The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1868-05-05

wards across the room preparatory 10
going out to seek a coffee house as his
wife thought. But much to her surprise
he retired to their chamber in an adjoin-
ing room. While still under the expec-
tation OF seeing him return, his loud
breathing caught her ear. He was asleep
She held the candle close to his face it
was calmer than usual and somewhat
paler. Az she bent over him his breath
came full IN her face 1t was not loaded
with the disgusting perfumes that SO often
sickened her. Her heart beat quicker
moisture dimmed her eyes her whole
frame trembled Then looking upwards,
she uttered single prayer tor her hus-
band, and gliding quickly from tho room,
sat down by the little table and again
bent over her work. Now che remem-
bered that he had said, with something
unusual in his tones, ,-"I would not sew
tonight, Jane you look tired rest for
one evening, and her heart was agitated
with q new hope; but that hope, like
the dove from the AK, found rothing
upon which TO rest, and trembled back
again into feeling of dependency.
On the next morning the unsteady
hand Of Jarvis as he lifted his saucer TO
his lips at the breakfast table, made his
wife's heart sink again in her bosom.
She had felt hope almost unconsciously.
She remembered that at supper time his
hand was firm how it was unnerved.
This was conclusive to her mind that,
notwithstanding his appearance he had
been drinking. But few words passed
during the meal, for neither felt much
inclined to converse.
After breakfast, Jarvis returned TO the
shop, and worked steadily until dinner
time, and then again until evening As
On the night before, he did not 60 out,
but retired early TO bed And this was
continued all the week. But the whole
was a mystery to his poor wife, who
dared not even to hope for any real
change for the better On Saturday,
towards night, ho laid by his work, put
on his coat and hat. and vert into the
front shop.
so you have roally worked five days a
sober man, John p Mr Lankford said
Indeed have Sirco last Sunday
morning no kind Of Intoxicating liquor has
passed my lips
How much have yo1 earned this week
John =
Here is the foremnn's account OF my
work, sir, It comes to twelve dollars
Still n fast workman You will yet
recover yourself, and your family will
yet be happy if you per.evere
20, sir, they shall be happy ! viii
persovere,'
Another pause ensued and then Jarvis
said. while the color ronnod to his
cheek,
Tf you are willing, Mr. Lanhior /
should like you TO deluc. only half Of
what owe you for those furs took
from you, from this weeks wnges My
family are in want OF a good many
things and am particularly desirous Of
getting a half barrel OF flour to night
Say nothing of that John lie il be
forgotten with your past msdeeds Here
are your wages-twelve dollars--and Z
it gives you IA much pleasure 10 receive
it as it does me to pay it, then yoo feel
no ordinary degree Of satisfaction
Mr. Jarvis received the large sum for
him to possess, and hurried away 10 a
grocery. Here he bought for six dollars
a half barrel of -four, and expended two
dollars more Of his wages in sugar, coffee
tea, molasses, etc, Near 10 the store was
the market house Thence be repaired
and bought meat and various kinds of
vegetables, with butter. etc. These he
carried to the store, and gave directions
to have them all sent home ia him He
had now two dollars left out of the twelve
he had earned since Tuesday morning,
and with these in his pocket be returned
home. As he drew near the house, bis
heart huttered ir anticipation of the de.
lightrul change that would pass upon all
beneath its humble roof He had never
in his life experienced feelings of such
real joy.
A few moments brought him TO the
door, AMI he went in with the quick step
that had marked his entrance for several
days. 1t was quite dark, and his wife
sat sewing by the window. She was nm
ishing pair of pantaloons TINT had got
10 go home that very evening, and with
the money she was TO get for them she
expected to buy the Sunday dinner -
There was barely enough in the uousa for
supper; and unless she received her pay
for this piece of work, she had no mean,
Of getting the required sustenance for her.
self and chiliren--or rather for her hls-
band, herself and children.
The individual for whom 1t was inten
ded was not Il prompt paymaster, and
usually grumhlod whenever Mrs Jarvis
asked him for money TO add to the
circumstances Of concern and Trouble o.
mind, she felt almos, ready to give up,
from the excessive r'.a .u hcr breast. and
the weaknts- of her wgl frame As
her husband came iu. -N' turned upor
him an anxious anl uaJle countorancC
, and then bent down la hn. work and
r piled her neeilr hof.lh As %, 'wi-
; light fell dimY around. -ha lyow nearer
and nearer ~ tho window. and at Rs
5 stood up AMI lean'! close .a the panes o
! glass, 50 TINT her iaaI almost touched