Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-11-17

In hef huSbandS absence.
Il don't know what you're thinking
OF to encourage poor man like Je-
rome Anderson" she said. at length,
biting off her thread with jerk. '1f
| was you I'd give him his walking
papefs."
Ruth recognized that as bold ad-
vancnent 10 draw her into a wordy
comtat. She had been there before,
and knew the ground well. She snuff
ed the candle without word of COM
ment Silence was the only intrench-
meut into which she could retire.
Mrs. Beebe changed her tactics.
"These candles are miserable" she re-
marked, ia infinite disgust. That
last tallow wasn't tried right; and if
there wasn't water in these dips they
wouldn't Dlutter like all-possessed.
| expect it comes tough for you to
see by these feeble lights after enjoy
ing your amt's gas"
"The gaslight was very pleasant"
answered Ruth, meditatively.
Humphrey Olcott'S new house is
going to haze gas in it" remarked
Mrs. Beebe, glancing at her daughter
to note the effect of her words. Ale
is building fine cage. Almost any
bird might be contented in it..
"Olcott's house is pretty sure to
have gas il it" commented Jacob
Beebe, who had returned from the
mill in time to hear his wifes last re-
mark concerning Mr.. OIcott. dts
pretty sure to have gas in it when lis
master is home; and if | was a bird
I'd rather have the poorest, homeIiest
nest an honest oird could build NE
than Olcotts cage with its golden
bars. That's my opinion"
"Oh, jacob, YOU are so set in your
notions !" exclaimed Mrs. Beebe.-
"And here Is Ruth sighing and long
ing for things every day that you
can't afford TO buy her. just look
Jacob, at that little piece of lace
Ruth would buy the real stuff She
don't approve of limitations. There
a pretty gill for a poor mans wife
| tell you, Jacob, men don't under
stand these things"
jacob Btebe sighed Lace is nO
the worst want in the world" he said
In an undeT-tone. "And | hope RutF
viii remember that the love of a mar
rled woman ought to be the real stuff
and no imitation. Wives can get
along better without lace than IOye
Are you going to your cousins wed
ding?' he asked, turning to Ruth.
uVo.. III, e.u,s...-o.---a nh. -
er thinks had better, and | am trim
ming my dress
"Anu you want more lace ?" asked
the farmer, graveIy, as the colore(
servant called Mrs. Beebe into tn,
kitchen.
ats little scant, but | don't mine
much" answered Ruth, looking u
with feeble smile
Il wish | could afford" began th
farmer.
Ruth stopped him. Il don't mine
Bit she said and her smile wa:
brave now as she put her arms arou nj
her fathers neck. Don't think of i
again. | don't care"
Farmer Beebe smoothed his child
hair tenderly. you're good girI
Ruth" he said with a trembling voice
Don't let them spoil you"
Mrs. Beebe came in, and Ruth tool
her candle and went up stairs.
Jacob" said Mrs Beebe, sharply
when they were alone, you're enoug
to try the patience of a saint, as l'v
told YOU before Here | am tryin
to do all | can for Ruth Ann, and yo
just upset all | do by your unreasor
able talk against Mr.. Olcott. 1t ism
doing justice by your child TOR INT
If Ruth Ann makes anybody she won
have her father to thank"
Jacob snufted the candle and picE
ed up the Bible. The act was strang,
ly like his daughters an hour befor,
Experience had taught them both t
avoid unequal warfare with this We
man.
Mrs. Beebe, frowning, went int
the kitchen to look after affairs fc
the night. She knew better than t
draw him out of the silence wherei
he had intrenched himself.
And Jacob read bis Bible, his eve
fixed on one verse on the open pag
When his wife was gone he rea
aloud: aVisiting the iniquities of tt
fathers upon the children unto ii
third and fourth generation" E
stopped there with a groan. ayes
he commented; Il suffer for my fat
er's wrong, and my child suffers f(
mine. God help u.s."
Ruth Beebe stood in the crowde
city parlors, watching the thron
around her. There was much
please Ruth's fancy. The shimmt
of the silks, the glitter of the jewel
the fragrance of the flowers, the m
sic, and the brilliant lights were ver
beautiful in her estimate. There Wa
a stir at the door, and ushers cleare
the way for the bridal party. For
moment Ruth saw nothing but tt
: trailing satin and flowing lace, ii
orange blossoms and the pearls
Then her eyes sought the bridegroom
a little, hard faced. and wrinkled ma
She started visibly, and glanced
the corner where stood young ma
with look of intense scorn on h
handsome features. Ruth remembe
t ed her cousin Nellie's words in CO
7 | At L.