Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-11-29
\ Selrft Story.
DAISY'S VICTORY.
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.
The February afternoon was cold and
clustering, with skim of snow whitening
the bare meadows and frozen hills, and
every prognostic of a heavy fall as the day
closed H.
Mrs. Arnold came up from the stable,
where she had been giving the last wisp
of hay to her one milch-cow, with a small
tin pail in her hand. A little fairy of
child, with blue eyes, and golden curls,
met her IN the doorway.
Wont you give me Just a little bit
o'drink, mother ~ she said, coaxingly.
I'm getting so very hungry, and Brindie's
warm milk is so nice"
'Yes, my darling" replied her mother,
putting down her pail, and going to the
dresser for cup "but poor Brindie is
short Of food, and can't give as much milk
this bitter weather; and poor papa must
have the better part, you know but Daisy
shall have a little drink
She poured out few spoonfuls, which
the child swallowed eagerly.
''Iow NICE" she said, smacking her rosy
little mouth. "Oh, mamma do YOU mind
how we used to have so much milk last
summer, and sweet white bread, too :?
viii it be 50 again, mamma, when the
roses bloom, and the green grass comes ?'
Mrs. Arnold looked down into the little
hunger-pinched face, and her eyes filled
with tears. Il hope so, dear" she replied,
choking down a sob
Just then she heard her husbands voice
fromthe adjoiningapartment. She hasten
ed to put away the milk, saying, as she
did so,
''Go play with Dollie little now, Daisy,
and mamma viii hunt up some supper for
you, as soon as she attends to poor, sick
father"
Tne little thing crossed over to the
lounge, and taking up an old doll, all
bundled up in bits of calico and old flannel,
sat down and began to pet it.
Poor Dollie poor Dollie! are you so
hungry ?" she would murmur in her sweet,
bird-voice, dropping kisses on the faded
face. "Never mind, summer will come
by-and-by, and then Brindie will give lots
o'milk, and we'll all have enough. Oh
won't that be nice, Dollie? ?"
The sound of suppressed weeping from
her fathers chamber attracted her atten.
ton. She put down the doll and listened
1t was her mother weeping as if her heart
would break.
Poor Bessie" her father said, raising
his thin hand to caress and stroke hei
hair, poor, oyerworked little wife, dont
/ give up so"
But Mrs Arnold wept on. She was &
pretty, loving, busy little woman, thi,
mother of Daisy, intensely unselfsh, anc
very brave and hopeful for the most part
But the strongest of us break down al
times, and poor Mrs Arnold was as weal
as a babe that wintry afternoon.
II know how selfish it is, Tom," sht
said, lowering her head until it rested OF
the pillow beside her husbands wan face
''to fret so, and you so sick ; but my hear
was so full; let me have my Cry out, anC
| shall be all right, then.
But | can't see what we are to do
Bessie" replied her husband, still strokin)
her bright brown hair, "indeed. [ can't
Your father was right, it was selfish in M
to marry you. Iwish--"
But her passionate kisses hushed tn,
words on his lips.
Not that, Tom she entreated so
Gods sake never say that. Come wha
may, bless God forever that you are m,
own, my dear, true husband. Oh, Tom
this want is bitter and dreadfal; but i
can't change our love for each other, Cal
it, Tom ?"
Never, darling, never" he replied
soothing and caressing her as he woul
have done a child. "IfI could only get O.
my feet again, we would soon outride tn
storm but this arm will keep me dow
till spring And you've spent your las
dollar, haven't you, Bessie?"
Poor Bessie tried to prevaricate; til
truth was, she had not possessed a dolla
for week.
AAuu viz hiOA 'SSdSO OoilSD NoS Oh L 4
day." continued her husband, land Dunba
threatens to sell the house over our head
doesn't he ?"
"Yes, Tom"
He sighed heavily, glancing out with
shudder at the wintry storm.
"And no fuel, no food for you and th
little one," he went on. "God help US,
can't see what we can do y
"Let me go to father, Tom," said h
wife, timidly.
But his wan face darkened, and his ey'
flashed.
"Never with my consent, Bessie"
! said, excitedly. ''You went once, and
turned you and the little one from his dool
! you shall not 60 again, not if we starve
His wife wept silently, stroking his tn
. hand the while, her memory going back
the halcyon days of her girlhood. 81