Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-07-05
and putting her hands on his shoulders,
bent and kissed him on the forehead.
You'll take the babies ? said he.

Yes, and twenty more. if you keep tc
, this and say so, answered Jane, laughing
through her teare.
All right, then. It's bargain. And
Wheaton caught his wife's hand shook II
by way of confirmation.
From that time Wheaton turned over a
new leaf Neighbors were surprised when
it was told that Jane Wheaton had adop-
ted the two orphan children. Fellow
workmen taunted John, calling him soft
hearted, and fool, for taking other men :
brats.
One said to him Are four mouths
easier to feed than two =? And another
You'll be sick Of this before the year
is out And another
I'll 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 good nature,
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 McBrides 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
I ly, and the mended latch kept it shut.
Rank weeds no longer filled the dOoryard
the broken steps were mended, and clean
pancs Of glass filled many place in the
sashcs where had been unsightly rags and
sheets of paper \ 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 ap-
parent Various new but inexpensive ar
ticIes Of furniture were now to be found
Old things we're mendcd, polished up, and
wonderfully improved. With all this
marvellous to relate, Wheaton's earnings
had not only been equal TO the increased
expenditure, but there was an actual sur
plus Of ten dollars in hand.
i never would have believed, said
John, as he and his wife sat one evening
talking over their improved condition, at
ter the babies-loyed now almost as if
their own-were asleep. It's just as old
Brown used to say Waste takes more
than want. declare I've got heart in
me again l thought we should have to
let the place 90 that ia never be able to
paw off the mortgage. But here we are.
ten dollars ahead ID less than a month
and going on at this rate. We II be all Gear
IN eighteen months
Next day fellow workman, said to
Wheaton, bali IN banter Didn't | see
the constable down your way yesterday
shouldn't wonder, replied Wheaton.
with more gravity Of manner than his
uestioncr had expected.
I thought / saw him looking around
after things and counting his fees on his
fingers
Likely as not. said Wheaton /
know Of a good many rents not paid up
last quarter Money goes to NcBride's
instead Of to the landlord-eh
The man WINGED a little
How are the babies {? he asked.
First-rare. Wheaton answered, and
with smile 50 real that his fellow-work-
man could not pursue his banter.
Time went on. and 10 the surprise Of all
Wheaton, circumstances kept improving
The babies had brought a blessing to his
hou,s In less than eighteen months he
had paid off the 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 small addition, I
so as 10 giyc them neat breakfast room. T
The children grcw fnely-there were /
TN rcc Of them now, for their heart and |
home had opened 20 another orphan baby I
and, beng earei,u'y tfa'neu " VT
Wheaton. were "a light and joy to the /
house. .n ..
At ine emu 2, H'1 car "''' ,,-i't, ~ =
duce them briefly to the Fea4ef. " neat
on ls master "orNmah, anu employs zen
men. lie has enlarged his mouse, F., and ana
made 1t one OF the neale7t i' 'he E"'"Se-
Among his men is the very one VINO pan
tered him most about the chl'ureil' ana
that be would soon ne so!d out
By the constable foor man i was hot
long be ore the constable had nun I"
charge. lie had wasted his money at
McBrlde'-, instead OF paying 1t to The land
lord T
Walking h9iHeNaId Que evening "''1i
work was over, heaton and ms Jour
neyman took the same way. They were
silent until they came near the former
pretty dwelling "hen 'ne Jouiney ma"
said. half IN jest yet with undlsgulsed bit
tcrness-' ! guess we eH have TO take
baby or t"c. ~,
Why F? asked heaton' not PCrcei'-
ing what was ID the man lnou5n'S'
Tor good luck, SAID the journey man
On!
You've had nothing but good luck
since you took poor -hrs. 'rauI orPu"h
children.
Only such good luck as every one may