor
ner pleasapter aud cheaper.
Brown was susuuch teetotaltr," as be
called himself H. was hale and strong ana
be found he did not need beer OF spirits be
saw many Of his felow-woikmen and their
lads slipping down INFO the habit OF spend
ing "a great part Of their earnings in drink
and every now and then breaking out in
drunken revel So Thomas resolved Co keep
clear of the temptation to take too much
strong drink by taking none at all.
He was surprised himself to find how
much money this resolve saved HIM. He
found that be had about five shillings week
to spare, after paying all his household ex-
penses. He consulted with his good wife
what TO do with his FIVE stilhnps, and they
settled 10 put IL into a building society which
had lately BIZ formed. So Thomas Brown
took five fifty pound shares, and paid his five
shillings a week inIo the society while bis
neighbof and shop mate, Robert Smith, spent
his surplus hve-Ahiliings in the parlor Of the
Red Lion.
Eleven years parsed over: the building
society Of which Thomas brown was a mem
Der, wound up, and Thomas received check
on the bank foi $3.50 with which be bought
house, which brought him in eight shllings
week for rent.
AS be still had his five sbillings surplus
from his wages, and these eight shiings be-
sides, he thought he could do no better than
join another building society and so he took
thirteen fifty pound shares, and paid in his
thirteen shillings week.
Another eleven years passed over, and the
building society paid Thomas $3.50, with
which he bought him more houses, which
brought him twenty seven shillings a week
about EOS year.
About this time work began to be slack at
the factory, and the master sent for Robert
and Thomas, and told them that he was sor-
~ that he could no longer find employ ment
for them.
Both returned home. Thomas was a little
sad to think that he should not go to the old
place, where he had worked for 70 many
years ; but Robert had a heavy heart, and
when he told his wife she pictured dismal
future, and burst into tears.
After that cherries supper Robert went
out, but instead Of going to the RED Lion,
he looked in at his neghbor Thomas house
to see what he WIS going to do, for Thomas,
like wise man, mad not boosted about his
savings of his property, and few OF his shop
mates knew anything about it. Thomas WAS
at his supper when Robert came in, and he
aaked him TO cit down and join him. but
Robert was too excited to do that.
"What is TO be DONE Thomas :" said Rob-
ert; " this is q desperate bad job.
swell" said Thomas, " for my part | don't
intend to work in the factory any more.
can't take to new place now, after | have
been so long used to the old shop
How do you mean to live, them" asked
Robert. Has any one left you fortuue ?"
"No," answered Thomas. e have income
enough to keep me wthou, working in the
factory"
81 WISH" said Robert, Z" that you would
give me leaf out Of your book"
"Nay," said Thomas, " fear it is too late
now. You know l have been a teetotaler for
twenty years, and many joke you and the
rest have had at me for it,
"Well. you have the pull Of us now, at any
rate" said Robert but you don't suppose
have been drunkard do you have al
ways made my wife comfortable, and given
her what she has wanted for the house"
- know you have,' answered Thomas
" but my wife and | agreed to put the five
shillinSs week we could spare into the
building society, and now we have thirty
seven shillings week coming in without
working for it"
Robert looked surprised, and he said sadly
as be got up to 90, 3" / see my mistake now
though have not been a drunksrd, / have
squandered away without thought what now
might make my wife and l comfortable for
the resi- OF our lives, instead of having to sci
out and look for work in a new place among
strangers"