Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-05-15

her dress wasn't flounced like Mrs. Smiths,
or was nounced like Mrs. Browns; be-
cause Toms paper sent him North, when
he could see, If he were not utterly selfish,
that she needed a trip South because he
scrubbed until late at night, and because
he didn't scribble enough; because he did
mt make a fortune, and because he didn't
lavish more Oh her because she couldn't
go TO Washington, and because she did go
to Washington, but couldn't keep up with
the Cabinet ladies'. But in all her waiing,
IL never occurred to her to wall that she
was no fitting wife for the proud and sens
tive young man, who had made such
good fight for the position he could give
her. Neither did she lift up her voice and
weep because her disposition developed
his bile and made him desperate.
Misfortunes gloomed around Tom. His
paper changed hands, and instead of being
beckoned higher, he was put in a more
subordinate place. "Jovew muttered Tom.
"This to the end of the chapter?'
"You don't seem TO care what becomes of
your wife ~ whispered Ada
Then he fell sick, and some clever fellow
stepped into even this lower place. Tom
was put to one make-shilt and another.
Had n good berth half promised to him
here, and brilliant prospects opened TO him
there, but when he put out his hand they
weren't there. "Just my luck r. he fell
into the habit of saying. lie did !he mean
est literary work, except toadying. This
he was never driven to, even by Ada's vix-
enish fits. And they draggled from one
cheap boarding place to another.
Tom walked the streets toward sunset,
guant aud weak, yet watching to "meet
some thing" Tom was imaginative; had
often enjoyed other peoples blessings by
his very sympathy with the n. But sick
ness and Adas long attrition had bl inted
this beautiful faculty. So he didn't steal
much happiness, as he went past, out Of rich
mems houses. In fact he saw fine faces
which hurt him. 81 wonder" thought
Tom, "if some women couldn't have en-
dured what she has with me, without max
ing such a row about it7"
He paused on a bridge. The draw was
open. While waiting for it 10 be closed, he
watched the slow, fascinating current un-
der him. He began recalling all the sui
cides he had reported, and decided that Of
all the independents routes to the next world,
passage by water was the best. Friends
haven't the trouble Of funeral. II you
are fished out, they can't recognize you"
The draw was closed. People passed
over, but Tom fingered, watching the eve
ming star skate ac ross the water.
IL suppose, If scramble hard, can get
through lie in a makeshi1 fIshion; but
what's the use of making the effort? 1t
might as well end now as ten or twenty
years hence. I'm Il failure and fool. No
use being sentimental and saying I've had
draw backs. Most men have, but they
come out, while go under. Couldn't have
been put up right in tho first place. Here :
| your choice swing through the air, q
natural gasp or two, then may be better
chance at your next beginning, ifthe Lord';
fair; or long crawl ahead, broken back cd
snake fashion, aud likely as not missing
| Heaven at last. Ada'll be cOmforted. Shell
| go homo to her fathers and carry black
Dordered handkerchiefs for a year, anC
then she'll do the charming widow to somt
fellow, as she did the charming girl TO me
and he'll begin TO pay her bills and sc
ready for eternity"
Here dashed suddenly through his mem
ory a sarcastic paragraph he had once writ
ten concerning young man bent on self
destruction, who rushed to the brink Of
bluff, cast one long, last lcok below, anC
then-returned home.
"Jovev muttered Tom, "berore I'd max
up my mind and then 60 back on my word
I'd jump out Of selr-respect. Better no
be much longer thinking about it either
He was seated on the edge of the bridge
lie braced his hands firmly on each side q
him aud looked Up at the fair twill ght sky
at the city beginning to twinkle with lights
the smoke belching from tall chimney'
people running like ants in the distance
Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world so free7
no; there's a cross for every one,
Ind there's cross for me-"
Now there happened diversion whic
proves the ruling passion strong in dealt
Tom, quick with reporters instinct, as
his palmiest days, turned his head and sa
a street-preacher standing on cask nj
IlAHN lOuS away ~ ih6 W S"NAN' SaA'S
and wharfmen by his voice. 1t was a thrill
ing voice. There was ring of joy an
power in it. AS general thing Tom ba
never taken stock in street preachers. II
had beard them rant too often in the Graz
| reform style. But this man drew his ey,
and ears, while the river still held h
thoughts and intentions. lie see sawed
! that voice sang II triumpantly.
THAT consecrated cross III bear,
Till death shall set me free;
2 And then 60 home my crown to wear
For there's a crown for met"
| Now squad collected. Tom saw
e must draw attention and thwart his own d
t signs by taking a plunge just then, so
1 postponed it, edged nearer the preachC
. and instinctively felt for his note book.
9 Thls preacher had a bright, falcon-lil
n face. If you ever SEQ him you will 10
d him, for he is rushing about the world III
| moment, spreading his arms to all ma
1 kind aud telling them things which soul
d like joy instead of musty doctrine.
e will make you cry with enthusiasm oy
: being born.
a "Now, men," he said, reaching his arr
v over them, 81 want TO give you the wo
,. Jesus Christ left for you. He says, Eve
/. one of you come TO me. l made you, Al
l. you are Of great account to me-. That IN
oven there in the fur cap, the one in the gr
k blouse, and every fellow of you. lie
,r loved you that he died to give you char
l. at your best. Why, he loves you more tn
IS wives, children or mothers do, though
N sees right through you sees how cowa
II ly and ungenerous you are. How y
Is turn against him because he calls you {
N of a mixed world, instead OF taking you
Is bodily and setting you in heaven. Thou
N he sees how someof you shunt Off and thi