The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1876-02-17

dnne them 10 remain neaF him, he said
lowed all the land about here, III
and II always seemed pity to me 10 se
families breskibg up and wanderlnl
away from each other; 70 Mother Aad
We talked IL al over, and agreed TO sres
al the Lord sent US precisely alike. AM
ss men mostly want good homes for .hei
wives aud children TO start out with
why, we thought we might help them
20 when sam wanted TO settle down, VI
gave him the land and money enough d
build comfortable house. Mother KEEP
an account OF IL, aud put 1t down II
what she calls the children's book an
three years after We did the same by ou
first girl, aud so on, ell but one hi
share is waiting for him, IL be wants il
II not, the Maker knows heat.
How many children in all, sirl
Five about here. sir, Que wandeIer
and three with God.
The maple leaves fiutlered short in
terlude, and once more the stranger
spoke.
Would you mind telling . strange
something Of your life? Peace and pros
perity are SO clearly yours, ! would lik,
to find your pathway.
There is not much 10 tell, cir, the ole
man said. was married to the best cir
10 the next town, and settled down her,
TO work. We made our way slowly bu
surely, adding to our house rs the Lore
added TO our floeks. II we have beer
more prosperous than some, lie al
Mothers doing; aud as TO peace she II
the best. kind of peacemaker. Nov and
then when the boys were small, and
things went contrary, why used to gel
a grain cross, and nervous-lke, for haC
a temper Of my own; but, bless you
Mother she'd just look at me, with those
sorrowful looking eyes, and il Away
made me feel mean aud hate myself. She
brought her children up so, sir, her pitt
ful looks, and her prayers, did more fol
them that sharp words or rod. As to
the money, the credit is hers for II ell
the little man earns don't amount to
mucs, but the little woman saves seems
to count up. What with her teaching the
boys to save school bills, patching and
making TO cheat the tailor, and turning
this and twisting that, she always made
things come out right. Why, sir, when
| was mourning because could not see
my way clear to send Will TO college
when | found he was set about going, she
told me not to worry, she and the girls
would manage il somehow-And they did
sir; they sold butter, eggs, milk, poultry,
and took summer boarders, working
early and late; and Will can hold up bis
head with any of your learned men now
he's got about all the practice be can at.
tend to, and is called the best doctor
about here. lie owes it all to bis moth.
er and sisters, sir. The children al
helped themselves, and that made things
easy. BY the time our youngest boy was
ready for school, | made something hand.
some by selling mill site to city com.
pany; and since then, one way and an
other, its been pretty plain sailing.
wasn't for letting them have It, but
Mother said yes, and have always beer
glad. Our town has grown wonderfully
since then, and these grandchildren o.
mine won't be obliged to run away tc
find work. I've always said men don'l
give wives half credit enough for their
work. II seems mean way OF lookin {
at things for man to expect wife tC
live on less money than one of those ser.
wants our city friends are bringing here
every summer-but there, there Is Mother
calling me to tea; she always taps on the
window that way for me. Walk righI
in, sir, and take a cup of tea and home
made bread; it's long way yet TO ths
tavern, and Mother never feels put out
with unexpected company.
The stranger hesitated moment, and
then accepted the invitation with thanks
Father Bray introduced him in his owl
fashion, saying: Here's = stranger
Mother, to take bite with us; | cam
justly call him by name.
Josephp, sir, said the stranger, with /
polite bow.
Yes, yes, Mr.. Josephs, Mother; tell
him we always have room for stranger
al our table.
Indeed we have, sir, you are heartily
welcome.
Hannah, said she, addressing her as
sistant, bring plate for the gentleman
and all Molher Bray's hospitality wal
reused when the stranger said il was
long lime since be had tasted home mad,
bread.
N NChN RAEhaAht AhtfS VS. R&Ahf "
three, aud very social one--ior th'
stranger asked many questions concern
ing the town, which host and hostss
were pleased TO answer. At last b
Asked; Who has charge Of the mill yol
were speaking OFF Gregory, said th
old man, one Of our town boys, and ih
chum Of our Joe; just his age, too.
Mother Bray put down the teaspoon
she lad been balancing on the top o
her cup, during the conversation, aud
sigh escaped her.
The stranger looked at her iDstAutl
and Father Bray FASTENED 10 say: There
mother dear, didn't mean TO name him
my tongue grows careless as my hand
grow clumsy.
Mother Bray rose at once, and the Oh
man lead bis guest back 10 the seats ~