Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1868-02-06

denea,
But WIFE," was Mr., Smiths remon,
STRANGE, Il thought that Bridget was the
chief par excellence Of housemaids, and |
think you said"
Mr., Smith, l know what a servant
should be-" she exclaimed, and | do mot
want yol TO tell me,
Yes, haN1 no doubt You do" and Mr..
Smith balanced the soup plate rpon ms
hnger as II ia the act Of washing il.
and Mrs, smiths face hlushed rcd a. scar,
let
Mr. Smith, she exclaimed and sank
back unable 10 articulate morc-and lust
then Bridget entered and cut short her
aocumulating words,
The twilight Of evening had come, and
the sitting room was lighted, Mr. Smith
TOOK ont has portfolio, rang the he'll and
Bridget entered.
"bridget, said Mr.. Smith, am sorry.
but Mrs Smith says she will dispense with
your services after tomorrow, You have
been here two months-I wish | could sav
two years-and l am sorry To part with
you. Sign this receipt, aud here is u la-
nus with your wages
Aud he placed package Of coin by the
side Of the paper,
Mr.. smith took up the receipt aud
glanced at the name. and then walked
across the room and held the paper before
his wife.
Mrs, Smith," said he, her name is
Francds-not Bridget"
\ blush sutfuscd Mr.. smith, face.
Frances, what State are YOU from 2"
inquired Mrs. Smith rs the woman was
/ leaving the room,
Massachusetts, she replied.
What part, Frances"
/ Lowell"
Were you acquainted with Mr. Rob
ert Depue's family she eagerly in
quired; they have the same name a,
yourself"
Yes, quite we'll" she answered very
! quietly.
And is the old gentleman still living"
Mrs Smith earnestly asked, and rou,.u.
ued, 81 have not heard from - rc in "a
long time"
I No, he is dead" She replied with a
sigh. "He has been dead almost one
year.
I Dead poor old man =" Mrs. smith *
claimed, and she brushed tear from her
cheek Tell me, Frances. al you know
abou, him, and his death, and will he
thankful to You for il.
Il suppose his death was like that OF
many other poor old men," she began.
and continued as a sad expression ,,o,,
over her face: The old gentleman had
two daughters. The Youngest got mar
ricd and emigrated 10 81. Louis with her
husband, leaving the eldest at home with
her father. Finally she too married. and
like her younger slgter emigratcd 10 the
West with her husband, and left the old
gentleman alone; and | believe he nov
er heard from her afterwards only through
strangers. heard that they came to Cal
itornia, and it was said that her husband
Mr.. Smith, was rich"
Frances, hasten your recital 'eNrlaim-.
ed Mrs. Smith impatieutly, "and--aud toll
me Ub0ut. MIR. bcluC's dCltt-
The tale is a short one, Madam" Fran
ces replied and she gave Mrs. Smith
look that made her tremble. The old
gentleman she continued, was l,f; alone
to the tender mercies of strangers y
long sickness followed and exhausted hi,
once competent means for, in the absence
OF those who should have been at his bed
side, there was no one to take care Of lis
affairs After all was gone they mcreiful-
ly sent him to the almshoust :"
''Oh, my God and he died there - ca
claimed Mrs. Smith, between the choking
sobs that escaped from her lips
"Oh, no, he did not die there" France,
replied, for hi, youngest daughter Tee
turned She buried her husband al 81.
Louis, and after gathering her estate to-
-cther, she turned her attention 10 hey
fathers house. The misfortune ri l,r
parent WAS sore grief; but souu ~h,. Yr,.
pared home for him, and for nearly
year She nur,cd and watched over him.
and on his death bed received his has.
blessing in reward for her dutinl coudu.,
He Is buried beside Iii, wife in the ,l
burying ground"
Frances grew pale at thi, recital. ua
her tears fell. Is dill those Of h,r h'ar.
err,
All, then, my poor father is dead ".,N-
claimed Mrs. Smith, and Ella. my. sister.
whore is She Z"
.Si,..,..,:
.,,''''i''' ~ -, ', %'' some ''i"' AZ
-, '''.''' Ny'.I'' rance. continued
!, - ''"i ''"'' n'F H'N''' f.Ii<'-
.:h !" Wnoi' she haI often written
''' I'M i,''N '''E any relhN' >''' ih@llN
o"', "G'u 10 come 10 Caiii''hIl she al.-
IN'l I''t, Nv" mouths ago and hy "
;: ''l'l''S was ''''f'aI.r'd INTO n'i
sisters h"use.a servant whrrr ~he has
'il :, 9ihlh was startled.