Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-08-15

Blinded by her great love for him,
she saw not the extreme selfshness
and coarseness Of his nature. She
implicitly believed all his promises and
needed not the warning of friends.
1t seemed Il long time since then,
so many. shadows had darkened her
pathway, darker yet seemed to grow
! lite's rugged journey. She saw her
six sons growing up around her,
amidst rough and evil influences, with
out ability wholly to counteract them,
Mrs. Giles remained long time bow
ed over that breakfast table, praying
with II sense Of helplessness and a
feeling Of need, such as she had never
before experienced "A loud at rap the
door startled her. On opening it, she
found Mr.. Harris had called to pay
off a note that had long been due, Il
note Mr. Giles said he would never be
able to collect. "'rhe poor wretch, "
he insisted, "wilI never be able to save
enough to pay his honest debts, while
his wife spends all his money on such
foolish things as was washing ma
chimes"
Mrs. Giles informed Mr.. Harris of
her husbands absence, but said she
would attend to the business. When
all had gone, Mrs. Giles sat sometime
looking at the money in her hand
At length new thought came into
her mind Carefully placing the bills
in her pocket, she went into the kitch-
en- and finished her morning work,
and then dressing herself, she walked
down to the station, which was but a
quarter of mile distant. She was
just in time for the morning train to
the city, ten mile away.
1t was nearly four o'clock in the
afternoon when she returned home
Mr.. Giles was still absent, Leonard,
the eldest son stood in the yard with
the team.
"Heigho, motherI" said he, Il was
just gong to look for you. | thought
it was too bad for you always to
walk"
"Well my SON." she replied, ''you
would not have found me, I've been
to the city"
"The city! Gee whitaker" and
Leonard gave prolonged whistle.
Eyes" said Mrs. Giles, getting into
the wagon. "And now ! wish you
to go to the station with me and bring
home my purchases. "
Leonard mounted beside her say
ing: $50 the old man did shell out
for once in his life and give you a
little money did he ?"
Mrs. Giles reproved Leonard for
speaking thus of his father, but he
continued, "Well, | can't help it, /
think it a mean shame he never
gives you u cent to spend, but sends
you to the store at the corner, with
the same old order, please let the
bearer have what she needs I'd
make it convenient to need a great
many things if were you"
1t was late when Mr., Giles return,
ed. He hastily dismounted end gave
his horse to one Of the boys. Enter
ing the house, he called for his supper
in no gentle tones. Fortunately sup
per was just ready. Having satisfied
his ravenous appetite, he arose from
the table saying:
"Come boys, its time you were in
bed, I'll want you up by daybreai in
the mornin," and setting the example,
he went to bed himself and was sound
asleep. About eleven o'clock Mrs.
Giles having finished her work and
made preparation for an early break
fast, retired to rest. Being very much
fatigued by the days excitement, she
soon slept heavily,
After the first nap Mr.. Giles was
restless and uneasy he tossed and
turned from side to side, but no more
sleep for him. He concluded to get
up. Having dressed himself, he took
a candle and proceeded to the kitchen.
The slender tallow dip threw a lurid
light around the room. Things SEEM
ed to have sadly changed since morn
inc Raising the light above his
head, he gazed long and earnestly
the kitchen. There stood a
new stove, with its black and polished
face smiling upon him row of
bright and shining tin ware was neat
ly arranged on the shelf behind it.
Turning round, his eyes fell upon
washing machine with wrjnger attach.
ed taking hold of the crank and Civ
ing a turn or two, he said
"a sewing machine by thunder IL
but how in the name Of common sense
they sew on it, is more'n can tell.
Placing the candle on the table, he
came in contact with a patent churn.
''What another blasted concern -
Polly Polly !" he screamed, seizing
the candle and hurrying back to the
sleeping room. In his haste his foot
caught in the frame work of the sew
and he fell full length in
the middle of the floor while the
candle found resting place on the
opposite side of the room.
Mrs. Giles, suddenly aroused from
q sound sleep, started up in bewild-
cred way, saying "What is 1t Philip
What is the matter ?"
"Matter enough" growled he, pick
ing himself up, and rescuing the
candle from its proximity to the bed
clothes, " who has been filing up the
house with all that trumpery, and who