National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-09-29

something or live in the street, whicl
would be unpleasant, though economical.
1t was settled the next night ! knew
II by her smile lovely cottare situat
ed SO and So with two poplars in front anC
a back yard large enough to hold GU
weeks washing on the line half mil,
walk, with busses, cars and none Of th'
modern improvements.
"Hobsons choice, my dear" was my
comment.
"Ihe best we can get for our money,
think she replied.
That settled it. The next day woulC
he the first day OF May according to calen
ders and landlords My wife kindly vol
unteercd to superintend the moving, as
should be busy all day and night at tn,
store transferring goods.
sect the honestest and weakest-ookinp
eNpressman you can find, and then flee
To move successfully, my dear, is an act
more difficult than TO win battle"
'ln theory, Tim, for you" said Lefty.
For you, tomorrow, il will be prac-
tee" A look of grim resolve came over
her face, and felt that we were already
half moved. signed the leases and then
we went into the different rooms together,
that might say, or look gooi-by,"
"We have been happy here whispered
my wife.
"We shall not leave the dormant echo
OF an unkind wordn--which was the truth,
~ am thankful we have had even this
poor shelter" ! said as closed the door
to the last room visited, never again to be
opened to me.
| had gone some distance that evening
when il flashed upon my mind, incident to
business at the store and the many houses
to rent, about which we had been talking,
the location of our new home had passed
entirely out of my mind.
"Put it down on paperm | said to my
memory, for day or two" put the
slip in my pocket and turned away.
Don't go, Timn spoke Lefty, with
sudden and unusual sadness in her voice.
Her eyes were teartu. "It's bad luck to
come back again"
"Pshaw An old woman's superstition.
fll see you tomorrow, all costly settled.
There! Good-by! Good by, Tod p
"Good-by, papa p cried Tod, which cry
heard until turned the corner, than<
ing God for giving me such good, patient,
loving wife, and boy that was As smart
and strong AS could be found in the city.
'Tlsn't everybody has such blessings, nor
the half of them more's the pity for the
good OF the world
That was hari work we did that night
and day for "Crutch q Arnless." Not
minutes let up until 3 o'clock in the morn
ing, when we had hot supper and an
hours rest. Then at it We went again for
the day. | labored, with my thoughts !
with my wife and her share of trouble, and
with wondcrings as to how she was get
ting along. and performed my duties as |
as a steam engine. Ii was a
very long day to me !: and not one Of the |
men was more glad than | when, early in
the evening, Mr.. Crutcb came to the office |
door and said they thanked us very much .
for the way we had worked and what we
had done, and that we might quit until
the next day. He guessed matters would /
run smoothly now. | was anxious to see
my family, and hurried away. After rapid
walking for couple of blocks, it suddenly |
occurred to me that was on my way to
my old residence, and that the street and
number had utterly passed from my mem
ory, and that my wife had given me
Stopping under gas-ight,
| felt in the pocket where the paper should
have been. 1t was not there. All the
other pockets were searched, turned inside
out; but the precious bit of paper was not
to be found. 1t didn't matter how lost
il. it was gone. Then | tried my hest to
recall the location but half dozen mum
berS and streets came into my mind all at
once. had no trail of the home of my
wife and child. At 9 O'Clock at night who
could tell me where | lived. | was so
worn out with work that this predicament
brought the tears to my eyes for a minute.
eliminated, and shivered.
W hat would Lefty think Of this absence
W here, Q! where was she When il
,ame into my confused brain she Lad said
about Stewart avenue-the
number could not recall | started on a
'un for that street, and reaching it, wan
Tered to and fro, scanning the windows to
zee her face, the houses to note II any one
,t them answered to the description she
lad given. Vain labor Sick at heart
'etraced my steps, and went to police
headquarters.
.'N nat !. wanted p said polite official.
"An odd occurrence-Fye lost my wife"
ayes Bless your soul, that's not odd.
Men come here with that news every day,
Do YOU know the road-the tran she
ook ~ he queried
''Pshaw! don't mean that" with an
ngry feeling at his stupidity. "My wife
moved on the lst and have lost the ad
l,. Itfl ItnnNr htt H.uraH
| added, apologetically, As
wo or three men began to laugh. /,
"Well. that is odd" the official, a cap
ain agreed but can't see how we can
elp you"
'Nor |, Just at present, You can advise
ne, perhaps p
"You don't know the street, you say.
DO YOU know the expressman 2"
"Never SAW nor heard OF him." an
wered.
wife got any friends here-brothers,
listers, aunts, uncles, etc. "
''Nu intimate friends OF relatives. We're
strangers III the city" ,
"Well, | don't know what to do. Per-
aps we might find out something in the |
curse of three or four days" meditatively !
ubbing his chin. ,
"No sooner ?" in an appealing voice.
Cant say. Several thousand families ,
nove on the lst of May. Perhaps some =
t our men may pick up the family or news '
4 it they wouldn't know about it unless |
ppealed to-" 7
"Well thank you," ! said, turning ,
way in misery of heart.
"By the way" continued the captain, {.
blowing me to the door, ''does your wife a
cad the papers?"
"Sometimes-not often"
Lu--..lla,. IL. L.. I Lal. tn luX them !