Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-05-13
The New Furs ;

The New FurS
Or, THE GOLDEN RULE ExEMrIuIED.
A comfortable sit,ing-room large
old.hshioncd open fire before it o round
table on which stood generous pitcher Of
cider, a plate Of rosy.cheeked apples, and
basket Of nuts Two persons were seated
within the ruddy glow Of the frelights; one
hale, hearty man Of sixty--kindly, Wig.
orous sixty aud the other dame, ten
years younger. Time had touched her
lightly her bright blue eyes shoue as
clearly as they did twenty years before, and,
though her round checks were slightly
wrinked, pretty color fingered on them
yet and her smiling lips gave good war.
rant of a loving heart.
Got all your clothes ready for your
trip, mother ?" questioned Mr. Flowers, in
tone of interest"
Why no, father" replied she Ave
just begun to think about making them"
The pair were childless, but years ago a
little darling had been theirs and the fond
habit Of styling each other " father and
4" mother" which they had acquired during
its short life, had never been stopped
Mean to make a pretty good show
don't you ?" pursued Mr.. Flowers, peeling
an apple and handing it to his spouse.
ayes, | do" returned she, decidedly.
Laura shan't feel ashamed Of her country
aunt if can help it and fine clothes count
everywhere. I'm going to write tomorrow,
to see if | can't get that dressmaker from
Masonvile. They say she always has city
patterns, so guess she can make me look
as near like city folks as any one can. But
it will take deal of money, father" And
shade passed over her face as she turned
it toward him. You say You want me to
90 and have a good time. 1t won't be a
good time if don't have the things | want,
and they'll take deal Of money"
The farmer was just in the act of raising
mug of cider to his lips. He put it down
untasted and, gravely surveying his wife,
asked earnestly;
DO | ever begrudge you anything
Mary"
" Law no, bless you dear !" said she
heartily. (" That wasn't my meaning at all
There isn't man in the country SO ready
to give to his wife as you. l was thinking
it might seem kind of wasteful"
"Pooh pooh =! said he. Why
shouldn't you have your pleasure Spend
all you want, and more too--there's nc
waste about it, We've neither chick nor
child to save suppressing a sigh
our niece was brought up with full and
plenty at her fathers house, and now she's
married a rich man so there's no need to
crae for her. And why shouldn't you en-
JOY yourself? | want my good wife tc
turn out as well as the best of EN-"
Well, father" she returned, yielding
the point with the air Of one quite willing
to be convinced, lift is your will and wish
and my will and wish, don't see but wha
you're right in what you say about my hav
ing my pleasure along with other folks.
And she quaffed her cider with satisfaction
and content.
Her husband regarded her with a twink,
in his eye. "Now confess, Mary, from {
girl you have had fondness for fine clothes
haven't your You didn't often give way t,
it, but there it is"
She blushed little-albeit her fifty win
ters--and moved uneasily on her chair
He laughed and continued
There's handsome furs, now, for on
thing. You've been hankering for a rea
out.and-out set for years"
She started. why father, how in thu
wide world did you ever guess that?' An,
she stared at him in open-eyed wonder.
lie chuckled. 81 was in the next room
the other day when you and your old crony
Nancy Jones, were talking about the fur
her cousin from town had on. 1t beats me
lin tone of contempt) " how Nancy doe
90 on about that woman. There amt
thing about her but her clothes, aud to hea
Nancy talk, you would think nobody coulc
come nigh her. | heard what my littl
woman said, plain enough I've wishe
for such a set all my days, but | expect t
take it out in wishing There's the exac
words for you, aud they were said in
dreadful longing way, too"-gazing at hi
wife with laughing eyes.
She fdgeted and looked away. I" 1t wa
foolish speech, Reuben. OF course
never really thought of having such thing,
People often wish for things, you know, tina
they never expect to have"
"And why shouldn't you have tbem7" h
asked cody.
Law, father have emf Why, di
} you know what Nancy said such furs cost 2
"Yes," replied he, beginning on plat
, of nuts " she said they cost four hundre
: dollars"
We'll !" said she impatiently, " that sci
ties it, | should think"
} Mr.. Flowers put his nuts back on the ia
! bic, poured out mug of cider for his viii
and another for himself, watched her calml
while she drank hers, which she did rathe
, reluctantly, and then, after taking his ow
with an air Of thorough enjoyment, slowl
} produced from the depths Of his pocket
D mysterious roll.
3 When | went to Masonyille to-day, sal
: he, " drew this out of the bank for an ei
! pecial purpose" and forthwith he counte
! on her knee four hundred dollars in crisl
new notes then slapping her on the shou
der, and bestowing an aifectonate kiss o.
her cheek, he added; There, Mrs. Flower
that's for your furs, every cent of it. won
/ have wifecraving thing, and going witt
, out il, il can get it for her."
The recipient Of these marks Of Low
gasped for breath, partly from the shocl
} partly from the slap, looked at the dono
then at the notes, pressed them with still
) out-stretched fingers, and then suddenl
: throwing au arm around the farmers necl
, buried her head in his beard and neckcloi
/ and sobbed out
"Oh, Reuben you're too good to me-
you are you are J"