Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-01-08
BILLY'S WIFE.
Two smart Women and Two Foolish
Wen.


Two smart Women and Two Foolish
Wen.
As TOLD DY ONE OF THE WOMEN.
Don't know Billy? Then allow me to
introduce TO yOu''an Irishmau by trade, and
mechanic by the grace Of God = a perfect
pet among the girls, an handsome as The
day is long, and as good as he is hs hsndsome.
That is Billy, or rather WdS Billy when
first knew him. He was the youngest Of
the squad of carpenters that worked on
our new building, and altoge ther the most
active and efficient of the party. They
sent him 10 all the exposed positions, and
he risked his life gayly every day. "There
Is special Providence for fools and chill
dren," said he, and claim protection un-
der the first clause of that law"
was watching him, one day, at work
on top Of the house, when his foot slipped,
and he started head foremost for terra
fr10d. When within ten feet of the bottom
he touched some scafIolding with his hand,
"swapped ends" and lighted on his feet,
like the tumbler In a circus, made me an
elaborate sdlddm and climbed up again TO
his eyrie full forty feet above my head.
Billy had not worked long for us when
1t became apparent there was something
on his mind. The jollest Of fellows among
the men, he yet strove TO get away from
them in his leisure hours, aud passed the
greater part of Sunday out In the meadows,
or under the trees. Even in the house he
was addicted TO reverie, AMI his absent
minded replies to remarks made TO him
gave rise 10 many a laugh. The query
went round, whats the matter with Bill
| lY?" but found no solution until guessed
it.
He was in love. The neighboring girls,
laughing-eyed, dimple-cheeked rustic
beauties who came TO visit me, could
make no impression on his faithful heart
Being myself motherly individual of
that type which Byron describes as "fair,
fat, and forty" Billy took 10 me as natu ral-
ly as ducks 10 water, and before long he
old Inc all about it.
"The pretliest girl in all the world, Mrs.
Bro oSn," he said "but that would be moth
ing If it wasn't for her goodness. To be
sure she is two years older than /, but why
should ! care? She is so truthful and in
nocent, you can look clear down through
her blue eyes into her very soul. She is a
big girl she weighs a hundred and fifty
pounds / judged it 10 be nearer one
hundred and eighty. "But then you are
big, you know, aud the boss certainly
made ten-strike when he got you. / like
big girls myself. II they are sweet ant
good, you can't have too much Of 'em.
am like Chinaman buying boots 1 wan
the biggest can get for the money. Ther
Alice is smart, tell you; in fact, she II
too smart TO be tied 10 such numskull q
] am, and | can't tell what she sees in mi
TO love; but there is no accounting TO
taste. She does love me, anyhow, in spit
of my ignorance and awkwardness. Go,
bless her And ! am wholly grateful l.
her for it. Yes, I am, The thoughts of
: bring tears TO my eyes oflen, though yoI
. wouldn't take me for such a granny.
And away he went singing in a rich
: clear voice, ppm lonely tonight, love
without you" and passed iu out of th
moonlight TO put Little Pickle 10 bed think
ing all the time of Billy, and hoping hi
girl would be as good and true as he be
lieyed. But somehow. without any partlC
ular reason, felt sorry for him. have
sort Of cd fashioned pity for men, any