Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-23
Mrs Wheaton was tho frs, TO speak

answer, but there was q certain dogged
and resolute air about him that his wife
noticed as unusual.
Somebody else must take thcm," she
said.
Tho county will do it," Wheaton re-
piled.
The county ?"
"Yes there's room enough al the aims
house. and nowhere else that | know of,
unless they stay here
Unless they stay hercl" Mrs. Whea-
tons voice rose little. ATS easy enough
to say that; but who's to take care Of
them ?"
.Its a great undertaking, KNOW" an
swered the husband, meekly, yet with a
new quality in his voice that did not es-
cape the quick ear of his wife, land the
burden must fall or you"
II wouldn't mind it so much, but
She kept back the sentence that was on
her tongue.
"But what ?" asked her husband.
John, " said Mrs. Wheaton, drawing
herselfup in resolute manner. and look
ing steadily into her husbands face las
things are going on"
Things shall go on differently" in
tcrruptcd Wheaton. 1--WE thought that
all over"
"How differently. John ?"
'Oh, in every way. I'll turn over a
new leaf"
Wheaton saw a light flash into his wife's
face.
First anil foremost. rm not going to
lose anv more days. Last month | had
six days docked from my wages"
why, John !"
ITS true-moro the shame for me.
That was eighteen dollars. you see. not
counting the money l fooled away in idle
company-enough to pay for all that
these babies would eat and wear twice
over"
30. John =, There was something
eager and hopeful in his wile's face as
she leaned toward him.
I'm in downright earnest Jane" he
answered lfyou'll take the babies, III
do my part, I'll turn over new leaf
There shall bo no moro lost days; no
more foolish wasting Of money no spend
ing of evenings at McBrides.
80 John - In her surprise and delight
she could only repeat the exclamation
As she did so this time. she rose. and put
ting her hands on his shoulders, bent and
kissed him on the forehead
You'll take the babies ," said he.
Yes and twenty more, i you keep to
this and say so,n said Jane, laughing
through tears.
"All right. then, it's bargain" And
Wheaton caught his wife's hand and shook
il by way of confirmation.
from that time Wheaton turned over n
new Leaf Ncighbors expressed surprise
when il was told that Jane Wheaton had
adopted the two orphan children. Eel.
low-workmen taunied John, calling him
soft hearted and fool, Tor taking other
mems brats."
One said TO him-"Are four mouths
easier 10 I'LL than two2H Another
You'll be sick of this before the year
is OUT And another
IN see you sold out by the con stable
in less than six mon tbs
But John had little 10 say in reply
only maintaining an air of quiet good
humor, and exhibiting more interest in
his work.
For three weeks John Wheaton had
not lost day-something very unusual; :;
and not one evening during that time had
he spent at McBride's drinking saloon.
His poor little home. which had come TO
have neglected look, was putting on a
new appearance. The gate that for
months had hobbled on one hinge, now
swung smoothly, and the mended latch
held il shut. Rank weeds no longer fill
ed the dooryard; the broken steps were
mcnded. and clean panes OF glass filled
many place in the sashcs where had
been unsightly rags and sheets of paper.
A neglected running rose was trimmed
and trained to its proper place over the
doorway and was now pushing out young
green leaves and buds.
Within, pleasant changes were also APP
parent. Various new but inexpensive
articles OF furniture were 20 be found.
Old things were mended. polished up.
and wonderfully improved. With all this,
marvellous to relate, Wheston's earn
ings had not only been equal to the in
creased expenditure. but there was an
actual surplus Of ten dollars in hand.
II never would have believed it," said
John, rs he and his wife sat one evening
talking over their improved condition, ,af-
ter tho babics-loved now almost as if
their own-were asleep. 'lts just as
old Brown used to say--'Waste takes
more than want Ideclare I've got heart
in me again. thought we should have
to let the place 60; that I'd never be able
to pay off the mortgage. But here VIC
are. ten dollars ahead in less than
month; and going on at this rate. we will
have all clear in eighteen months"