Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-08-01
Rftfratmre.
THE PRESCRIPTION.


cd to take those sheep. l want the Meri-
nos And while l am getting ready, please
take my memorandum book and note down
four harness straps, Eve pounds Of nails and
a gimlet, halfa jockey strap, and-and, yes,
believe that is all. forgot them when
made out the items this morning"
Mrs. Streeter rose YEARLY, laid her sleep
ing babe quietly in its crib, and proceeded
to record the articles named. She was young
not over twenty -6ve but the blonde com.
plexion was sadly faded, the brown hair thin
and lusterless, and faint lines were already
marking the white forehead, while the tired
eyes told Of care and limited strongly Of an
unsatis6ed heart
And this thin-cheeked, pink-lipped woman
had been called beauty, only seven years
before She had been admired and petted,
but not spoiled. And when she gave her
hand to Newton Streeter, she could say what
SO few girls of eighteen can ~ married
my FIRST love-"
Judge Streeter, the father, was supposed
to be wealthy. But soon after his sons mar.
riage, financial crisis came and his thou
sands dwindled into hundreds.
1t was false pride, perhaps, but the young
man shrank from position under those who
had once looked up to him. And his
thoughts turned wistfully toward the West
ern prairies, where the sum he could now
call his own would render him Independent
Of others at least. He expected objections
from his young and accomplished wife. But
she saw with his eyes, and was not only will
ing, but eager to go and help him make a
home that should be all their own. The pur.
chasing Of q prairie team, some farming i'm
plements, and the expense of building a
small house, exhausted his entire capital
and the young couple began their married
life as many others had done who had not
been blessed with their advantages. A hired
man seemed necessary on the farm, but a
girl could be dispensed with. Indeed, the
small dwelling contained but three small
sleeping apartments, and this fact, added to
their uncertain income, induced Mrs. Street
er to take upon herself the entire care Of
the household
She was a systematic housekeeper-ab-
'hOrred dirt in all its phases; and the rich,
alluvial soil seemed ever haunting her, like
haunting spirit that would not be appeased
In dry weather it was fine, black dust that
found its way everywhere and in wet it be-
came Emutch that was hardly less aggra-
waiting.
Two children had come in the seven years
to nestle in her bosom. But one, a fairy
child Of three summers, had slid away from
them, and was now sleeping beneath the
flower Of the prairie. And the tired wife
had sighed as she looked on the cold, folded
hands.
She will never toll as have done, but
oh, wanted her so much !" the lonely
mother sobbed forth.
Mr.. Streeter was now considered a
wealthy farmer. His acres had broadened
and his stock increased the little village, a
mile away, had put on city airs, and tn,
steam horse waited respectfully at its depot
Still the thrifty farmer confined himsel
closely to labor, hardly taking time for need
full rest. The love of getting had increased
with his gains, and he was constantly schem
ing and planning to add to his already manl
acres. Physically and mentally strong, HI
grappled with toll, and it hardly left mari
on his splendid physique-bronzed a little
aud with gentle, loving wife ever studying
his tastes and wishes, why should he wea
out fast?
But of her ? Naturally frail, she had beel
like willow bending beneath burden vol
UNFAIRLY taken up. With the exception o
an efficient girl for a few weeks when littl
Mary died, she had performed all the labo
required in the house since she became it
mistress.
As girl, she was great reader and ex
travagantly fond Of music. But there wa
no room in the small dwelling for a plane
and books only added to her labor by accu
mulating dust, for where was the time.
| know this Is dreary picture for farm
er's wife, but perhaps there is another side
Newton Streeter took the memorandum, glanc
ed hastily at the neatly written items, an
then said
81 One thing more, Mary, and then I'm of
Please sew this button little closer"
The loose button was confined to its place
and then Mary Streeter watched her hus
band as he stepped into the light buggy an
drove away.
But not longer might she linger, for tn
sponge was waiting in the kitchen to b
kneaded, and the babys maps were like an
gels visits. And before her task was we
over his bugle note sounded to arms, and tn
fretful child was taken up and caressed an
sOothed to quietness. But he would not e
down again, and back and forth from tn
hot kitchen she carried him, as she watche
the loaves browning in the oven.
She was conscious Of strange dizznes
when she arose from a STOPPING position
her head was aching miserably and her eye
seemed burning. What was coming owe
her ? She must be i'll Oh no she had n
time for that And then her thoughts drift
ed away to the dear old home of childhood
And she asked herself for the first time
she had done wisely in leaving it for thi
life of toll and care.
1t was dangerous position for wife an