Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-12-16
She kept back tho sentence that was on
asked her husband.


ing steadily into her husbands face, "as
things are going on"
"Things shall go differ ontly," interrupt
ed Wheaton. 1--WE thought that all over"
"How differently, John9"
"oh in every way. I'll turn over new
leaf"
Wheaton saw light flash into his wife's
face.
"First and foremost, I'm not going to
lose any more days. Last month had six
days docked from my wages"
"Why, Johnr'
"Its true-more the shame for me. That
was eighteen dollars, you see, not count
ing the money fooled away in idle COM
pany-enough to pay for all these babee
would cat AMI wear twice over" ,
ooh John ~ there was something eager
and hopeful in his wife's face as she leaned
toward him.
"Fm in downright earnest, Jane" he
answered. eff you'll take the babies, I'll
do my part. I'll turn over a new leaf.
There shall be no more lost days, no more
foolish wasting of money; no spending of
evenings at McBride's."
80 Johnp' in her surprise and delight
she could only repeat the exclamation. AS
she did so this time, she rose, and putting
her hands on his shoulders bent and kiss
ed him on the forehead.
"You'll take tho babies ?" said he
"Yes, and twenty more, if you keep to
this and say So" answered Jane, laughing
through tears.
"All right, then. It's bargain" And
Wheaton caught his wife's hand and shook
it by way of confirmation.
From that time Wheaton turned over n
new leaf. Neighbors expressed surprise
when it was told that Jane Wheaton had
adopted two orphan children. Fellow
workmen taunted John, calling him soft
heated, and fool, for "takng other mems
brats."
One said to him-"Are four mouths ca
sier to fill than twoP" Another
"You'll be sick of this before the years
out" And another
"Pll see you sold out by the constable in
less than six months"
But John had little to 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 ho
spent at McBride's drinking saloon. His
| poor little home, which had come to have
neglected look, was putting on a new ap-
| pearance. The gate that for months had
hobbled on one hinge, now swung smooth
| ly, and the mended latch held it shut.
-. H. 4 4
he broken step was mended, and clean
panes of glass filled many place in the
sashes 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 push
ing out young leaves and buds.
Within, pleasant changes were also ap-
parent. Various new but inexpensive ar
articles of furniture were to be found. Old
things were mended, polished up, and Won
derfully mproved. With all this, marvel
lous to relate, Wheaton's earnings had not
only been equal to tho increased expendi-
ture, but there was an actual surplus of ten
dollars in hand.
81 never would have believed it," said
J ohm, as he and his wife sat one evening
talking over their improved condition, af-
ter the babies-loved now almost as if their
own-were asleep. "Its just as old Brown
used to say-'Waste takes more than want
declare 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 mort |
gage. But here we are ten dollars ahead |
in less than month and going on at this |
rate we'll have all clear in eighteen |
months"
Next day fellow workman said to |
Wheaton, half in banter-"Didn't l see |
the constable down your way yesterday ?"
81 shouldn't WONDER" replied Wheaton,
with more gravity of manner than his |
questoner had expected.
"I thought l saw him looking around af- |
ter things, and counting his fee on his fin
gers"
"Likely as not" said Wheaton. know |
of good many rents not paid up last quar-
ter. Money gone TO Mcbride instead of to |
the landlord, eh?"
The man WINGED little.
GLOW are the babies ?" he asked.
"First-rate," Wheaton answered, and |
with smile so real that his fellow work
man could not pursue his banter.
Time went on, and to the surprise of all.
Wheaton's circumstances kept improving.
The babies had brought blessing to his |
house. In less than eighteen months he
had paid off tho light mortgage that for
years rested on his little home and not
only this, had improved it in various ways,
even to the putting up of a small addition,
so as to give them a neat breakfast room.
Tho children grew finely-there were
three of them now, for their hearts and
homo had opened to another orphan baby !
and, being carefully trained by Mrs. y
Wheaton, were light and joy to the house.
At the end of five yearsewe will intro
duce them briefly TO the reader. Wheaton
is master workman, and employs ten
men. He has enlarged his house. and
made it one of the neatest in the village.
Among his men Is the very one who ban
tered him most about the children. and
prophesied that he would soon be sold out
by the constable. Poor man it was not
long before the constable had him in charge.
lie had wasted his money at McBrides,
instead Of paying 1t to the landlord.
Walking homeward one evening after
work was over, Wheaton and his journey
man took the same way. They were silent
until they came near tho formers pretty
dwelling, when the journeyman said, half
In jest, yet with undisguised bitterness
81 guess We'll have to take baby or two"
"WhyT asked Wheaton, not perceiving
what was in the mans thoughts.
"For good luck" replied the journey
man.
"Ohw
"You've had nothing but good luck since
you took poor Mrs. Grants orphan chill
dren."
"Only such good luck as every one may
have If he will" answered Wheaton.
81 can't see it," returned the man. "Your
wages were no better than mine. | had
one child and you saddled yourself with
two, and soon after added third And how
is il TODAY YOu have n nipa housa nm 4 ,,,,,,..