Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-08-19
How do You Carry your sticks!

htlEhuut iVih tuG olucI sue OF the OcuEc
for Mrs. Carey was standing 10 her little
garden, reading a letter that the postman
had just put into her hands.
"Oh it's our John" she replied. 81
was always againsthis going there but his
father is 30 positive, he wouldn't hear a
word that | said. Go he should, whatever
might happen"
And what has happoned2n asked old
Will Bright, the neighbor, leaning on his
spade, for he was digging.
"Oh, I'm afraid almost to speak the
name Of it," she said " It's that dreadful
listing"
Dear heart! !" said viii. "1'm sorry
Cor that; there's a deal of danger in SOL
diering | know but many gets of safe at
last, and we must hope the best for John. "
"Im not one Of them as talks about hop.
ing when see nothing before me but trouble,
Will Bright. | can't pretend to that sort
Of coDtentedness,' said Mrs Carey. 81
wish the father would come home, that we
might settle what to do"
"There's nothing much to be done, is
there2 | don't fancy Carey will sec bis
way to buying him off, or telling you to do
it. | think he will be for biding quiet a
bit and praying fof the poor lad, only send.
ing line to warn him Bit"
Sending line What good is there
in that | shall be frettiDg me to death
till | know about him-how he gets on
and her eyes filled with tears.
"Well, don't take on now" said Will
kindly. It's hard to part with them we
love, know full well but God knows
what is best for him and for you-rcmem.
Der that"
He was always such good boy to his
mother" sobbed Mrs Carey, not listening
to Wills attempt to console her
Your loss, maybe, will turn to be his
gain; let that comfort you, said Will
As she kept on sobbing, the kind old man,
feeling sorry for her, asked her how long
he had listed.
"'Lsted oh, he haven't listed, hope
and trust, yet" she exclaimed
Not listed then what's all your trouble
about7"
"Why, there's listing going on all about
him, and he's writ to his Aunt Jane to say
how nice the chaps look in their clothes,
and what pleasant time they've got of it,
Jane has sent the letter on to me, and I'm
sure enough what's in his head"
Dear heart SO he may list, and that's
all ? Well, you haven't left yourself much
to do when the trouble docs come" said
Will, laughing
I" | don't see what there is to laugh at"
exclaimed Mrs Carey. angriy; d" should
not laugh at any trouble you got into"
No; but I'd give you leave to laugh at
me if | had made a trouble and put myself
into it OF my own free will" he answered.
As be spoke Carey came home, and his
wife began to tell him her trouble. He
didn't speak, but, taking the letter from
her, read it to himself When he had fin
ished he folded it, and said "Well,
what's this ado about2 Are you crying
for the people whose lads have listed, or
because Jack hasn't done it ?"
Will Bright laughed and nodded, saying
" | as good as told her how you'd take it
before you came; but she would stick to
her trouble"
Mrs. Carey said men hadn't feelings like
women mothers hearts were bit softer
than stones
And fathers hearts are n bit harder
is that it2" said Carey, laughing.
His wife was not going to give way to
his view OF this matter. He might list
he was very likely to list and he had Been
brought up so quiet, be wasn't fit for sol.
diering life; he'd never take to fighting,
she was sure, being so peaceable it was
the clothes and the liberty he took to but
when he got into foreign parts, and had to
stand to be shot at. she knew what would
be--hed run away, and then they'd fog
him, or worse, and there'd be never friend
to help him, and he'd pine away and die
all by himself and she should never see
him again !"
Carey let her go on, as if quite used to
her folly.
Will asked him whether he meant to do
anything in the matter.
Yes; the boy was to have holiday
sometime, and shall bid him come home
I'LL We see how his mind is about this sol.
diering; don't think he is fit for a soldier
and word of advice may save him from
foolish STEP"
YOU'RE wise man, John Carey. You
carry your one stick at a time" said viii
TO himself as tho man followed his wife
into the house.
"By that rule, you mean that Mrs. Carey
is foolish woman, and carries more sticks
at time than she needs" said woman
who lived In cottage on the other side of
Wills, and who had come out on hearing
voices, to know what it was all about.
Will started at her voice he was not
very fond Of talking to her. He answered,
little shortly, " | never give my thoughts
about my neighbors to anyone but them
selves"
The woman laughed, and said "Weu.
I'm not afraid of your saying of me that | |
carry more sticks than needful."
Will.
"Oh, plenty don't see any good in
making troubles, not |. take things as
they come, and make the best Of them
isn't that the way2"
Will went on digging and loud cry
from the cottage made the woman 90 in.
She came out again dragging great boy
with her, whom she cufed several times,
and then pushed out at the gate, telling him
not 10 show his face for an hour or two.
Such children as they are for fighting!
she said Il can't turn my back minute. "
You should teach 'em better" said
VIII. not leaving of his work.
Long job that" she said laughing.
"Send the boy to school," said viii.
"He won't Co." she answered. 81 did
try to get him to 60 for bit, but he
wouldn't 80 he must take bis chance. His
father grumbles deal about him, aud says
he will come to bad end but | think It's
no good 10 see trouble SO far Off; | always
am Tor being quiet, and hoping the best
snt that the right way 2"
When we do our best, 1t is" said viii. ,
The woman was not pleased with his
words or his manner. She said, q little
sharply, II wonder at you, Will Bright, !.
seeming to make out that don't do nv |,
best You're not 10 way to praise folks
This morning; you put blame on Mrs. Ca.
reg for looking for trouble, and now you
sssm TO put 1t on me for not looking for it,
mo such thing" said Will, once more
resting on his spade. 81 am not going to I