Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-12-19
The Leisure Hour.
HOW LOST IVY WIFE .s.vD B.s-
BH'.
BY PAUL BoFFIN.

"Crutch & Armless" did a lively business
as wholesale grocers. l was clerk in their
store. My name IS Doray-Timothy Do
ray; my wile's name is Lefty, for short,
and my three -year-old biby-a mighty
fine boy by the way-is nicknamed TOD
dler." Misfortunes, which ii is not neces-
sary TO specify, have forced me 10 work at
to support this family, whom l hold dearer
than all else upon earth. At the time of
my loss, or rather in the latter part of April,
1, with the other clerks, labored early and
late, night and day, the season of trade be-
ing unusally active, TO which was added
preparations for removing, on the first of
May, to the new store of the firm. Busi-
ness kept me jumping all the time. / swal-
lowed my breakfast at a few mouthfuls In
order to be on time at the store. lived so
far away-over two miles-that could not
go 10 dinner. Olentmes 1 went without
my supper, reaching home at eleven o'clock
at night. Consequently l saw Todjler to
speak to him only on Sundays, and NY
wife perhaps an hour or two day. No
agininGs of the worst kind as To my condi.
ton of holy, farcying me dead or mutt
lated, the victim of some dire casualty,
whenever failed TO come home at my US
ual time. All in all, it was dogs life
but what can fellow do when he's as poor
as an ecclesiastical mouse?
One night Lefty asked abruptly, as en-
H.. nv. Os
The doctor is our landlord-an excellent
man in collecting his rents promptly, and
without the abatement of a penny.
"Nor was my answer. "Its not the
first of the MONTH"
"But he's been here. Our rent is to bt
raised ten dollars a month from the irst o
May" and she drew back as if the better tc
study my face under the effect of the an
nouncement. Then, as my lips were ST.
lent she burst out with
"We'll stay, of course. Well live ant
work for him, instead of ourselves and Tia,
babv."
81 can't get away from the store TO hun
up house."
leave il 10 me! I'll get one nearer tn
store, cheaper rent, and newer building
It can he done. I'll do tiff you'll le
me-"
"All right. l prophesy tears for you
trouble" in a warning way.
mot more than if we stay. You dom
realize what have to endure, with no on
but Teddy to amuse me-
"Be mare social with your ncighbors,"
suggested.
"My neighbors" scornfully. THAT
| Just like man! Do you know who ou
neighbors are? or course not ! A pros
| porous, wholesale washerwoman on on
side, and a dilapidated old quack docto
and his mummifed wife on the other; il
front, parade ground for geese. Visitor
none-save that insurance solicitor, VIII
seems TO como only when you can spen
| an evening al home, and so spoil my hap
| pness by his figures. | believe he " atch
es for you. And his wife-what dowdy
Dirty ribbons and fingers, and nails, and
face painted so much that it cracks whel
she laughs. | shall die If I have to stay.
"Do as you like, wife; but the time i
short. / wish | could CO."
"IIush not word. III be glad to d
it, you good old man." skipping alb 7ut lik
little girl. "I'll begin in the morning"
The next evening l was lucky enough t.
reach home by nine o'clock, and to get
hug and a kiss from fodder, mapping |
his mothers arms. lie had been enjoyin
life with the Widow Martins little cir
next door, and so his dissipation kept hr
awake longer than usual.
81 have seen one cottage that think wi
please yOu," began my wife. "Ips about
mile from your store, and we have bee
living two miles away, you know"
"IIorse cars or bus TO it?"
"rhars the trouble. There are Meth,
cf these at present. You must walk"
Cant do it,"
"It'll do you good. Walking is healtl
full exercise. Lives of great men all r
mind us that they we've pedestrians" 81
urged.
Cant helpit. Pm not a great man. Il
sides l have corns ard"
"Cut emp speaking with quick deci
ion. "What are corns compared wi
health and happiness? Nothing-absolu
trines."
"And the shade trees and yard and nelgl