Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-15

common down upon the work. Strong as a
horse himself, he thinks, suppose, women
must be the same"
Yes, Bob's a sterling good fellow, but
Jane Lawrence made a great mistake when
she said yes to his asking" cried the other.
Jones, she wasn't cut out for farmers
wife-cspocially one who keeps his folks to it
like Thompson does. She's over sensitive
delicate; any lady but her would have turned
long ago and bid him give her proper help
lie won't make his money out Of her many
years if he don't take better care of her I.
she'll run down fast. Awfully changed, she
is. She looks as faded as the old house-rooms
and they havn't seen coat O. paint since
Grandfather Thompson's day."
All, she'd better have took Joe Burnham.
The Lawrences used TO have things nice in
their home, and she'd have got 'em so still if
she'd married Joe. His wiies just gone out
in her pony ebay. l say, Jones, | wonder
whether Thompson's wile's ever sorry ?"
Was She The unconscious comments Of
these his warm friends, came crushing down
on Robert Thompson's heart and brain ike a
bolt Of fire. That she rejected Burnham for
him, he knew, when she came home to the old
homestead and took care of his invalid moth
or. Tenderly had she done it, too And,
could she be wearing out her life in hard
work for him; she, the mother Of his boys
she whom he loved well, for all his churlish-
ness Robert Thompson stole away he
could bear his thoughts no longer, and he felt
/ that he could almost kill himself for his blind
heedlessness.
The afternoon wore on toward evening.
Mrs. Thompson had finished her indoor work
the washing up Of the dinner dishes and the
putting of the rooms straight--and was going
in with an armiul Of fine things that she had
I taken from The clothes lines, when the sound
of wheels made her look round.
I've brought that white ware, Mrs.
Thompson" said the brisk voice Of Grover,
springing from his cart, and lifting down care
fully a large hamper
" But didn't order it, Mr.. Grover" she
rejoined, in rather a frightened voice.
The master did, though. Mr.. Thompson
came down this afternoon and said the things
was to come up to you at once There's the
dinner set You admired, and tea set as well.
Where shall | put 'em?"
Bring them in, please she answered
rather family. lie did as he was bid, and
then drove off.
Mrs Thompson sat down by the hamper Of
crockery and cried rs if her heart would break.
They were magical tears, too, for they wash
ed all the weariness and despair from her
face, and the shadow from her eyes and heart.
She forgot that she was tired, or that the day
was hot she only thought how kind Robert
was, and what wicked woman she had been
for saying to herself in her temper that she'd
rather have had Squire Burnham. Then she
unpacked the treasure, pulling them out from
amidst the hay, and singing softly all the
while. Oh, it was beautiful, that ware
with its clear opaque white, and here and
there delicate tracing of fuchsia or conyol-
vulus
Mr.. Thompson came in and found her in
the midst What is it, jenny" he asked
the old fond name he used to call her.
90, Robert taking a step toward him
| He opened his arms and drew her close to his
heart, kissing her as fondy and tenderly as
he ever had in the days of his courtship. 81
have been burte, little wife" he whispered,
huskily. Can you ever forgive me?
Forgive you? o, Robert never was
so happy in my life have been to blame
have not been as patient and kind as
might"
Yes, you have. You've been an angel
compared to me- | have made a slave Of
you but all that is over now. l did not
think, jenny | did not, indeed"
But--Robert--"
" You shall have more help in the house
another servant. Wen get her in, Jenny
long before the sewing club night come
round
" Oh, Robert, how kind you are fee
as light as a Bird
" And you are almost" he answered, smil'
ing a little sadly as he looked into her eager
face Wen all turn over a new leaf
Jane. Heaven knows | did not mean to BE-
cruel'
Robert, you were never that"
We'll, wen let it be bygoncs shall be
bygones if you will Oh, and fogot to say
that saw Leeds this afternoon. It's very
dull time Just now, the poor fellow says
without job on hand, so l thought I'd Civ,
him one. They'll be here to begin to-mor
row morning
"You are not going to have the hous
done up?" she exclaimed in wild surprise.
" Every square inch of it. And, onc'
the painting, and that's finished, we'll se'
what else We can do to make it look BIZ
brighter"
She hardly believed it; she burst into tears
" And have been so wicked !" she cried
" Only to-day | had quite wicked thoughts
Robert. | was enyying Mrs. Burnham
was feeling angry with every body. 1t wa
the discouragement, Robert"
" Yes, it was the discouragement," he saiC
quite humbly We will do better for th'
future, Jane; I'll try another plan"
She cried silently for a minute longer
soft, happy tears feeling that light had su
perseded darkness.
" And it has all arisen from my trying
to carry out for bit that blessed proverb
" A soft answer turneth away wrath sh,
murmured Robert, did you ever before
see such lovely white ware ?'-1he Argosy