Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-02-09

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is goin' on, anyhow"
Here the speaker found some unusua
obstruction between couple Of bacl
teeth, and proceeded to dislodge it witt
all possible dispatch.
"But, Daniel" interposed his wife
"why can't you begin to do well by Tom
my now? You forget that he's seventeen
years old-too old to be punished, and
old enough to feel little natural inde'
pendence. Now, you've done little more
than feed and clothe him from his baby.
hood up. OF course you mean to give
him chance when a little older; but il
you keep on at this rate, he'll never see
twenty-one on this farm. I've often
heard you complain that he takes no in
terest in anything-either in stock or
growing crops. l think there is good
reason, Daniel You don't give him an
interest in single thing. Yes, you did
give him calf once, but when the butch
er came along you sold it and put the
money in your own pocket. You let
him drop corn for Mr.. Blake last spring
but it all went toward paying off debt
you owed that neighbor. Tommy's a
good industrious boy, but you know he's
high-strung, and is bound to learn a
trade rather than go on this way. He
may find a place a Sunbury. don't
know. l do wish the boy could stay
with us, and he will if we are just lit
tie more liberal toward him. think it's
all false economy, Daniel, that makes a
parent close in his dealings with child,
and you'll believe it some day, if not
now"
We are happy to state that this good
lady did not conclude her remarks with
the usual flood of tears. She reserved
them for more suitable occasion, and
went about her work, treading softly in
the direction of her husband, who now
stood with one foot on the woodbox, his
elbow on his knee, and his head buried
in his hand
1t hurts poor human nature to be told
the truth in reference to itself. 1t often
hurts one more to have it told by one
who loves him than by casual acquain-
tance. After few moments reflection,
however, the afflicted individual puts
provision on his former assertion by hop
ing he or she didn't intend to wound his
feelings; which thought gradually
melts into the conclusion that the offend
er may be about right after all.
Mr. Deliver was passing through this
trying ordeal. Of course his wife knew
it but you wouldn't have thought it by
her looks. Bless youl she appeared as
unconscious as need be and didn't seem
the least bit surprised when he straight
ened up, and said in his usual tone:
Well, wife, you may have hit the nail
on the head, | don't know. Come to
think it over, like enough you have, l
amt certain as to your hittin it right
square, but I'm willin' to turn over a
new leaf by way os experimentin', you
know, with the agreement of backin' out
if the thing don't work. How's that ~
No, it wasn't a slvery laugh. 1t didn't
sound one particle like the ripping of
the waves upon the pebbly Shore" No,
no. But such a hearty, healthy, conta-
gious burst of merriment, that Daniel
laughed quite heartily himself, and was
sorry when he got through, that it hadn't
lasted longer.
Why, you odd creature"-there was
tearsin her eyes, but she'd been laugh
ing, you know don't think we've
got to turn over much of new leaf
T'-but strong arm encircled her waist
and drew her into the adjoining room;
and there upon esofa, side by side they
sat and talked until the old Dutch clock
in the corner coughed eleven times
then Mr.. Deliver went out to feed his
stock and his wife to prepare the dinner.
II.
1t was 10 o'clock. Mr.. and Mrs. Del |
yer had retired an hour ago. But there
was fire in the stove, and the coffeepot |
on the back of the same rocked to and |
fro in state of much agitation The
oven door was ajar, and we discover in
side plate of sausage, some fried pota-
toes, and half mince-pie. We know |
it's mince for we can smell it. A lamp
halfturned down stands ON the little pine
table just back of cup and saucer, a |
clean plate, knife and one fork. Read
er, there is no use in denying the fact
that room was expecting company.
1t didn' have long to wait. A quick
step on the plank which led from the
gate to the house, a vigorous seraping of
feet ON stone steps, and the abrupt en-
trance of the visitor-Tommy himself.
There was nothing peculiar in the ap-
pearance of this young gentleman ex-
centinC his annetite That found the