Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-10-10

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distinct, and she peered more and more
eagerly in among the tall cottonwood trees
on the opposite shore. AT length four men
camo out of the woods, and entering a
skiI, started across the river. She watch
cd the skiT anxlously, for it frequently
disappeared between the waves which were
raised by the strong south wind-such
wind belonging proverbially TO Kansas
springs, as whooping cough TO children, or
gapes to chickens.
Four roughlooking men, in red woollen
shirts-lor lumbermen did not pretend TO
wear coats, except in the coolest weather.
jumped out of the skiff, and with bolster
Gus laughter and rude jeers, entered the
mill. Presently one of them spied her and
came toward her, saying boisterously,
"Hoorah for you, Nancyl Whatever
brought you'uns down ERE this time of
evenin'2 Mighty fine doins, when you
oughter be to home gettn' your old man
bite o. support Packed that youngun
down, too, I'll bet | Reckon you'd as well
| get back, right quick, noww He snatched
the baby from her and tossed him on his
shoulder, shouting, "Hoorah for pappys
man Peertiest boy in this 'ere town |
Mighty proud to see his papr Poor Nan
| cy! Her husband was drunk aganl
She hurried up the street, pinning her
deep sunbonnet more closely about her
face, that the passers might not see the
tears that would come. He had kept sober
so long that she had hoped he would come
home sober again. She had anticipated so
much pleasure on meeting him, after his
weeks absence. How often she had thought
of it in those long, lonely nights, when she
had only her child and her thoughts for
company.
1t took but few minutes to put supper
on the table. Then she sat down on the
doorstep 10 watch for her husband, worry
ing all the time lest he let something hap
pen 10 Sammy. When at last he came the
effects of the liquor were wearing Off, and
he ate his supper and smoked in silence.
She could not eat a mouthful, but she dared
not let the tears come, for she knew it
would make him angry. So she fed Sam
my, laying her face on his little head once
in while, to force back the choking lump
that kept rising in her throat. Then she
fastened to rock him asleep, lest his fret
fulness disturb his father.
The first peep of dawn found her busily
preparing breakfast, for she knew that
John wanted an early start. The sound of
the coffee-mill woke MIN from his heavy
sleep, and he lay quietly watching her by
the light of the dim grease lamp, as she
moved quickly back and forth from table
to stove; from thence TO the little row of
shelves, in lieu of a cupboard, setting on
the dishes, Watching the bacon, and taking
the crisp corn-dodger from the oven. "She
is dear good wife," thought he; "what a
scoundrel / was to max @ her feel so badly"
He knew that he bad been rough enough
TO her the night before. He wished that he
could remember what he said. OF course
he never got dead drunk, but he wished
that he ever could let whisky alone.
His breakfast was just to his liking, and
his wife as cheerful as if he was the best
man in the world. He wanted to say some
thing pleasant to break the awkward si-
lence, but he did not know how to begin.
He had an uncomfortable feeling that he
ought TO beg her pardon, but, being man,
of course he did not condescend TO that.
At length he began by saying: "You was
right pert about the break fast this morn
inc Nancvn
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