Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-03-20

sure papa is better able to bay me this dress
than MIR. Messer is to dress Libbie rs he
does, for heard down town Yesterday that
he Is head and ears IN debt, and that the
only wonder Is how he keeps up at al with
such an extravagant family. One said he
gambled and made good deal OF his mon
ey in that way"
NOW, that you have mentioned it. | will
tell you, Jennie, have known this for some
time; and people say IL is Mrs. Mcsser's and
Libbie's extravaganza that brought him To
this. have heard your father say that he
has sold his interest in the coal bank to Gay
lord to satisfy his claims; so he gets nothing
more from that source. Also, that he had
been seen the worse for liquor within the
past week.
So you see Jennie, this love of dress and
display in one family Of our acquaintance,
is bringing the father down to the vortex of
ruin. His reputation is even now furnished,
for these reports are but too true. tremble
when think of the end that has such u be-
ginning. "What shall it profit man If he
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul,
or what shall man give in exchange for
his soulp"
Mamma, don't you think saw Jennie on
the street with young Lucas yesterday, and
they say he CANDLES. | have been told
no is getting 10 be very attentive, SO much
so, that Mr.. MesseI has forbidden him the
house, and given Libbie orders not to he
seen with him on the street. or in his com
pany,"
Four weeks passed, Mr.. Linton had bor-
rowcd the money to pay for the reaper The
careworn expression still renamed on his
countenance; more observable by wife and
daughter, than by amy one else. Both had
been thinking much, hut had said little in
regard To any extra expense. The
new silk dress was still ut Gaylord's, Jennie
had been thinking to some purpose. II
Libbie Messer's love OF dress had helped to
put her father in the downward road, she
would moi strive to dress like her any longer,
hut would try To help father, instead OF
adding 70 his embarrassment a teacher
was needed in the next district, and she
would go and get the school, il possible, be-
fore her parents knew of her intention. So
she went that afternoon to the directors,
who We're very willing To employ her.
They also told her it was the day for exam
natiOn of teachers. So she went; passed n
good examination. got her certificate and
went home, sending word to the directors
that school would commence next Monday
morning.
What was Mr.. Linton's surprise, when
Jennie handed him the certificate to read.
II had never once occurred to him. that
Jennie could do anything to assist him in
getting out of debt. He had only thought
Of her giving up some Of her extravagani
notions in regard to dress, as the only thing
possible for her to do. Jennie wished To
know what her parents thought of her teach
ing They both thought it would he good
thing for her; that she would learn better
how to govern herself; would learn the
worth of money after having earned it, and
therefore know better how to spend it.
Nothing more was said of the silk dress.
Knowing she had her reputation rs teach
er to earn, Jennie worked diligently both in
school and out for the advancement of her
pupils, and success crowned her effort The
praise of Miss Linton's school was on every
tongue.
Spring came. wheat brought good price
rs Mr.. Linton had predicted and his wheat
set him even with the world once more.
Jennie insisted her father should take part
of her salary, for she telt that his embarrass-
ment was partly due to her. This the father
did to satisfy Jennie; hut he put the money
to very different use from what she inten-
ded. lie had his life insured for Jennie's
benefit; this she learned sometime after
wards when she had come to think less oI
the outwa d adjoining Mr.. Linton had be-
come the same cheerful, jolly farmer as OF
old. Jennie and her mother had begun to
look upon life from another stand point
But all had gone wrong with the Messers.
Mr.. Messcr had taken advantage of the
bankrupt act" Libbie had absconded with
young Lucas, and Mrs. Messcr was almost
broken hearted.
Mr.. Linton used often to say, I've might
have been where the Messers are now, if the
good angel in wife and daughter had not
seen the danger, and came to the rescue"