Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-12-21
Turning Over a New Leaf.

Its shame :" sald Mrs Fugg, as she
hurried away, after the funeral Of Mrs Grant,
escaping from the poor, desolate room where
two children, almost babes, were sleeping
unconscious that they were motherloss It's
shame that nobody take them
Yes-a bitter shame :" replied neigh.
Dor, who was also getting of as fast as she
could, so as to shift responsibility on some
other shoulders.
There's Mrs. Grove; she might take them
as well as not. But they'll 60 to the poor
house, for all she cares"
Well, somebodyl have to answer for it, -
said Mrs. Fogg As for me, I've got young
ones enough Of my own"
&C. We left Mrs Cole in the room She
had only one child, and her husband is we'll
to-do. | can't believe she'll have the heart
TO turn away from them"
"Shes got the heart for anything But
we'll see
Mrs Cole did turn away from the Sleeping
babes signing aloud with forced Sigh that
others might hear, and give her credit for a
sympathy and concern she did not feel
At last all were gone-all but man nam
ed Wheaton, and a poor woman not able to
take care Of herself
What's to become Of these chi,drea?'
said Wheaton
Don't know. Poor-house, s'poss, an-
swered the woman.
Poor-house 81
" Yes. Nobody wants EN- aud there's no
place else for en-
" Mamma mamma % cried plaiutiye
.pl t.f .lfll
over year old, rose up in the bed and look
ed piteousy about the room. g. want
mamma
A great choking sob came iuto the mans
throat.
Then the other child awoke and said
+" Don't cry, Sissy. Mamny's gone away"
At this the little one began crying bitterly.
q" l cant stand this nohow," said the mau,
speaking in a kind of desperate way and, GO
ing to the bed, he gathered the two children in
his arms hushing aud comforting them with
soothing words.
"What on earth have you got there? ex-
claimed Mrs, Wheaton as her husband came
striding into the room where she sat meuding
one Of his well-woru garments.
1.-Two babies" he answered, in a voice so
unusual that Mrs. Wheaton dropped her work
on the floor and rose up in amazemeut.
"What?'
Mrs. Coles tive babies I've been over
to the funeral, and | tell you, Jane, it wasn't
in me to see the little things carted off tc-.he
ams-house There wasn't Il woman to look
after them-no not one. Every soul sneak
ed off but Polly Jones, aud she's Of no account,
you know Just look at their dear little
faces" And he held them up in his arms,
and let their tender, fearful, halffrightened,
hAlEwonderng eyes plead their cause with
his wife, aud they did not plead in vain.
Surprised as she was, and with an instant
protest in her heart, Mrs. Wheaton could not,
in the presence of these motheress little ones,
utter a word of remonstrance. She took the
youngest one from the arms of her husband
and spoke to it tenderly. The child sobbed
two or three times and then laid its bead
against her bosom There was an influx Of
mother-love into the heart Of this woman, who
had felt the pressure of the baby's head, and
the arm that drew it closer with an involuntary
impulse was moved by this new love
Not many words passed between the hus-
band and wife-at least not then thought
was very busy with both Of them. Mrs,
Wheaton's manner toward the children was
kind even to tenderness, and this manner won
such confidence, and drew from them such
looks, and ways, and little expressions Of
satisfaction, as touched her heart aud filled it
with loving interest.
After night-fall, when supper was over and
the children asleep, Mr.. and Mrs. Wheaton
I tpoathor aooh tbOutnC httla re-
serve and embarrassment Mrs Wheaton was
/ first to speak
Whot were you thinking about, John p
said she, almost sharply " cant have these
children"
Wheaton did not lift his eyes nor answer
but there was certain dogged and resolute
air about him that his wife noticed as unusual
Somebody else must take them" she said
"The county will do it," Wheaton replied
"The county? ?"
Yes There's room for them at the aims
house, and no where ese that know OF, un
less they stay here"
Unless they stay here J" Mrs. Wheat
on's voice rose little. " It's easy enough tc
say that but who's to take caro- Of them y
It's a great undertaking. know" an
swered the husband, meokIy, yet with new
quality in his voice that did not escape the
quick car of his wife, Z" aud the burden mus
fall on you"
:" wouldn't mind that so much, but"
She kept back the sentence that was on hoI
tongue.
but what ?" asked her husband.
"John," said Mrs. Wheaton, drawing her
self up in a resolute manner. and looking
steadily into her husbands face, " as thing
are going OH"
Things shall 90 on differently" inter
rupted Wheaton 1--we thought that al
over"
4" How differently John ?"
"Oh in every way. I'll turn over ne'
leaf"
Wheaton saw light fash into his wife
face
First and foremost, I'm not going to los
any more days. Last month had SIX day
, doeked from my wages"
"Why, John ~
, ats true-more the shame for me. Tha
! was eighteen dollars, you see, not countn
the money | fooled away in idle company
enough to pay for all these babies would ca
and wear twice over"
80, John - There was something cage
q and hopeful in his wife's face as she leane
! toward him.
, "rm in downright earnest, jana, be al
. swered. "If you'll take the babies, III d
! my part. I'll turn over new leaf Thei
shall be no more lost days; no more FOOLS
wasting of money; no spending Of evening
II at McBrdes."
q 40, john In her surprise and dellgl
. l. .o,.tA onl,, ranaat tho exclamation a