Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-06


were bought, and then the woman paused an,
gazed ihoughthlly at the last piece Of none,
which remained. Il was a quarter
Il think | may make out the bit of fsl
for the children yet, b" she said to herself, bu
must make sure Of the lemon and suga
first"
She stepped into a brightly lighted gro
Gerry.
Have you lemons "
Very fine ones" was the reply, ." but the,
are very high at present. Sixpence apiece
Could you not let me have one or two
little lower2 They are for sickness"
Might let you have two for ten cents
perhaps, but it will be a dead loss to us
Don't make a cent of profit on them"
The lemons and the crushed sugar were
laid aside and the remaining pennies would
buy the bit of fish Almost exultingly the
mother seized her treasures, and laying the
quarter upon the counter turned to leave the
shop. But her progress was arrested by a
loud call Of:
Stop, woman, this piece of money i coun.
tcrfeit."
Tremblingly she returned.
Il was Just given me BY Mr.. Stmson in
payment for work, she said. 81 will leave
my bundle here, and 20 back with it to him.
No doubt he will change it,"
should think so, was the reply, for the
perfect simplicity and openness with which
the woman spoke evinced her honesty.
The delay was tedious, but il was unayod
able, and, as rapidly as possible, she rctraced
her steps, and before many minutes again
presented herself before Mr.. Stimson.
Well, my good woman, what now I
thought our business was settled for tonight. "
Yes, sir but if you please, this is a coun.
ierfeit quarter. | tried to pass It at gro.
Gerry, and they refused to take it,"
The gentleman examined il closely.
1t is counterfeit, certainly" he replied
care you sure that gave it to you am
worry careful what money take
! had none but what received from YOU
sir"
a doubt was still expressed on Mr.. slim.
sons countenancc.
After pause, he said cooly:
did not pay you myself, but merely
directed the boy TO give you so much will
ask him if this piece of money was among
those he gave you"
=" | assure yon, sir, [ had not another"
urged the poor woman, with energy, but no
attention was paid to her remark
Here, William"
The lad obeyed the summons, and the piece
Of money was laid before him.
did you give that counterfeit quarter to
this woman about half an hour ago2
"Of course | did not sir. never pass
eounterfeits or take them"
4" You see | can do nothing for you" re-
sumed the employer, turning TO the woman
1.-The lad knows what he is about, and he
snys he never gave il TO you"
But | tell you, sir, that had no other
money" was the indignant reply.
4" | have no proof Of that, so now take your
quarter and 60 your way. You will pass it
easy enough"
- But | will not pass it, sir. II am poor,
thank God, | am honest, and will not wrong
another, even when | am wronged myself"
What spirit spoke there !" laughingly
exclaimed Mr.. Stimson to bystander, as
with firm step, though despairing heart
the iajured woman quilted the shop, leaving
the worthless piece upon the counter
"A noble spirit" was the answer. eli
can admire uprightness in another, even if |
am not over-caretul myself. You were hard
upon her Stmson. The loss was more to her
than it would have been to you"
There would be no end to imposition il
did not protect myself
Perhaps So" was the careless reply, and
at the same moment the speaker took up the
counterfeit quarter
A slight mark attracted his attention,
and with sudden exclamation, he hastily
left the shop.
Il wish knew which way the woman
went" he muttered, as he stood in the open
air, and looked eagerly around.
Il know that quarter well | set my
private mark upon il the day that the omni-
bus driver passed it upon me. | had some
curiosity to see whether it would ever come
into my hands again. Truman was right,
things will stop. ! am sorry for that poor
woman. She has the right stuff in her, anu
sure"
AT this moment he saw the object of search
standing near lamp post, at a short distance
from him.
That must be the woman--what can she
be doing there ?" he exclaimed, az with has
~ steps he walked toward her
Why do you stand in the night air, good
"V S'n =, lii, -,
one s'ar'eu as II Waklpg from dream al
."o sounu VI ms So,oe' anu uiuWipg her tat
,Sreu shaw, arounu ner' 'no'eu quick'y away.
1hopser'ee, nc sun kep, sight Oh her, Al
me door OIL the grocery she paused. foT
entered, and her companion followed and
stood haaide har nj iha anuntar
hr, sumson VIII not eAchange the money
ior me she sa'd, tmidiy' put II you would
DC 20 Ainu an 70 let ino nave inc 'i''ie pundlo
'"u truS. 'nc ,or usy OF '"o'
Oah, 40 ~ gooa woman sorry Tor you
gu, we go N lor casn' no credit gwen.
only cou'u nave 'he lemon she
uus'nureu, pu' 'hcre was no encouragement
u ,ne 9oun,cnanoe oi inc man sne addressed,
'nu Sauiy sue 'uIheu away u 81
- 30 nara 70 uisappolnI poor Ella'
sue saiu' az she wlpeu the tears from her eyes,