Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-11-12

uue' Ior iie puts IN no qualifying some
times"
The old man sat very still, with sober
Unlocking expression on his face.
"He knew best, Andrew; but very few of
us live as If we thought lie did"
81 The farmers sleep was not so sound that
night as usual; thought was too busy. Not
that he was troubled. for the pleasure that
came with minIstering to his stricken neigh
Dor had gono too deep. and filled his neart
too largely 70 leave room for trouble. lie
was thinking out OF himself--a raro expert
ence for Fnrmer Brill; thinking of some of
his neighbors. and how he might serve them
at little cost to his boarded substance. It
was too early in the new state, upon which
he had really entered. TO count much cost
against himself.
The farmer rose on tho next morning feel.
ing like new man. The rest and comfort
Of mind which had comesas the reward of
kindness 10 John Gardner still remained.
Goodwill TO others is ready satisfaction with
n simple service. IL was so IN this case.
The family of his sick and helpless neighbor
had other needs than that OF food. lie had
seen the halEclad children. and the wife's
worn and scanty clothing, and tho picture
remained with him.
Cant you send Mrs Gardner an old dress
or two P'' said Mr. Brill to his wife rs they
sat at the breakfast table. "She needs them
badly. lfyou'll make up bundle of things
for her and the children. Ill hitch up and
take them over. You'll know what they
want"
Mrs Brill was not the woman to say mo"
to suggestion like this. She soon had
bundle Of clothes ready for her husband, and
of he went again on an GRAND Of mercy,
with glee and warmth In his bosom that
sent feeling Of delight along every nerve.
How cordial were all the greetings he gave
10 passing neighborsl lie forgot old grud-
ges and coldnesses, and drew up his horse
more than once TO have chat with the indl-
viduals whom he had passed the day before
with only an Indifferent nod.
He sat for over an hour with John Gard
ner, talking Of old times--both had grown
up in the northumberland learned many
things he might have learned before that in
terested him deeply about the life of the poor
|
"Dont get down. hearted" were his part
ing words, ut the close of his visit. "Well
see that you're taken care Of until the doctor
drives out your old malady."
The grateful looks and tones in which the
man expressed his thankfuness lived with
the farmer rs pleasant memories long after
ward.
"Thomas." said Mr. Brill to his hired man,
on returning home, take tho bushel basket
out into the orchard and fill it with the larg-
est and soundest apples that have fallen from
the trees"
"Yes, sir. And what shall l do with
them ?"
Bring them hero and ri tell you"
"Here they are sir" said the hired man
ten minutes afterward.
VERY well. Now carry them down to
Widow Sloan, and give her my compliments,
and say TO her that II she wishes to pare and
dry lot for winter she can have all she
wants"
Thomas opened his eyes little wider than
usual, and with "Thank'ee, sir" as If he
wero the one who had received favor,
swung the basket to his shoulder, and went
off with springy step, in marked contrast
with his ordinarily slow heavy movement
The unexpected promptness and cheerful
ness with which his hired man seconded thi.
thoughtful kindness toward the widow was
another element of satisfaction. Thomas
was apt to be little cross at times and es.
pecially when called upon to do some unusual
service: and Mr. Brill had looked for Il
cloudy face and n sulen manner when be
gave his order. He gazed after the man n:
he went hurying away, wondering at his
changed domeanor. He was still sitting in
|, tho porch when Tho mas returned.
swell, Thomas, and what did Mrs Sloan
sayP"
"Oh sir. I can't tell you how surprised and
happy she was; and sho told me to thank
you n thousand times"
: "Will she pare and dry them for winterP
"Indeed and she will sir. She sat righ
down and went TO work while / was there,
and says she'll have 'cm all out on the shed
drying tomorrow morning. 1t was real
kind and thoughtful in you, sir. It's sucf
n pity to have things 60 to waste. when SC
many would be glad to get them
Master and man were buster than usua
in the summer and autumn days that fol
lowed, not alone in gathering and storing
of their abundance, but in gathering anC
dispensing rs well. Nothing was permitted
rs IN other years to go to waste. The bush
els and bushels OF apples which had onc'
rotted under the trees; the over supply o
turnips and other root crops, which had lain
unused in cellar or storo-house. were al
distributed to the poor; and there was plent.
through the winter In many humble home
where in former seasons pinching need had
been felt
There was heartiness about him neve
seen before. His old grudges against som,
of his neiglbors died out. lie would stoI
men in the road for n pleasant chat whom
for years he had passed with n distant nod
The farmer had found q new pleasure, tn,
: Joy Of which was pervading his whole being
and its sunshine warming and soltening tn
cold, hard exterior of his life, and making
, attractive and beautiful.
l And he never lost the glow of his pleas
ure in all the years that were added to hi
life; and when at last his work was done
and he lay in that deep sleep that has n,
waking in time, there were hundreds Il
bless his name, and to look their last lool
> on his peac eful face with eyes that ran owe
with tears.
i Llzzy and Her Slate.