Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-06-30

until the violence oi his Wiies wrath should
have subsidized
And you're no better off than we be-"
sighed Mrs Page, gloncing sadly around the
room "Ah---h this is what comes Of fine
ladies for wivesl"
II was not exactly logical conclusion, but
it seemed to afford wondrous consolation to /
the good old woman, who Immediately united /
her bonnet-striugs, aud prepared to make
herself at home"
Is this money in the pocket-book all |
you've got LEFT, Charles2" demanded his
mother, about ten days after their unexpected
arrival.
"Ycs, mother"
"Only FIVE dollars; and the rent will come
due tomorrow, and there's a bill for grocer
les enough to make ones hair stand on end
and as for milk, don't see how men can
sleep at night who charge ten cents quart |
for milk that's half water And nobody |
knows how much the doctors bill is going to
be, aud Bridgels wages-but III discharge
her tomorrow morning If your wife can't
do the homework Of these few rooms | can"
Charles Page closed his eyes wearily, and
pressed his hand upon his throbbing temples.
II was not the best course of treatment for a
ieverish patient, this enumeration Of domestic
troubles but old Mrs. Page had never been
i'll herself, and consequently made little al
lowancc for the weak and wOrn-out state Of
her son.
don't know what Laura's doing up in
her room," said the old lady. She had a
great deal better buy a wash-tub and q bar
of yellow soap, and do the family washing
instead Of putting it out, aud spending her
time writing poetry
Laura has been the most tender and de-
voted of nurses to me, and will listen TO no
aspersions Of her conduct 70 interrupted Chas
Page, Indignantly.
Mrs Page screwed her lips tightly together
as she turned the solitary note over and over,
but she ventured on no more derogatory re-
marks downstairs.
Creeping like veritabe pussy-cat up the
staircase, she entered her daughter-in-law's
apartment with the stealty movement peeu
liar to that quadruped
Painting, oh, Mrs. Charles2 Let me
tell you | think it's your duty to attend a
little more to the housework, and less to your
fine amusements up here. Do you see this
note it's all we've got left in the house, and
/ if you think it's going to support you IN
/ idleness you're mistaken"
Is Charles alone, mother2"
| Yes, he Is alone but as was saying
/ think we had better join him."
Old Mrs. Page hobbled down after Laura's
graceful movements, grumbling as she went.
Laura" said her husband, with a troub-
led face, "my mother tells me that our funds
are getting low"
Only five dollar bill left said the old
lady, clutchug it greedily, as if fearful that
it would take wings unto itself and vanish
into thin air
" And" resumed her son, "what are we
to do2"
Might as well ask advice of the biggest
wax-doll in the shop around the corner"
grumblcd Mrs. Page, sotto Uoce.
" See, Charles
Laura had opened her little portemonnaie,
/ and was showering out its contents on the
! bed, close TO Charlcs's hand
My gracious me - CALCULATED the old
lady, " where did all these bills come from2r
- One hundred dollars My dearest wife
how did you get this ?"
" Laura's cheek flushed high with pride an,
/; qualification. ,,,
/, My little pictureof Spring in the Wild
y orness' was sold this morning Charles; an
| have orders for two more, at the san
e price y
S A hundred dollars --f9r trumper
s picture I" gasped Mrs Page, senior, undo
= her breath, yet looking at Laura now wit
e Difference and admiration dawning in he
9 face. The woman who could earn hundre
e dollars by weeks work was not to be de
spised
Charles Pages eyes filled with tears hi
pressed his lips lovingly to the hand who's,
whiteness Mrs. Page had so despised.
My dear little wife my helpmate in
deed n' he murmured, softly.
You must not wear that serious face any
longer, Charles she said, hiding the depth
Of her emotion by an assumed playiulness.- -
" We shall have plenty Of money now to last
us all until you get well, and mother"-sht
spoke it with an effort" shall lay it out fol
= us after the most economical fashion -
( But, to Laura's astonishment, the old lady
jumped up, aud threw her arms around hel
t neck with curious hystcrical sob.
4 " Laura, I've been wrong all this time
y I've been a conccited obstinate old fool %
Mother !"
= 81 haye-and there's no use making Q
= secret of it I've scorned aud despised you
|, and been as ugly as Cain to you, and now
+" Now we will forget it all, and begiI
+ anew, mother" said Laura, soothing the OLE
c womans agitation with tender kiss.
= 1t was not until Mrs Page the elder hac
j. had her attention called to the pre-eminen
necessity of an apple-puddiug for dinner
t that she left off reproaching herself and cry
e ing on Lauras shoulder.
C For | have been such an old Witch o
l. Endor to you," she remarked most truthful
ly, as she went into the kitchen
It And Charles Page, smiling up in his wife
G face as the door closed said
" You have conquered her, laura :"