Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-05-26

The climax came when he shamblet
home from the field one evening to find
broad -shouldered stranger in the chimney
corner, and hear him introduced by The
smiling wife as her youngest son by hei
first husband, "done come ter visit u.s."
A step-son equal In years and superior
In strength, was more than the luckless
Hercules could endure. He betook him
self TO headquarters for redress, and re-
tired to the abode of his faithful friend
Bob to await the issue.
Mckay, the overseer, went TO demonstrate
with the deserted wife, whose good nature
abouuded.
Laws, Mass Kay, dat Hark done got no
sense. He tink he isn't gwine ter mind
me! OATS mighty funny What's he reck-
on 1 done TUX him outen all de pick o.
boys athout 1 lowed he'd mind easy Jes'
send him long, and I'll larn him."
"But he does not wish to come while you
keep your son here, and the Colonel thinks
you don't treat him right" said the puz-
zled overseer. "You ought to consider
him, you know he is your husband"
"Bress de Cunnel, dat boy haint been
muffin but 'sidered since TUX him Don't
he do a heap o. work he didn't usen, and
isn't I alters mashin' on him ter do as he
orterf Ef he wants ter git shut o. Sammy
he's mistook hisself, cause de hey must
stay with his pore ole nanny"
SAMMY" grinned at the retreating over
seer, and his loving mother resumed her
spinning. She was certainly industrious,
though to indolent Hark that virtue did not
outweigh her other faults.
Tho Colonel laughed unrestrainedly at
McKay's report, but all the same he made
1t his business TO gallop past the cabin and
draw rein, for few decided words.
Cant have my people quarrcling and
mlsbehaving. They must keep peace in
their families and be respectable or they
can't work for me. Make II up with your
husband, and give him his rights, if lie is
younger than you"
"Laws, Mass Cunnel, dars so. alters
does guv him them, and I'se gwine ter
now"
Accordingly that afternoon the consider
ate wife appeared at Bob's cabin TO seek
her truant spouse.
Now, you Hank, come long home.
'Tisn't no way spectacle, llvin' dis way,
and you isn't gwine disgrace de Cunnel no
more. lows ter treat yer like does my
Sammy-not no better, not no wuss. Yer
bof two must work aud mind me. Now
you Hark, shall you come, or is gwine
ter tote your"
Doubtless the strong armed bride could
have "toted" her husband as he did tho
cotton basket, but the prudent Hark did
not put her TO the test. He meekly follow
ed her home, and thereafter no complaints
reached the Colon els ears. His syrup was
no more cut off and his bacon had thick
ness unknown before his masters remon-
STRANGE, and SO far Tallahassee gave evil
dence that her views of mems rights had
broLdened. So on the whole il seemed that
Hark's fate might have been a worie warn
ing Than 1t proved, TO fortune hunters of
any race or color.
but laws y said waiting-maid Viney 10
her mistress, scornfully commenting on the
affair. "How could that Hark 'spect 10 be
tux up by body dat had years and 'spe-
rience and money laid by, and have her
done obey himf Ef he wanted ter he dc
driver he better TUX young gal, and pore.
FolkscAn't have eberyting ter onct, aud dey
mostly has ter put up wild some cross or
mother. Better take what dey git and be
stillr'
Which bit OF philosophy could not be
gainsayed by Miss Clare, though she smiled
at the queer illustration of it afforded by
Hark and his wifo.-GoIden Rule.