Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-02-08

declare that a young man can turn his hand
to any thing" II may be an excellent theory,
but II IS not fact. Young men may be
willing to try anything but employers are
not willing to give unskiled hands chance.
Therefore poor Walter had run the usual
gauntlet Of "Why don't you try this ? " and
why don't you apply for that +? A" from we'll.
to-do acquaintances Of former days, until he
began to lose all faith in his felow.men. He
had now met with an engagement to act as
"super' in the Victoria pantomime, for which
he was to receive the splended sum Of nine
shillings per week
Mrs. Bingold, having given the poor ailing
infant its supper, and at last succeeded in
coaxing it to slumber proceeded to prepare
her own and her husbands last land it truth
must be told, also 6rst) mea Of the day. The
young man had rece we'd a weeks pay in ad.
vance, which enabled the luckless pair to
break their fast for the first time for four.
and-twenty hours. Thfbanquet consisted of
brown loaf, couple Of red herrings, and
small pot Of tea-a truly regal repast to one
who had been used TO make dinner of Eve
courses and to be served on silver plate by
whole clan Of powdercd.bared footmen
The young pair commenced their meal in
that sort Of sad silence which often prevails
between persons warmly attached to each
other, when neither eau find any thing con.
solatory to say. At last the young husband
made an effort.
II almost wish" he commenced.
Ills wife looked at him with sweet sad
smile aud moistened eyes.
Not that you had never met with me,
Waiter Don't say that, dearest"
"No, my darling, no A." be returned with
zeal feeling. IL should be ungrateful indeed
if | wished that, but"
Lucy Riugold sighed, for she knew that the
young man was thinking that it would have
been wiser had they deferred their marriage.
As indeed it would for no one has the right
to take upon himself the care Of wife and
possible family without a fair prospect Of
maintaining them comfortably. The young
wifi said, sadly.
"Yet | sometimes wish had never seen
you, Walter"
"Lucy :"
"Only for your sake, dear-only for your
sake 1t is hard you should have to give up
such brilliant prospects for me-"
"But see what | have gained said he,
drawing her close to him aud kissing her.
Yet such a strange composition is human
nature that, as the young man reflected on
his former luxurious home and his fathers
broad lands, he did for the moment feel as if
he had sacrificed himself.
Then our poor little Walter said Lucy,
wistiully regarding the tiny occupant of the
cradle.
"A-h" exclaimed her husband between
his set teeth. Lucy, do you know have a
mind TO- --to-its Christmas-time, YOU know"
She looked at him anxiously.
YES he added with an air of desperate
determination, Give almost made up nv mind
to go and see my father
"Oh, Walter
"Yes why not ? lie is kind at heart, aud
am his only sou. Besides, the birth of this
little fellow-a direct heir, mind you-may
soften him. And Margaret's good sort
she always liked you, Lucy"
Yes, she did, until her brother loved me-"
said Lucy, placing her hand in her husbands.
"Well, know Margaret did not like that
yet she foresaw it, and warned my father Of
it,"
81 could not help loving you, Walter "
murmured Lucy, paintively
al am sure | wonder who could help Low.
ing you, dear " he returned.
but, however, Margrct Is a good sort, and
III see her, | will
"Why not write dearest ?" asked Lucy,
timidly.
"No Letters miscarry, and poorly ex.
press ones feelings. Nothing like personal
interview to make up quarrel. Maggie will
take to our boy, I'm sure. Yes, Ill see dear
old Meg"
"But how to go2"
"A-hl Well, Iii walk 81"
walk into Westmoreland, and in such
weather My dearest "
81 can do it by Christmas-day and if
can only see Maggie on that day of peace and
goodwill, something tells me all will 20
well.n
a little of bis sanguine spirit began to in.
huence Lucy.
But you must eat and drink, dear"
How much money have We, Lu 2"
"J just half crown, dear"
Wheugh And taen you and the boy
must live while | am away Well, I'll tell
you what: I'll try and borrow sovereign Of
old Mrs. Belts she's a real brick, and not so
poor neither. And we don't owe her any
rent"
"No, thank God "
Well, then, can leave you ten shillings,
and ten will be enough for me. Bless you,
can often get a lift in cart or wagon by
| giving the driver the price Of pint of beer"
Lucy Ringold reflected The project SEEM
ed feasible enough. But suppose it should
fail, how was Walter to return to London,
and how return Mrs. Belts sovereign if that
good woman should be content to lend it !?
Then the engagement at the Victoria Theatre
must be relinquished and little as it was,
still it was certainty. However, she knew
that they could not possibly live on nine
shlllings week -four Of which would have
to be paid to Mrs. Bettsl and as she, besides,
really felt something Of her husbands hope
ful spirit rising in her own breast, she at last
agreed with him that they had better risk all
on one final throw and it was resolved to
apply to Mrs. Belts forthwith, aud state the
whole truth TO her, canddly owning the risk
she ran Of her sovereign remaining unrepaid
But that good woman (who owned three Of
the houses in the street, and had a snug little
bank account besides) no sooner heard the
story of the young couple than she was eager
20 lend them five or even ten times the sum
they asked.
To this, however, Walter Ringold would
not consent but he borrowed a sufficient
amount to keep his wife and child during his
absence, and reserved for himself enough to
travel half the way to Kendall, resolving TO
walk the remainder of the journey.
1t was Christmas.eve- hour between
seven and cight-when, amidst shower of
thlck-falling snow, Walter Ringold entered
his native village, which, as we have said,
was in the vicinity of Kendall
The young man, worn out with the fatigue
of the journey 1.-THE latter halfof which had
been accomplished oa foot,) faint with insuf.
ficient food, and wet to the skin by the in
cessant snow aud sleet had not fully made up
his mind how to act His one vague idea
was, to obtain an interview with his sister
MarOaret and vet he hasifatad m no nm IN