Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-10-16
=" AS BY FIRE."
BY MRS. EMMA +. CASE.


For long time had been getting more
and more dissatisfied with my surroundings
with my very life. | was making up my
picture with shadows and clouds and storms !;
l was leaving out the light, and meanwhile
scanning it intently to see where | could
make the shadows deeper-the clouds heav-
Ter.
Shall | tell you how it was? For three
years | had been the wifO of one possessing
more than ordinary intellect-crowned with
all the elements of true and noble manhood.
A little more than three years before had
left school, bidding n half-merry, half.sad
adieu to the old seminary walls and the old
schoolmates. 1 had never known aught of
care save that of tedious lessons, rs | some
times termed them, and now these were
over and my education finished; finished
thought then-in after years | knew had
but just begun the ascent of the hill. But
life was new and bright, very bright, and
did not care to stop and moralize. The very
air seemed full of sweetest music; all had
been harmonious thus far, and | did not
wish to think there might be discordant
notes. | knew there was sorrow IN the
world, but it had never touched my heart
l thought of it as n grim specter very far re-
moved from me- And thus | entered upor
the duties of my life; thus took upon my
self the solemn VOWS of n wife.
Fred Warren had short time previously
completed his studies ut one of our mos
renowned medical colleges, and entered up
on the practice of his profession. Not by
means lavished upon him by rich parents had
he acquired his education, but by dint of bis
own earnest endeavors; and felt proud L
say that married self-made man. knew
that he had not wealth, but what did it mat
ter? A humble home would seem like pal
ace with his society, and did not care fo
money-thus assured myself, but | had no
studied then in the school of experience;
did not know | was some day 60 be wor
shipper at Mammon's shrine.
Time passed on-we were happy. Oul
home had no pretensions to wealth, but j
was coy and comfortable. We were will
ing to begin mt the foot of the ladder and e
up securely, one round ut time, rather thar
bound to the top only to fall to the ground
Painting had been my forte at school, ant
our rooms were decorated with my owl
work: besides, gave instructions to few
pupils, thus turning the knowledge had o
the art to good account. My husband wa
fast gaining the esteem of the community
and the future looked bright and full OF sun
shine rs we in imagination turned its leaves
But this was not to last. There was dc
mon lurking near. One day Fred cam
home and greeted me with, May, hav
good news to tell you; something that wi
surprise you very much, | know. 1t seem
that your old friend Kate Matthews Is to b
near you again. learned this morning tina
her husband had purchased the land jus
across tho way, and is to commence buildin
ut once.n
"Oh, can it be possible?" | replied. 81
seems too good to be true; / am so delight
ed"
Kate had been ono of my most intimat
school friends, and the thought of havin
her society again could hardly realize.
seemed so singular, too, that it should haI
pen thus-quite out of the general order I
things.
OGhe husband knew but little, save thu
he was several years her senior. and vel
wealthy. She seldom spoke of him in hi
letters, and those had not been frequent sine
her marriage.
As time wore on the grounds were lai
out and the mansion was going up, gran
mansion, far superior TO anything heretofol
in our quiet town.
Then, for the first time envy entered m
heart-entered to go no more out for lon
long weary months to come. At first on
endured its advances, but rs it came neare
embraced it, aye, even cherished it, M
thus lnconsciously added fuel to the flam
already at white heat.
At length the house was finished, furnishC
in sumptuous manner, and the inmates i
stalled in their new home.
Kate had written me, congratulating he
self on the coincidence that would bring
together again, the coincidence that darko
ed my life and held up before me my so
clad in its real colors, showing me all
deformity.
| did not wait for ceremony, but CALF
Immediately. | was greeted with the san
cordially as in tho days of yore when we m
TO resume the duties Of school after our v
cations, and l truly enjoyed the first fe
moments Of our reunion. But the demo
was not to be put of thus, glanced aroun
Everything bore unmistakable evidence
great wealth. | returned TO my hon
What could have happenedp had il change,