Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-06-04


most precision.
Now that the goods we're purchased, the
next trouble was how to get them made
soon enough. She bad been obliged to put
of purchasing for want of means, and now
she could not tell which was most needed.
" If | could only get some one to help
me for a week, could soon sec my way
clear" said Mrs. Wilton to her husband,
one evening, as she sat stitching on her lit
tie garments; or, better still, Rad [ sew.
ing machine" she ventured to say.
Mr.. Wilton knocked the ashes of Of his
cigar and said "I don't see how it is Susan,
that you're always complaining of having
SO much TO do and wanting help all the
time. Why, there's mother she used to
make everything for eight Of us aud woaved
all the cloth besides"
Mrs. Wilton did not answer, her heart
was too full.
f" Nowadays the wimmen want so much
help to get rid Of work." continued Mr..
Wilton. I'd like to get SEWN machine,
but its out Of the question now, there's SO
much to be got"
Mrs. Wilton thought Of the mower and
corn-planter, but said nothing she felt
little pang shoot through her heart, then it
sank back again as heavy load. She did
not 90 to bed that night until long after her
husband was sleeping soundly. She had
worked hard all day, and sleep would be
welcome guest, but the little garment was
much needed and she must sit up aud make
it. Oh, how her tired eyes ached, but not
worse than the poor, hungry heart ached
for sympathy and comfort. She thought Of
her money-Ioving husband, and wished he
might become more thoughtful Of her COM
fort. Ii it were not for my children, she
cried to herself, | could see very little to
live for Then the thought of her little
ones, motherless, sent the fresh tears to her
eyes, but gave a sudden impulse to her tired
fingers, and she stitched away for another
hour and saw the garment completed, and
neatly folded away, she sought her much
needed rest Sabbath morning Mr.. Wilton
Put on warm, new undershirt, and saw
his little ones looking fresh and sweet in
their new garments; but he saw not that
the fingers which bad SO patiently wrought
out these changes were that morning scarce
y strong enough to iasteu the garments of
the little ones about their chubby little
forms.
Spring came, bright and joyous as ever,
dotting the prairies with flowers and filling
upland and valley with foods Of melody.
Mrs. Wilton had been growing thinner and
paIer all winter and was now scarcely able
to be about the house. The doctor had re-
commended rest--but how could she rest
with so much lying undone about her.
If | could only 60 away for a while"
she said, one morning, when she was feel
ing weaker than usual, "lf could only
90 home to mother for visit, know she
could nurse me up all right again." and
the pale lips quivered visibly.
Z" | wish you could, I'm sure replied
her husband But Susan, don't see how
can afford it. | might sell some of my
stock, but prices are low now, it wouldn't
pay at all. couldn't get much more for
them calves than gave for them last fall
after keeping them all winter. Aud buy
ing my corn-panter, about took all my
cash."
Mrs Wilton did not reply. Indeed, l
doubt very much if she heard his remarks
at all, for she was dreaming of the old
homestead, with its wide gables and large
comfortable rooms--of the stately naples
that she knew were now putting forth their
young blossoms from their candelabra-shap-
ed limbs--of the slopiDg meadow with its
violet-covered hilsdos-of the robins nest
in the cherry tree; and, above all, of the
sweet, old face that up through all, and
with outstretched arms, yearned to embrace
her tired birding in the home nest.
John Wilton glanced at her as be went
out OF the door, and mistook the flush Of
anticipated joy for the bloom of health, and
went off saying: guess she'll get better
as the days grow warmer. will try to
hire somebody for her this summer
81 can do nothing for her. said DR..
Graves to Mr. Wilton, who had followed
him out of Mrs. Wilton's sick chamber.
"Nothing for her? My God, doctor
You don't mean to say that she is past all
help ?" And John Wilton's heart seemed
to stand still for a moment.
:" | did not say she was past help" re-
piled the doctor. The truth is, Mr..
Wilton, your wife is worked down. and
unless she has rest, and plenty Of it, she
will die. And may as well say, she will
never get rest here. She must go away,
where she will have 10 care of the house or
family, or she will die. You may find
another wife, but your children will never
6nd another mother So saying, the good
doctor drove away.
The door was Dartly omen. and Mrs Will