Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-27
THE DISCONNECTED COUPLE.

An old diseouten,ed couple, who had hard
work to procure the necessaries Of life, were
constantly complaining Of the faults and
failures Of others, instead of seeking by Di-
vine help to reetify their own.
" All this trouble and sorrow through the
world is through Adam and Eve" the old
gentleman would exclaim ." if | had been
Adam, would never have allowed a woman
to lead me into such a scrape."
A wealthy and pous lady lived near who
had frequently relieved the old man and his
wife. One day when passing she overheard
them grumbling as usual, about Adam and
Eve. She felt anxious to convince them of
the Importance of being contented with the
position in which Providence had placed
them, and how wrong it was to be thus con-
stantIy murmuring at their lot in life
The next morning the lady's servant in
livery came to the cottage with message
from his mistress requesting the old couple
to 90 up to the mansion.
| The looks of discomfort vanished for once,
as the old folks were delighted with such a
mark of distinction from one SO very rich.
On arriving at the mansion, the lady re-
ceived them most kindly, and thus addressed
them
have set apart two rooms in my house,
and 50 long as you attend to my wishes you
will be allowed TO remain here, and have
everything needfui for your comfort But II
( you disobey any of my rules, you will be i'm
mediately turned out and sent back to your
mud cottage"
Thank you thank you kindly, madam, "
responded the old man.
q Never fear our doing anything against
your Wishes ma am" added the old woman.
Very WE'LL" said the lady, then you
will find home here for life
Everything necessary for their comfort
was provided, and all went on well for some
time. There was one thing that somehow
puzzled them.
For several days there was placed on the
dinner table a covered dish, which they were
desired not 20 touch.
My lady desires me to say that every
dish is at your service except that one" said
the serSant.
On such day, having nearly finished
their hearty repast, the curiosity of the old
woman was greatly excited as to the forbid
den dish, and she said to her husband 3:
Whatever can 1t be "
Never mind" said the old man "we've
had a capital dinner without it,"
" As the lady was doing us good, she might
as well let us taste every DISH" said the old
woman.
"Why yes, she might as well done hand
somely,' rejoined the husband.
I" There can be no harm in looking" con-
tinued the old woman " the lady win never
be any the wiser for that"
The old man was silent, and silence serves
to give consent. He was almost as curious
as his wife about the strange dish. The
temptation was strong and the longer it was
parlied about, the more irresistible it be-
came.
"She'll never know we have looked" re-
piled the old woman, as she gently took hold
Of the cover, and very cautiously raised it on
one side, and there, stopped down to peep
under,
"Oh oh oh % exclaimed the terrified
old woman, as she started back and upset the
dish cover on the floor.
0ut jumped mouse
The uproar reused the lady of the house,
who, suspecting what was the matter, was
quickly at the door.
"What is this the return you make for
my kindness ? You, who were 10 ready to
blame Adam and Eve for eating the forbidden
fruit, could not you obey my triaing request
You have now forfeited the privileges ! con-
ferred upon you, and you must therefore leave
my house Immediately, and return to mud
cottage. Never, in future, blame Adam and
Eve again for what you evidently would have
done had you been in their places !"