Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-01-06


past at the village tavern that she was
very beautiful but pale and sad, and
kept her room most of the time. But
they had disappeared as suddenly as
they came.
1t is just ten years since Mrs. W. re-
ceived her New Years gift. Let US take
another peep into the kitchen of Fed
Stone Farmhouse. The group is snlll-
er now than then The farmer who
murmured ten years ago that he had 50
many mouths to feed has,now only one
child left him-tne little faxen-h haired
girl that is sitting beside his knee. The
rest are all sleeping in the little church
yard. A heavy misfortune has befallen
him the thirst for riches has brought
its usual curse. Possessed with the
mania for speculation, he mortgaged his
farmhouse and all that it contained
The gilded bubble burst, and the dawn
ing of the New Year found him ruined
and homeless man. This was the last
night that he and his were to remain in
the old homestead, that had been in his
family four generations, and was linked
to his heart by so many tender memo
ries. On the morrow they were to 90
they hardly knew where. 1t is true,
many of the old neig ghbors-kind, good
souls-had offered him a temporary
home; but it was hard for that proud,
self-reliant man to accept charity from
any.
What can we do? Where can we 60 p
he groaned, as he thought of the morrow.
"The Lord will provide. john" said
his wife, lifting her sad, patient eyes to
his. "He has never forsaken us. Nei-
ther will he ever forsake any who trust
in Him.
But the farmer lacked the Christian
resignation that made that gentle heart
such haven of peace and love-
"Aye, that's what you've always.said,
wife, he retorted, impatiently, and you
see what we've come to. For my part,
| don't think the Lord troubles himself,
much about us, any way !''
Mrs. Williams might have said that
he had bro ught his misfortune upon him.
self, but she wisely forebore. Just then
there came the sound of quick buoy
ant step, and there burst into the room
a fine, sturdy lad of about ten, his eyes
bright and his cheeks glowing from the
keen frosty air.
''It's bitter cold, [ tell you !" he ex-
claimed, throwing his cap boy-fashion,
upon the kitchen settee, and stepping
up to the kitchen fire. ''Not but what
I've been warm as toast, all but my ears
and fingers" he added, blowing upor
the latter as he spoke.
"Here is something for you, mother,
he said, seating himself on a stool at hel
feet, and tossing into her lap shining
piece of gold.
"Why, Arthur. where did you ge
this %
ga strange gentleman down at tn,
tavern gave it to me, mother. He asket
me into his room and gave me as man,
nuts and raisins as l could eat, beside.
81 wonder who he is.' she said mus
ingly.
81 can tell you,' exclaimed her hus
band, his eyes flashing angrily. II
is the owner of Red Stone Farmhouse
He is the man who bid against me o.
the few articles | wanted to reserve
The curse of the homeless rest upon him.
NAY, John,'' interposed his wifi
gently; perhaps he did not know hoy
highly you priced them
"Yes he did; Parson Wood steppe
up and told him. But he only smiled
and said he wanted to buy everythin
just as it stood"
''Well, said the boy, gazing thought
fully into the fire, Il can't help pityin
him, he looked so sorrowfa. He aske
lots of questions about you, mother, an
; all the rest of us and kept walking u
and down the room, wringing his hand
and groaning as if he was in great tro,
, BILE.
81 will buy you new coat with thi
! Arthur" said Mrs. Williams, as 81
{ examined anew the gold coin. "Yo
, need one bad enough" she added glan'
: ing, with a sigh, at the well-patche
, roundabout.
, "You shall do nothing of the sor
mother said the hearted bo,
you shall buy yourself and sissy
! nice warm shawl y
e Before Mrs Williams could repl
: there was a quiet knock at the doc
Farmer Williams opened it. It W;
/ only a boy, who brought small pare
), for Mrs. Williams.
l Another New Years gift, suppose
e he said bitterly. as he handed it to he
e for he was in a bitter mood. Mrs. Wi
t liams glanced reproachfully at her hu
G band
g God grant that it may bring US
It much comfort" she said. laying h
II hand fondly upon the head that W
II resting against her knee.
o AS she opened it. she uttered an c