Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-09-28

screen-conicss now
Yes; We keeps a painter" says Dick
laughing but he can only work of-hours, I'M
luckily"
Then that was what made you so late
every evening this month and was so
cross, and accused you Of noglecting me, when
all the time you were working for me OH"
and hid my face in his waistcoat, profoundly
ashamed Of myself "Why didn't you tell
met What horrid pig you must have thought
mcln
"Ilorrid Of course had serious idea Of
breaking off the engagement in consequence.
We'll, little birdie | must leave you in your
nest a while, and 60 to work III come
for you by-and-by, and we'll indulge in the
dissipation Of dining out to-day. Tomorrow
we must begin to forage for ourselves Dame
Trot.' And holding me close for q moment,
his great brown eyes looking lovingly into
mine, my husband left me.
| don't know why or wherefore, but my
first proceeding thereafter was to sit down and
enjoy good, sound, old.fashioned cry; upris-
ing from which refreshed like Dr. Watts
rose after the shower, bctook myself to the
task Of unpacking my whole wardrobe, which
Dick had had sent from Aunt Becky's the
day before. | took of my gray straw bonnet
with its lilac ribbons, and thc pale gray silk,
my best, and my wedding gown, and hung
those lestal garments in the closet; it seemed
like taking possession Of my home, that FIRST
bestowal Of my garments. Then, with Joy
fu cry Of Richard, darling, to think it
should be true, aud am your wife" | 60
about my work singing gayly as lark, " the
melody Of heart content
Dame Trot, said Dick to me one evening
late in October, | wish | could 90 in for
this competition at Philadelphia. It would
be a thousand dollars in my pocket to begin
with, if my designs are accepted and the
commission on the building besides, to say
nothing of other work following it,
What is it, old MANI" asked, resting
my hand on his shoulder as he sat- leaning on
the table
"Why, this don't you see ?" pointing to
a circular letter he had received, inviting
architects to furnish plans for certain public
building
"Well, why don't you go in2 OF course
you can cut the other old stupids out in a
minute, L SAID, cOnndenuy.
&C. I've no objection to try and accom-.
plish that desirable end, certainly but how
the dickens are we to live in the meantime
1t will be six weeks hard work to get out the
plans, and shan't be making cent and I've
just twenty-five dollars in the world at pres
ent." And Dick crammed his hands into
both pockets with long and dubious whistle
How lucky resisted that black silk last
June !" thought, and slyly unfastening from
the bosom of my dress where | had kept il
pinned all this time for safety, the little
chamois bag, held it demurely before hi.
eyes saying, Small contributions thankfully
received, | suppose
Why, Dame Trot, what's this ?" and un.
fastening the strings, five shining eagles arc
poured out on the table Fifty dollars -
" Where did you get itl"
" Conjured it, Of course don't you know
I'm fairy 2"
"No--but seriously"
curled my arms about his neck, and tolt
him the story Of poor fathers little legacy
and how had used half for some good use.
" Oh my pet my darling All YOU
money that you have saved SO long | can
take it from you little birdie
Nonsense saved it for you. Besides
! consider it very good speculation, to max,
thousand dollars out of fifty"
But if | lose the competition ?"
You U0nt lose it. know you will win i
for me, Dick, because" and hero, with
crimson face and the smallest mewlet of {
voice, | whisper in his ear something whicl
makes him start, and his brown eyes aast
With joy and triumph, Then he takes IN,
very closely to his heart, saying, in a low
broken voice-half pain, half exceeding low
-" God bless my darling God keep her
aud "a long silent kiss finishes the esentenco
think we both worked over those draw
ings. Day after day, for long six weeks
when house work was ended, drew my chai
beside Dicks, and sat pcrched there with m,
feet on the rung after the fashion Of little peo
pie, watching him. and silently praying 70
his success, as line upon line first rougl
sketch, then careful elevation, section an,
ground PLAN and lastly, the finished perspec
tive drawing, elaborately worked up and col
orod, emerged from under his steady, prac
ticed hand I'm sure he couldn't have though
harder or more over those famous plans than
| did.
Then came a week, two weeks, of breath
less suspense for me at least and then, on
joyous afternoon, when Dick, who had gon
out looking haggard and anxious, came Ayinl
up stairs and into the sttng-room, waving
slip Of paper, and shouting " lluzza :" lik
any school.boy.
Huzza, with all my heart :" | cried
laughing at his enthusiasm. What's up2"
" Read that, just !" and the slip of pape
was tossed over to me. looked, it was
telegram from PHILADELPHIA
Your design is accepted The committo
will write you tomorrow to come on. Con
gratulate you, old boy !" 1t was signed b.
an old friend of my husbands, Of whom h
had often spoken
" Oh, let us be joyful" sang aud
catching Dicks hands we INDUCED in a viii,
carmagnole about the sitting room, and stop
ped at last breathess with laughter and singing
Wont we 60 on together, though % sal
Dick, exultngly. It shall be your wed
ding tour, Dame Trot You're looking pale
my darling the change will do you good -
Come, what do you say to driving out Thi
ought to be red-letter day for my little pa
tient birdie. She has been so wonderfully
helpful-such a good, good little wife"
We went, In three days we had locked u
our wee hOuse in dingy St. Thomas's Build
ings, and started joyously on our journe
through the golden Indian summer weather
The great building was founded its mas
siye walls began slowly to rise from tn
ground As Dick had predicted other busi
ness quickly followed to the successful mar
as is usually the case in this world; and now
new spirit began to show itself in my ever
gay companion lie had always been indus
trious now he bent TO his work with savag
energy he spared hardly an hour in the da.
for his meals he sat up working till two o
three o'clock in .he morning, long after h
had sent me 20 bed Tho more work he had
:he more he sought after, eagerly, huugrily
lie no longer whistled and sang over his draw
ing.room desk +; when he did allow himsel