Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-02-21
WHY TOyu.uI' DIDN'T 90.
BY JOHN N. DtCKIE.

"Look here, Betsey," said Daniel Deliver
as he walked into the kitchen, one chilly
March morning, with pail Of milk in each
hand, "look here, now. There is some
thin up, and no mistake. That boy Tom
my has made tracks for Sunbury agin, as
sure as shootn' p
His wife, a neat, brlght-eyed, cherry
looking lady-yes, lady, mind you l.
took the milk into the pantry, strained It.
carried 1t down dellar, returned, cleared of
the breakfast things, set back the table,
and disappeared once more in the pantry
without saying word.
Mr.. Daniel Deliver was considerably sur.
prised. He had never known his amiable
spouse to observe so strict silence at any
remark of his since they had been man
and wife. He really didn't know what to
make of 1t. He drew little nearer to the
stove, rubbed his hands vigorously, cough
ed nervously, and finally made bold TO
say:
"why, Betsey, what's up"
"I was thinking, Daniel, Of the day you
and were married." was the answer In
subdued voice.
as that so ?" replied Mr.. Deliver, family;
"well, / declare - and he sat down and
glanced around as If he didn't exactly feel
at home.
But matters had not yet come to their
worst. If he had only known the turn af-
fairs were about to take, he could have
made some sort of preparation but as 1t
was he was totally unprepared. Therefore
when his wife stepped hastily into the
room and threw pair Of plump arms a
round his neck, and kissed him three
times, In rapid succession, his astonish
ment knew no bounds. Totally hoored by
such an unusual display of affection, he
could do nothing better than reiterate his
former question:
"Why, Betsey, what's upf"
"well, I'll tell you what's up, and that
very quickly" replied his wife, as she seat
ed herself on his knee and imprisoned his
brawny hands between both OF hers; Gin
deed 1 will. I'm going to give you regu-
lar curtain lecture"
The prisoner began to look decidedly sill
ly.
"You see, when you said Tommy was of
again. 1 took to thinking of the day we
were married. Don't you remember lit
lie remark you made at that timer"
The prisoner made IA movement as II he
would free his hands from their manacles,
and shook his head.
"Well. do, then. You boasted that II
| ever YOU we're blessed with a son you
should be sure of success In his training |;
for YOU could never forget, as many do,
that YOU were once boy yourself. But
YOU have forgotten 1t, and by your thought
lessness-and love Of SELF too, Daniel-you
are slowly but surely driving our only
child from home he breads to leave, as we
to have him CO."
| This was the first time In her life that
Mrs. Deliver had ventured to alk plainly
to her husband. That they loved each 9TH
er there was no doubt whatever. A more
even tempered man than Daniel Deliver
never lived, and his wife fully appreciated
1t, as any sensible woman would. But he
had one fault-a fault he was not aware of
possessing, of course. 1t was seltishness.
Although not stingy man, in the exact
sense of the word, he evidently considered
himself the fountain head from which all
blessings emanated, and as a natural con-
sequence, had come to the conclusion that
profits must fill the pockets OF him who
had to suffer the loss. But, as we before
remarked, he didn't know that he was sell
hsh-never had any such idea; and when
his wife gave a hint to that effect, his In
dignation knew no bounds. Springng to
his feet, he Confronted his jailor with an
angry irown, and the words:
"Tm selfish, am I? Well, well, now,
Bet (he had never nicknamed her before)
I think things is comm to pretty pass
Whered you bin If 1t hadn't been fol
me, I'd like to knowf All you do is to ask
for what store clothes and other fxins you
want, and you git 'em. What fills up tha
bank you're all the time drawin' on, heyi
It's that there selfshness, as you call 1t
and without it we'd all be in the -poor-houst
to-day"
At this point Mr.. Deliver called halt
and pulling splinter off a stick Of stove
wood in the box at his feet. he began pick
ing his teeth quite vigorously. But seeing
his wife would say nothing, he proceeded
with his remarks, but in somewhat mild
er key:
"There's Tommy, now; I've done heal
for that boy-handed over pocket money
fed his company, give him good clothin'
with the intention of doing well by hin
when he's twenty-one; but the scamp don
; appreciate it no more than nothin'. Pv
done nv best, and If he's mind to ge
contrary and want two oars, he must ROY
his own boat, that's all, for I'm gettin' sicl
of the way things is goin' on anyhow"
Here the speaker found some unusua
obstruction between couple OF back teeth
and proceeded to dislodge it with all posi-
, BILE dispatch.
"But Daniel" interposed his wife, "wh
can't you begin to do well by Tommy now
You forget that he's seventeen years old
i too old to be punished, and old enough /
feel little natural independence. Now
you've done little more than feed and cloth
him from his babyhood up. or course 20
u mean to give him a chance when lttl
older, but, If you keep on at this rate he
u never see twenty-one on this farm. Nv
often heard you complain that he takes n
interest in anything-either in stock or th
n growing crops. think there is good res
!. son, Daniel. You don't give him an inte
IS est in single thing. Yes, you did Civ
g him calf once, but when the butcher cam
k along you sold 1t and put the money
y your pocket. You let him drop corn f
Mr.. Blake last spring, but II all went L
s ward paying off debt you owed thi
!, neighbor. Tommy's a good, industrior
'r boy, but you know he's high-strung, an
1t is bound to learn trade rather than {
this way. He may find place at Sunbur.
/ don't know l do wish the how coul