Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-08-18
The Superannuate.

lnHlue iNt iuN tNlluHff iNt prospect Was
scarcely more cheerful The small windows
were so encrustcd in frost that it was i'm.
possible to see out. rhat-in the present
aspect of things--was perhaps not depriva-
tion. Still. the light inside was lesscued by
it, and on this somhre morning seemed more
like the shadowy twilight, when the sun has
altogether departed, than like day.
There were four rooms in the cottage, only
one Of which was habitable in winter This
had a southern exposure, and when the sun
shone, was not uncomfortable. There was
thick, coarse listing tackled 10 the door edges
and around the otherwise loose window
sashes. and there were braided mats before
the bed and stove, and crowded close 10 the
creyices under the doors. These looked
ancient enough and worn enough TO have
come over in the Nagforer, after having
served long line of English ancestry.
Close by the stove sat a man, whose age
might have been fifty years, though he looked
much older. lie had thin, STOPPING figure,
that in its prime might have been erect, and
large. dark eyes, that restlessly followed the
motions of his wife, who often left her work
10 speak cheerfully to him. A large shawl
was wrapped around his shoulders, and
fragment of an old bed-quilt was hung over
the high back Of his chair 10 protect him
from the draught Of cold air. lie was
coughing aud shiveriug as he bent over the
stove in the vain effort to get comfortably
warm.
"You should have followed my advice,
aud remained IN bed till the room was warm,
said his wife "You did not cough so badly
until You dressed In the cold"
yes, know. But 10 is too late 10 re-
pent: the mischief is done"
Never mind. We will hurry the FIRE
and get some hot drink. 1t will soon bee
more comfortable
Her husband watched her with wistful
ewes, not at all deceived by her smiles aud
cheerful words. though unconscousy derv-
ing courage from her effort to make the best
OF things.
MARY" he said presently, do not try 20
work till the room is warmer. Come and
sit by the fire"
"ln a moment, dear the bed is nearly
made"
Your rheumatism viii be worse"
Exercise is good for rheumatism, Nor
man; besides, am really warmer while
stirring. II YOU could exercise, without
coughing Just enough to warm your blood,
YOU would not suffer SO much from cold"
MARY" he said, looking up with half
smile ON his face, do you think this cold
air good for rheumatism have heard or
read OF some woman Who enjoyed poor
health. but did not know she was my wife.
Confess now that a good coal hre IKE those
We used 10 SIT by IN winter, would be an I'M
proyement on this; will you ?"
" Yes, I confess"
And will you also tell me what is the
matter with this fire 1t burns but it does
not send out much heat"
The wood Is not OF the best IL was
cheap and 80 ! bought H. part OF IL Is
heavy and water-seaked, but the rest was so
dry and light that ! thought they would
manage TO burn together. oi course II does
not send ont heat IKE good sound walnut,
was poor economy 70 my w. Nary
Yes II would nave oeeh II eoulu nave
paid Tor better. II was iunsohs ; cio'oe-
this or none
Ihe man sad nothing out 'iShsd 1eeply'
lie was Wholly dlSeoutaSed' t9r 'I,e mo.
ment he almost lost iaith IN Tod 10 not
blame him, yon who sit IN conlortapie
rooms, surrounded wlth thoughtlHl iIiehds'
and with every need OF lie abundantly sup
piled. DO not expect INN TO be 50 lhuch
ike the holy martyrs as to rise superior to
his situation Perhaps he would walk cheer,
fully to the stake, IN hope OF speedy eternal
life and blessedness. Perhaps hey would
have broken down, II doomed to a slow de-
cline of health and strength, without the
necessary comforts of existence, and with
scarcely a breath Of human sympathy
This man, in his prime, had been popu-
lar and successful Methodist preacher. lie
had been hard-working pastor, as well.
There were hundreds Of believing saints still
living in the different places where he had
labored, who had been brought from darkness
TO light through his faithful ministry. 1t
was because he had been in labors too
abundant, that his strength had departed
and left him living wreck--a shadow of
what he had been. For more than score
of years-the best Of his life-he had given
himself, aud all he had 10 the service of the
church. No pain or WEAKNESS had been
suffered TO hinder his work until he was
wholly prostrated. Then, with only the
grave in prospect, he was obliged 10 do bat
tie with poverty.
His wife, too, had spent her powers in the
same work. Not, indeed, in preaching, but
in'all positive cares and labors at home and
abroad. In her less conspicuous way, she
had, perhaps done as much as the minister
! himself. And now she, too, was an invalid
for life. Two old people--one helpless, the
other nearly so. Can you realize, welLfed,
welLclothed, well-warmed, well-housed Chris
tian, how hard this was to bear
But harder sun was the knowledge tilat
they were both gradually fading from the
memories OF those VINO had been associated
with them IN their la1ors; ana the pellei
that they had become burden 10 the chufeh
so dearly loved. ms pellei might De, 70
some extent mistaken one because ~ Is
not the church at large whieh Is respohslnie
Tor the meagre support Oh us disabled ne'c-
rams ihere Is no money laiseu 50 easiiy a.
that APPROPRIATED 10 'helr use, l, Is BECAUSE
their claims are mauc seovhuary 70 .lio'e oi
the "heatheh ,hiheS' Una. 50 n'.io Ply
vision Is maze lor !neln anu ~ nay stn uu
tlat larger anu sle'u,e, Is Cta hain,J
foreign missionary enorl - nnItss s~ VI hon,a
oid soiuiers We're P,oP9ri oaton io' ~ M noe Co.