Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-08-29
John Landgrove.

BY }. E. NJ.
"John," said Mary Landsrove one fine
morning, "can have few dollars to
get some necessaries for the children.
You know Cora's shoes are badly worn,
and Charlie needs new coat and
pants"
81 cannot possibly spare dollar"
said John, for must use every dollar
in my possession to-day"
Pray, what can be the great need of
your using money to-day am sure
there is nothing that calls more impera-
lively for money, than the absolute
wants Of our family. 1t has been my
great desire for a long time that the
children should be clothed respectfully,
that they might be able to attend church
upon the Sabbath, also the Sabbath
school,"
Sabbath school, or no Sabbath
school, l tell you once for all, that it is
important that l should use the money
in my possession to-day, and do not
know that it is important that you
should know what do with the money
l earn myself, provided you are support
ed comfortably; and as for the children,
they are clothed as well as we are able
to clothe Them
This announcement fell harshly and
strangely upon Mary's ear, for long
months before he had spoken kindly
and provided well for his family, but to
her on this occasion there was strange
ness in his attitude and language.
"John, said Mary very kindly, yet
with suppressed emotions and choking
words, "you know our children cannot
appear upon the street even clothed as
well as other children, no better able
than we have been for months past to
provide for ours, and 1t grieves them as
we'll as myself to know, that they must
receive the taunts of other children,
when we are to blame for their rustic
appearance, and l thought you would
appropriate your next earnings for this
| comfort"
81 cannot" muttered John, "Com-
Portable enough now" and closed the
door in the face of his weeping wife,
muttering that, women are always
wanting something when a man most
needs the money himself"
When he had gone Mary sat down and
gave vent to the most bitter grief, as the
hot tears flowed down her thin, pale
| cheeks, for she too well knew that his
| nD+1 1N1S hn -
for her. She knew too well that the
sorrowful days Of years gone by, were
soon to return, although hopes based
upon pledges and promises made many
months before, had cheered her weary
heart, and new comforts and happiness
obtained by abstinence, frugaliSy and in
dustry, had given new joys to the once
sorrowful household.
ooh dear" sighed Mary. "Where can
he be going to-day for the few weeks
since he has joined the Base Ball Club
he has not appeared as he has for long
time before, and | am fearful that he
will fall bach into his old habits of
gambling and drunkenness; but they say
that no swearing is allowed, and still
Mr.. Brayor told me thai thousands of
dollars changed hands at the last match
game-certainly feature as bad as
swearing, and | believe worse in it's
effects, besides gambling and drinking
go together, and if this is the case John
will break his pledge and is again on
the highway to ruin, when he promised
so solemnly to so many of his friends
that he would abstain from all of his
old habits of vice."
Just at this moment Mrs. Slack came
in and exclaimed, "why, Mrs. Landgrove,
what can be the matter with you this
morning"
II am truly grieved Mrs. Slack. John
this morning refused me money to buy
comforts for the children; and went
away angry without letting me know
where he was going, and he has not done
the like before for many months"
"Why," replied Mrs. Slack, II can .ell
you where he has gone, and I presume
what he has done with his money. |
heard Mr.. Slack say that he had 'staked'
ten dollars with Spooner on the game.
1t came off to-day, and he was confident
he would lose."
"Oh dear !" again sighed Mary "as
| expected here are our two little chill
, dren without the necessary clothing, to
: make them comfortable, and now-and
the hot tears Coursed down her cheeks
our all, though little, (but how much
for us) to be lost, and if be should win,
it will but induce him to try again and
e ruin is inevitable"
Mrs. Slack at last babe Mary good
h morning, and she was left alone to re,
feet through the lonely hours of the day
Il Night at last came, when she expected
her Maynard husband would return, fol
g he had promised his employer that bt
e would certainly be at his post on tn,
e following morning. The night as haC
the day wore away, and still be did no
2 come; every hour Of delay added an
guish to her bleeding heart, for tiding
of his leaving town had already reached