Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-08-09
Vol. 66.-33S2. No. 42.


slowed upon them. Then followed for the
next few days the usual amount Of village
gossip, concerning the appearance and behayi
our Of groom and bride. This over, and the
affair was among the things that were. All
wen, on as usual the customary busy sounds
were heard in the old shop the young black
smith had taken new cares upon himself, and
must not be idle. The father smoked his
pipe as vigorously as ever the mother piled
her knitting needles and superintended the
household concerns Of both families, for the
distance was short, and Lizzie loved to come
for advice to the kind old lady, and was quite
sure that Williams iavorite dishes could not
be properly prepared unless under her spe-
cial directions. And thus all went quietly
and happily for days and months, and even
years
The little cottage was less lonely now, and
Lizzie deemed not the time so long when Will
liam was absent at his daily work smil-
ing baby was in her arms, and a lovely little
pratter ran by her side as she took her usual
walk to grandpa's A kind welcome always
awaited her.
Lay by your things, Lizzie" said the
youngest sister, aud give me the baby. You
are to take tea with US this evening mother
was just sending me with an invitation. Your
little maid has a holiday, you know, and it
Is not fitting for you to attend to the house
hold with a babe on each arm
" Not quite so bad as that Jennie, for
Willie runs bravely by my side, aud little
Lizzie can creep around the. floor However,
| would gladly accept your invitation did |
not think VIII would return from work, and
wonder at my absence"
He will know very well where the birds
have flown, and can follow them if he likes.
Come, no more excuses | know what you
would say, II is the fourth anniversary Of
your wedding day, and you wish for a cozy,
fish, and you must learn to deny yourself
Hush, Jenny do not run on So j." said the
old lady, reprovngly. " Stay with US, Liz
zie, my child, and you can step home for Will
liam when he returns from work. Father is
at the shop to-day, and they will no doubt
leave together"
The hours passed quickly by, and the old
gentleman was soon at the gate before they
had thought Of its being near the hour for tea.
Has William gone home, father ?" asked
Lizzie, as she returned his aiiectionate greet
ing
Not yet dear He was obliged to 60 to
/ Clyde on business, aud will not return till
evening. You can stay with US to tea, and
have time to prepare for him after you 60
home promised to send Jennie to tell you
of his absence, but now | have done the er.
rand myself
" And you will have the coy little chat
after all, sister Lizzie" whispered the lively
Jennie The babies will be asleep, and
nothing to disturb you"
Lizzie smiled cheerfuly, and acknowledged
that it would be very pleasant and then turn.
ed her attention to the little ones, who were
already climbing upon grandpapa's knee.
The abundant country tea was prepared
and soon after it was over goodnight was
said, and the young mother and children re-
turned to their own pleasant home.
Fatigued with the pleasures Of the after
uoon, the ba1ics soon slept, and as Jennie
! had said, everything bid fair for quiet even
ing chat. The husbands supper was ready
t the household cares for the day were ended
and, seated at the little workable, Lizzi
, busily piled her needle, casting ever and ano
an expectant glance along the shady wall
which led to the cottage, and indulging, il
) the mean time, in very delightful RETROSPECT
$ tive view Of the events of the past few years
No clouds had as yet obscured the sunshin,
= The moonlight looked as pleasant now as
did long, long ago even in the honey-moo
5 itself William was still the kindest and be'
e Of husbands, and the most loving and indu
q gent Of fathers and when this was said
: mattered little to speak of troubles, for wit
b a good husband, much sorrow may be cheer
a fully borne. But thus far there had been n
sorrow. Worldly riches had increased 5
d that the little place in which they lived VIZ
now their own, free from all debts. Tf
e business was still thriving, and would becou
d more so, as the village increased in size al
William still continued bis old habits of j
l. dustry, Every one pronounced him risir
,e man, and what everybody said must be tru
j, Even his old friend Jim had ceased to url
,e the temperance cause so strongly upon hir
l. and had nearly arrived at the conclusion th
le William James was one of the very few wi
= might, with safety indulge in " three glass
u day"
y, Regularly were the three glasses taken
ID the village saloon, that stood near the blac
lie smith shop, and as regularly was sum equi
IL, aent to their cost handed to Lizzie upon
I'd return from daily work. At first it "
done in Joke, but soon became a thing
lie course-a fixed habit, which would have be
C, difficult to break up. No question was ey
th asked as to the disposition of the money
at " Here are your three glasses he would 81
p and quiet thank you" was the wifi
he reply.
Is, Lizzie's pleasant reflections were interru
lis ed by the sound of footsteps. She listene
at it was certainly William. Yes, yes, it v
i'd his Step and yet it fell on the wifes
,r- with different sound from usual and it v
be with an uncertain and almost hesitating fc
he ing that she rose to open the door.
lg. O" Is it you, William p She asked, bei
she turned the key,
I'd "Who else should it be? Open the d
5 quickly, and do not keep me standing on
IN. steps all night"
10 Never before had William spoken in
me abrupt and hasty manner, and Lizzie lool
at him in astonishment as she hastily did
he desired.
the What is the woman looking at ?" he
his claimed in the same harsh voice. " One wo
i'm think she never saw a man before, Can
Dns you give me some supper ~
her "Your supper is ready, William the v
vas replied, mildly. She SAID no more, for
the heart was very full, and she could with d
ted Guilty restrain her tears. A moments ref
ton, however restored her composuro. So
,il- thing very unusual must have occurred to
gill ritate her husband to so uncommon deg
is 1t was her duty to endeavor to sooth him
aid divert his mind and bring him into a bel
state With this view, after placing his 5
b a per before him, she chatted cheerfully con,
as ming the little incidents Of the afternoon
ess the pleasant tea at fathers, her disappo
old ment that he could not join her there,
md how little Willie had wished that father ha
he piece Of granmas nice cake, and baby Lii
had seemed to miss him when they retur
ne. home, and would be carried from room
s a room, as if searching for something.
rge To all this, and much more, he listeneC
|, is silence, and made no kindly response. Lii
the was sad but not discouraged, and when
a Al. ILL a..l Al -. 4: -. Al d. ,