Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-25
FIVE MINUTES WORK.
BY MRS FRANCES D. GAGE.


stitches into my coat; it's getting so shabby"
"1t's 90 Frank; but really | think you
had better take it to the tailor"
Take it to tailor BY George but
that's a huge idea. Why. there's not Eve
minutes work to be done, and the tailor
would charge dollar"
81 suppose he would, but don't see how
can do it to-day. Walter is very fretful,
and you know he kept me awake nearly all
night" D Nti''h hf"
Little imp! 1t docs not seem to me
there ever. was so cross young one,
Always some excuse Well, you mus,
mend my coat, anyhow"
II will try and End time"
TRY! just let him squall twill do him
good-strengthen his lungs"
Then, you know, it is ironing day."
"Well, how many more excuses 7 III put
it on, rips and all, if you are going to make
. fuss"
"Oh, no, Frank, didn't mean to make
fuss but it's long job, and one l am not
used to and with my dinner to get. and
baby, and ironing do not see yet, how l
can get it done. But LII do my best"
Such was the conversation that passed
between young husband and q wife Of
eighteen months standing.
Frank Burton was what the world calls q
real driver. He made anything that went
through his hands insure to his own benefit
Everybody liked him because he was SO
frank, and withal so honest and upright 10
all his dealings with his customers. He was
we'll educated for business man; lived in
society had made up his mind that he could
support a wife, and, according to his reckon.
ing, save something to boot. Yes, to be
sure he could. There we're six dollars week
for board, and one dollar week for wash
ing and then quarters aud dimes innumerable
for taking his lady acquaintances to ride, to
the theatre, to ice cream saloons, balls,
operas, etc. ...- .......
"By Georgep he exclaimed, as he cast
up his yearly account "that's huge enough
to break fellow a thousand year; it
won't do; I'll marry and settle down !"
So he applied to Lizzie Forsyth to be his
wife aud he was soon in possession of her.
A snug house was rented, and the work
Of supporting a wife began in earnest. The
i've rooms cost two hundred dollars a year,
and were prettily furnished. Lizzie pre-.
ferred to do all her work. Sometimes by
her needle she earned dollar extra. Then,
as it was little lonesome for Frank, he
brought home several clerks for day board
ers, at four dollars week. Still, with all
this, he would tell his acqaintances how
much less it cost him to live now he sup
ported wife. He never seemed for a mo-
ment to realize that she it was who was saw
ing all these expenses, and that If he had
not earned dollar, her busy hands would
have paid the rent and kept him from starry
ing.
So the matter stood when he asked his
wife to mend is coat. Lizzie drew a deep
sigh after be was gone, and hurried her
dishes away as soon as possible.
The coat was Of broadcloth and was his
wedding garment; but it was well nigh
wearing out, broken under the arms, the
cord aud lining in rags, the sleeve Innings
broken loose, buttons worn of; 10 fine there
was nearly days work. She sat down to
the coat with hearty good will, determined
to do her best. Her needle few fast, but
every moment it had to be laid down to see
to dinner or hush the baby. The hours wore
away, aud though she did all she possibly
could, the job was still undone at shutdown
Walter cried necessarily. He looked
pale, and bis eyes we're dim. She then re
membersd Franks words, ''let him squall,
and let him cry half an hour or more. Oh,
how it worried her to hear her darling cry
for its mother. Tears swan in her eyes as
she thought Of her hard days work aud th'
want of appreciation of her labor. She knew
she was making his coat look almost as vel
as new. But he would never think of the tot
she had upon il. "Aud what If he don't,
she mentally said II shall in my own spirit
know all have done aud that is enough"
But Llzzie was strong hearted as we'll a
loving and dutIful. So she shook off he
discomfort and became as cheerful as posi-
bic. Then she worried through supper got
ting, and with much managing had all thing
done by the time Frank came in with BIZ
companions.
"My coat done, Lizzie ?"
"No, not quite"
"There's woman for ye, boys One hal
of them would let husband 60 out OF tn
elbows week before they would turn asid'
from any plan of their own All the ironing
completed, I'll be bound, Lizzie"
Lizzie was taking her biscuit out of tn
oven, and the young man did not see th'
deep flush of pain that flashed over he
weary features.
"Wil you bring in a pitcher of water
please 2" she said pleasantly.
"There it is again; when | was q bacl
had nothing to do but hand my coat owe
to the tailor, pay him dollar, aud FWa