The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-10-10

for the whole town; not only disgracing
her husband, and relatives, but the sex to
which she belonged.
Yes had she been respectable mem.
Der of society, kind and devoted wife,
it certainly would have been pleasant,
and home-like scene. waited to see
her bring his dressing gown, and slippers,
and place them beside the glowing coal
stove. Do not Judge her harshly she
did not order him to 60 under the table
and lie down, but simply said "thcre is
your light, iu the corner" And there he
sat all the evening, and read his paper,
by tho dim and troublesome light of n
tallow candle.
As the evening wore away, the sighing
of the wind through the crevices of that
lonely house, added bitterness to my sor.
row. Alas was disgustingly entertain.
ed, by the, familiar conversation. OF Mrs.
Stod1ard, she made many bitter com.
many pages from the
history, Of her past lite-raked, and sift-
ed, every neighbor on the street-initiated
me into many family secrets, with in
human acuteness, void of reason or truth,
slandered her husband, and placed him
in the front rank of knavery.
After swallowing this dose of sarcastic
criticism, and as the clock told the hour
ten, l gave sigh of relief, and arose
when she said "Why, how pale you look,
Mrs. Denham! Tomorrow night 1 will
make you good dose of motherwort tea,
to quiet your nerves. Do not worry
about Mr.. Denham, but try and get q
good nights rest. IF it is his destiny to
be killed in the army, why, killed it will
be. Many fine young man has been lain
beneath the cold dark sod, without even
a slab to mark their resting place"
With this soothing cordial, and heal
ing balm, 1 took my seat at my chamber
window, to commune with my thoughts.
l was borne on tho wings Of Imagination,
to my husbands side only to swiftly re.
turn, and dwell on my future prospect.
Oh, ,icould | endure the defamatory tongue,
of this malicious woman! 1t would need
more effectual medicine, than mother.
wort tea, to quiet my nerves, were to
spend many such evenings. Thus l unused
until the hour of twelve, rang out, like q
midnight sentinel. l knelt and offered a
petition to my Heavenly Father, and re.
tired.
Greatly refreshed, arose at daybreak
and noiselessly glided down stairs, and
out into the fresh morning air. l en-.
countered Mr.. Stoddard leading beauti
ful span of grays to water. "Ah, good
morning Mrs. Denham," he smilingly
said.
Good morning Mr.. Stoddard. those
ponies are little beauties"
Eyes, a good span, l sold them yoster
day, to Judge Caldwell, for nine hundred
have black span, that to my liking
are much more fancy, but Mr-. Stoddard
has had these for carriage horses, and
lectured me all night because sold them
promised this morning, to 60 and buy
them back it took an extra hundred
dollar greenback, for Mr.. Caldwell, wa
10th to part with them do not know
how to keep so many horses, for I've no
work enough to keep them steady. B,
the way, Mrs. Denham, this pony, i
steady for ladies to ride; if you woult
like to try him, he is at your service"
"Indecd, | should be delighted"
If you will play the part of groom
| will hitch this one and get the saddle
"lle disappeared around tho corner o
the house. Soon, was awakened from IN,
reverie by the squeaking voice f"Tild
Ann" and as near as could remember
this is what she said.
Good Heavens Edwin Stoddard
where are you going with my saddle
Just carry it back and put it where 20,
found il"
II was going to get it for Mrs Den
ham. ] thought it no more than polite
ness, to let her have gray, to ride"
"Oh /. want to know if you didn't
you know that saddle was bought expires:
y for me, and Id have you understand
Edwin Stoddard, that no one takes
without my liberty. Besides, what doe
} Mrs. Denham know about riding horse
back. Little young thing like her Ora
would string her all in inch pieces. We
see. who dictates here, not you. you il
significant looking creature. just sta
J now, and pnt that saddle where you foun
5 it, and hereafter keep your hands 0
from saddles, and everything else thu
don't concern you"
: IL did not deem it necessary to as
!, leave to take it. believe bought
: and paid for it,"
e allow dare you thus address me clet
yonr feet Colonel Crockett. and come
breakfast. I've cleaned up your dirt got
= many years. 1t is all your doings, kee
: ing me here in this mudhole. | a
n nothing but an old slave, and have do
It more hard work than any three wome
|, ought to have done iou very W,
d know that this is no place for me. wa
to live where | eau have the privilege
It going to church and.
g You can attend church every Saba
n Matilda, if you will plenty horses, n
n carriage at your command"
W THAT is false. You know | have Ike
the best society, or none. l am to popul
y to attend any Of these churches Ha
J. seat here Mrs, Denham. You wait
j, her, Edwin. I've no appetite this nor
ing. No, I'd not condescend to 60
y any of these meeting around hert.
u you was not worse than brute, y
4, would get away from here, when | cou
take some comfort of my life"
W but | can't Matilda, until | eau 9
le chance to sell and if did am incl
ID ed to believe, that you would be inclin
o to stay"
't "Inclined to stay" she snecred. 81,
'g try it and see. If you are Done va
N breakfast, don't sit there Matching
le something more insulting to say. Go a
fill the reservoir. fill the wood box, n
t. bring me up some potatoes for dinner,a "a
J. then 90 LONG IN work and remember tl