Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-01-23

house to shelter his family aud barns for
his stock.
II is said that misiortuues never come
singly 1t was certainly 50 in this case.
A long lingering sickness fell upon one of
the children, and at last she died. This was
soon followed by the sickness Of another.
After long months Of suffering the same re.
suit followed. The brave beautiful boy had
followed the FIRST girl, and both had been
lain away nte the house of darkness. This
was great sorrow as well as great ex-
pense to them, but Wallace bowed humbly !
TO the stroke and still chung with mistaken
faith to hisreliance on the goodness Of Di. |
vine Providence But disaster soon followed
him. For two Or three years his crops failed
Then two men bought his years stock of prod.
uce aud failed, and he lost the whole amount.
So the years slipped away, and when Wal
lace was 6fty-6ve years Of age he found him.
self in possession Of farm worth twelve or
fifteen hundred dollars ON which his brother
held a mortgage for five hundred dollars.
Just at this time his brother died. When
the estate was settled the mortgage on the
farm fell into the hands of his son Donald.
Donald MeGrcgor was even more penuri.
Gus than his father lie had entered into
mercantile business, in the village, and
had become what is termed we'll off, He
had good business talents aud was accounted
strictly honorable, always fulfilling all his
engagements, aud being honest in deal even
to the last farthing.
When the mortgage was allotted to him
he became possessed OF strong desire to get
possession OF the farm. For several weeks
he could not bring himself to foreclose on the
mortgage. But being urged to it BY some
of his wife's relatives on the plea that Wal
lace would never be able to pay for the farm,
he at last resolved to do so. He, therefore,
forcclosed on the mortgage, and the farm was
advertised for sale at auction.
1t fell like thunderbolt on Wallace Nc
Gregor and his wife. With Wallace the
blow was only momentary. HIS strong faith
in the wisdom Of Providence, that overrules
all the affairs of men, sustained him. After
the first surprise was over he said
Mary, Trust in the Lord and not be
afraid Hehas promised to be our shepherd
and we shall not want"
But Wallaces wife had no such firm re.
lance as her husband. She was greatly dis.
heartened by this last misfortune. She had
struggled so long against disaster after dis.
aster that at last her courage gave way. She
yielded to repining and distrust Of her heav.
emily Fathers justice and mercy.
Wallace believed the farm would sell for
enough to pay the mortgage, and leave near
ly thousand dollars beside. But the day
set for the auction proved wild and stormy.
1t was the worst of the season. But few
came to the sale. The result was that Don
aid himself bid off the farm for five hundred
dollars, just the amount Of the mortgage.
Donald was not inclined to take possession
of the farm Immediately. But his wife;
relatives were elated with his success and
urged him to it, and he at last consented
So some two weeks after the sale he drov'
up to Wallaces door. Wallace came out tC
meet him.
y GOOD morning, Wallace"
Good morning Donald" replied Wal
lace.
There was a great difference in the toni
tore and manner Of the two men. Donald
spoke in constrained and unnatural voice
Y Wallaces voice was as calm and cordial a
s. if they were on the best OF terms.
i. Il called this morning Wallace, to saI
ID that would like to take possession of tn
t. farm in month. | supposed you woul'
n like to know it, SO you could be looking 70
is another place"
g Donald, replied Wallace, laying hau
lc on his arm and looking him calmly in tn
face, " Donald do you think you have deal
~ with me in this matter in the fear OF tn
n. Lord Do you think you are doing the RICH
v, thing with one OF your kith and kin ~
IT. ." 1t is all according to law, Wallace, M
ly we must abide by the law, The law is jus
h. as fair for one as it is for another
II. Z" All, Donald there is another and highc
us law that was enacted long before our civ
IN. laws we're. 1t is Thou shalt love tn
neighbor as thysclf' And then, again it
lis repeated in even palmer words, What's
tie ever yc would that men should DO to You, d
nd ye even so to them
d. q" That is all very good to talk and preaC
III. about, Wallace. But nobody does busine
ed on such principles. All have to say
nd that must have possession Of the farm
ew one month from to-day"
ng, Donald McGrogor, | shall not was
m, words with you" replied Wallace. " But
lp, will tell you, as it is written in the gre
Book, The Lord judge between me al
,nt thee, and the Lord avenge me Of thee Al
he marx my words, Donald, shall live to 3
lily il with my own eyes
ies This was said not in lone OF exciteme
lad and anger. There was no shadow of u
Id. kindness or resentment in it, But it W
uttered in a tone SO impressive that i sal
to deep into Donalds heart When he turn
III. and rode away he found it impossible to f
on get the words, " The Lord judge between !
one and thee" Strive as he would to cOnviu
rm himself that it was all according to law, a
by therefore right aud just, still the convict
that it was not so would thrust itself up
ep. him. The Lord Judge between me a