Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-12-30
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Figures Won't Lie.

Mary ?"
The twcnty-fourth," answered the young
wife, sadly.
James Carroll knocked the ashes from his
cigar, held it carefully between the thumb
and forofnger Of his left hand and looked
thoughtfully into the fire. Mays tired fin
gers showed no signs Of WEAKNESS but
turned the hem Of a sheet mechanically,
then proceeded to haste it for sewing.
Belle will be three years old 2" he said,
interrogatively.
three James," replied Mary, without
the trace Of bright smile lighting up her
young face. James gave few more whiifs
at his nearly consumed cigar, but did not
seem TO enjoy it, listener would have
pronounced Mary a cold, unloving wife, that
the genial presence of her handsome hus-
band, on the return Of her baby's birthday,
failed to please
X okcrs ON aud listeners do not always
look into the depths Of the heart to see what
trials and struggles are there So in this
instance Another woman whose life is all
sunshine would have pronounced Mary Car
roll hoartess Poor thing She had too
much heart for this worlds trials. Her
wedding day was q bissful one; her hus-
band the ideal of manly perfection. His
love, unaccompanied by wealth. was more
10 her than all the treasures of the earth.
But q cloud arose TO dim the brightness of
her sky. She soon made the discovery that
lac was humln-that the love of wiuc and
possibly something stronger filled his heart
as well as the love of his wife. lie was not
what the world called an incorporate man.
one glass a day does not constitute a drunk
ard why should she fear?
At the end Of three years he took at least
Il. L l.. 1 Il. l..
for in the years to come ?
." wish, Mary, | was able to make Belle
a present every birthday in her life, but you
know it is all can do to get along as it is"
81 know it, James, meekly replied the
wife.
James was i'll at ease. Something in
Marys manner disturbed him
"What makes You so solemn and quiet,
Mary Why not sympathile with me, and
say You know | have hard time to get
along, aud that Belle can do without pres
cnts better than we can afford to make
them Fox gave me the wood bill this
morning, and Jones wants to know when
the grocery bill is to be paid don't like
TO bother with these things, only | want You
TO understand that as much as | love our
little girl ! cannot afford to make her
presents"
Marys color came and went. Tears stole
into her violet eyes and her heart beat quick
and fast. Her trembling fingers guided her
needle unsteadily. and her stitches were long
and irregular Three long years she had
brooded alone over her husbands weakness
without a reproof, and much as she dreaded
to speak she knew her time had come.
IL wish, dear James, | could economic
in something and save money 20 buy our
n 10
her birthday SO soon
u know nothing YOU could be more pru-
dent in, Mary, and you know | am as econo-
mical as possible, don't You ?"
1t was very hard for the lips that had ut
tered only words of praise, to say no but
strength not her own came to her aid, and
with smile the wife uttered her first
rcbuke.
No, james, am grieyed to say that
feel that in some things you are too extray-
agant. 1t must be sin Of ignorance, for
krow if YOU realized it You would never
wrong your wife aud child"
James started from his seat. His eyes
flashed and his checks paled.
Mary, are You crazy -
Not crazy James, but too clear-headcd
for our happiness"
After the shock had passed and he was
prepared to listen, she went on, and in
clear concise manner, laid before him the
cause Of her last bitter words
During the last year you have drank, at
least, two glasses OF liquor day haven't
YOU -
why, yes. | suppose SO. What of that
Only ten cents a glass-that cannot ruin
nm"
" Three hundred and sixtyfve days
which, multiplied by twenty cents, amounts
to seventy-three dollars. Three cigars a
day, which yon know is below your average
OF smoking, will amount to as much more
which makes one hundred and forty-six dol
lars Fifty dollars would pay our coal and
grocers bills now due, and leave a balance
of ninety-six dollars for baby, YOU and me-
You know, too that the time spent in drink
ing is worse than wasted, for tobacco and
liquor poison the system, destroy the health
soften the brains, weaken the nerves, and
bring ruin 10 thousands of happy homes
There is a lack Of tenderness for Belle and
me when your nerves are excited by drink
forgive you freely, but the sting is left in
my heart"
Marys feelings overcame her, and she fell
into passionate fit Of weeping.
The strong man trembled
Am | blind Is it possible | have
wronged my dearest treasures 2"
They mingled their tears, and talked till
"A late hour, laying out plans for the future,
and James begged forgiveness Of her he had
wronged,
at is not too late to prove my health and
strength said the penitent man, and so it
proved.
In one year from that day, two beautiful
silver cups were brought home by the happy
father, one for Bellies fourth birthday, the
other for the wife who had saved him.
Mary's bore the inscription: ." An angel saw
me falling, and lifted me up" Bellies was
also nicely engraved A little child shall
lead them"
Years have passed since then, and the
happy couple in the yigor of life, on each
returning birthday of Belle, who is now a
young lady of eighteen, relate to her the
little trial of their married life, and the
great happiness that has grown from self
denial and Justice.
The good wife and mother has kept the
silver bright, and not a meal has been eaten
at home but these cups were on the table,
where James could be reminded OF promises
he had made and so faithfully kept.