Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1872-12-13

butts, VINO was quite impenetrable TO the
notion that anybody should think Of pokinp
irony at him, did not seize word of this,
and answered complacently, They're silly
daubs aren't they9"
Nevertheless, shall buy them, Butts"
answered Halsey. "What is their price ?"
"Oh" said Butts, who would have smil-
ed had nature endowed him with capacity
for doing 50, "sixpence apiece would be a
deal Of money for such things as them,
should say"
"How do you rate the worth of labor,
Butts 2" muttered Halsey, still considering
the sketches. Each Of these drawings must
have taken a day and half to execute.
Surprising anybody were to set you working
for day and half, thengive you sixpence,
and call it deal Of money!"
"ThewagesofA male artisan average between
three shillings a day and ten; those of a
woman between ninepence and Eve shillings, 4"
replied Butts, who always took questions
gravely.
"And il must be skilled labor TO earn the
money" took up Cloves, who, although an
excellent fellow, was for uprooting sentiment
talsm. Don't let us have any paradoxes,
Halsey. You pay work if It's good if not,
you give nothing"
"That's your theory, Cloves but suppos-
ing we generalized it, and paid professional
men only for the good work they did what
would become of most novelsts, barristers,
and cabinet ministers, to say nothing of the
clergy3 III rate the drawings according to
their industry, and according to my own means,
at seven-and-six each, Butts or let us say
fver for the lott" and, putting the unknown
girls pictures together, Arthur Halsey hand.
ed the Sandbeach censor banknote.
| suppose the money could not have lain
ten seconds in Butts's hesitating palm, when
the shop-door turned, and admitted girl at
whose sight Merry, Cloves, and l, who had
begun to banter Halsey on his Quixotism, in.
stantly lapsed silent; for it needed no one
to tell us that here was the very person we
were discussng,-come as if to speak mute
ly for herself, as to her deserts, her sadness,
and her restitution. She was surprisingly
lovely, but pale and her beauty was of that
frail, infant-like sort, which has astonishcd
eyes, deep and mysterious as velvet, the tin
lest Of mouths, and timid candor spread over
all the features like a bloom. There was
nothing in her dress to mark absolute pea
ury only her ways displayed some of that
WEAKNESS which resulted from the struggle
against a current too strong. for her young
arms.
She colore1 as she entered, but less be-
cause of us than because of two smart young
ladies-Miss Ida and Miss Ada wilkins
who had come in with her. They somehow
generally contrived to be at Butts's, these
pretty and proper Misses Wilkins, at the
hour when Merry and Cloves were there /;
and, virtue.like, they forthwith began to stare
at the strange girl in black. whose name
they knew, as if they suspected her of shop
lifting.
Mara Child laid some books on the coun-
ter, and began to speak in low tone to
Butts. But Butts, amongst his other quail
ties, possessed that of being slightly deaf; so,
with her face flushing deeper at this necessi-
ity, the girl was obliged to raise her voice so
that we all heard what she said
al have brought back these books" she
faltered "and-and-as it is the end of
the month, Mr.. Butts, don't think | shall
renew my subscription. And please would
you insert this twice in the Sa,adJeach Ga
zette?" (She was crimson by this time,
and drew a slip Of paper, with halfcrown,
from her pocket.) at Is another advertise
ment, but not for governess's place"
Butts being a simpleton in all things, small
as well as great, unfolded the paper, scruti-
nized it as if it were passport, and read its
contents pompously aloud '0Wanted, some
work by needIewoman who can embroider
and make dresses. The advertiser would
work cheaply, aud as many hours a day as
desired. Address NJ. c., Circulating Lii
brary Sandbeach.'
The Misses Wilkins Uttered, and from
that unlucky moment were banished forever
from the affections of both Cloves and Mer-
ry. Halsey had covered his sketches with a
newspaper, and pretended to be examining
an album; but his eyes, glanciug over its
edges, were fastened on Mara and, on hear
ing the Misses Wilkins tinkle out their scorn,
he Redeemed as if he had been struck
Butts had heard the litter and he an
swered with a frown, "Oh, no cannot let
any more letters be addressed to you here.
You must have them sent to your lodgings.
But land il was evident these words cost
him an effort, as it he were being oonstrain.
ed to do menia! Office, --"but this FIVE
pound note is yours one Of those gentlemen
has just bought all your drawings"
Butts did not say which gentleman; but
| remember, as if it were to-day, her turn
ing round with the note in her hands and
looking at us. She gazed first at me, then
her eyes rested upon Halsey; and such an
expression of wistlul gratitude rose to her
face, that, if | had been in Halsey's place,
1 should have fancied she was speaking to
me, and | should have answered her, But
Halsey did not speak nor did she. Her
thanks were all given with the eyes; and
the reply to the thanks was conveyed in the
same manner, that is at one glance.
Continued nert peek)