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

through tears
"All right, then its bargain" And
Wheaton caught his wifes hand and shook il
/ by way Of confirmation
From that time Wheaton turned over new
leaf Neighbors expressed surprise when it
was told that Jane Wheaton had adopted the
two orphan children. FclIow-workmen taunled
j ohm, calling him soit.hcaried and fool, for
taking other mems brats"
One said to him %" Are four mouth. easier
to dl than two ?" Another
You'll be sick Of this before the year is
out And another
I'm see you sold ont by the constable iu
less than six months
Bat John had little to say in rcply-only
maintaining an air Of quiet good humor, and
exhibiting more interest in his work
For three weeks John Wheaton had not
lost a day-somethinc very unusual and not
one evening during that time had he spent at
NcBrdes drinking saloon. His poor little /
home, which had come TO have neglected
look was putting on new appearance The
gate that for months had hobbled on one
hinge now swung smoothly, and the mended
latch held it shut Rank weeds n, longer
filled the dooryard the broken steps were
mended, and clean paues Of glass filed many
place in the sashes where had been unsightly I
rags and sheets of paper A neglected run
ming rose was trimmed aud trained to its |
proper place over the doorway, and was now
pushing out young, green leaves and buds
Within pleasant changes were also appa.
rent. Various new but inexpensive articles /
Of furniture were to be found. Old things
were meuded, polished up, aud wonderfully I
improved With all this, marvellous to re.
late Wheaton's earnings had not only been
equal to the increased expenditure, but there /
was an actual surplus Of ten dollars in hand. /
81 never would have believed it" said /
john as he and his wife sat one evening talk /
ing over their improved condition, after the
babies-loved now almost as if their own
were asleep O. It's Just as old Brown used |
to say Waste takes more than want | |
declare I've got heart nme again thought
we should have to let the place go that ia |
never be able to pay off the mortgage. But
here we are, ten dollars ahead in less than
month; and going on at this rate wcl have
all clear 10 eighteen months"
Next day a fellow workman said to
Wheaton, half in banter" Didn't [ sec the
constable down your way yesterday ?"
-" | shouldn't wonder replied Wheaton, |
with more gravity of manner than his ques-
toner had expected
81 thought saw him looking around after
things and counting his fees on his fingers"
Likely as not " said Wheaton 81 know
of good many rents not paid up last quar-
ter. Money gone to McBrides instead Of to
the landlord -eh ?"
The man WINGED little
" How are the babies 80 he asked
"First-rate," Wheaton answered, and with |
a smile so real that his fellow.workman could
not pursue his banter
Time went on, and to the surprise Of all |
Whcaton's circumstances kept improving |
The babies had brought blessing to his
house La less than eighteen months he had
paid off the light mortgage that for years
rested on his little home; and cot only this,
had improved it in various ways, even to the
putting up Of small addition so as to give
them a neat breakfast room.
The children grew finely there were three
Of them now, for their hearts and home had
opened to another orphan baby-and being
carefully trained by Mrs. Wheaton, we're
light and joy to the house
At the end Of FIVE years we will introduce
them briefly to the reader Wheaton is a
master workman and employs ten meu. He
has enlarged ais house, and made it one of the
neatest in the village. Among his men is the
very one who banterel him most about the
children, and prophesied thar he would soon
be sold out by the constables. Poor man it
was not long before the constable had him in
L., ,,-,.4.,l o. Ia
Brides instead Of paying it to the landlord.
Walking homeward one evening after work
was over, Wheaton and his journeyman took
the same way They were silent until they
came near the formers pretty dwelling, when
the journeyman said, half in jest yet with un-
disguised bitterness -" guess we'll have to
take baby or two
"Why ?" asked Wheaton, not perceiving
what was in the mans thought
" For good luck said the journeyman.
OH"
You've had nothing but good luck since
you took poor Mrs Grants orphan children
Only such good luck as every one may
have If he will 4" answered Wheaton.
" cau't see it, returned the man. Your
wages were no better than mine had one
child aud you saddled yourself with two, and
not long added a third And how is it to-
day? You have nice house, and your wife
and children are well dressed, while | have
never been able to make both ends meet, and
my boy looks like a ragamufin half the
time"
DO you see that house over there-thc
largest and the handsomest in the place ?"
said Wheaton.
Yes"
Who owns it ?"
Jimmy Mcbride"
" How much'did you pay toward building
Iit?"
"Me2"-in surprise.
Yes, you How much did you pay to-
ward building it r.
"Why, nothing Why should [ help pay
ioy his house y
Sure enough! Why should your hard
earnings 90 to build and furnish an elegant
house for a man who would rather sell liquor,
and so ruin his neighbors, body and SOUL
than support himself in a useful calling, as
you and are trying to do r.
" can't see what you're driving at ?"
said the journeyman.
\ d" How much a week do you spend at Me-
Brides saloon p
The man stood STILL with blank look on
his face.
A dollar week ~ asked Wheaton.
" Yes"
E" Say dollar and half"
Well, say as much"
" Do you know what that amounts to in
a year ?"
"Neyer counted it up"
" Seventy-eight dollars"
No !"
Yes, to a dollar. SO, in five years at
: this rate, you have contributed nearly four
hundred dollars toward McBride's handsome
. house, without getting anything but harm in
return, aud han't 4 shiugle over your head
, that you cao call your own. Now its my