Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-24

the frst time IN her pretty life, feeling the
want ofa dollar.
Mrs. Clearance Fiiz Gerald was the next
person announced-a lady Of the utmost
style, whose acquaintance Mrs Wharton Just
succeeded in making.
"You start at my being out in this storm,
my dear, but am raising dollar subscrip-
ton for poor musician who has just broken
his arm. or course may depend on you"
"Mrs. Wharton colored. III will send il
around in the morning"
THAT won't do" said Mrs. Fitz Gerald,
Struggling her shoulders; am determined
TO settle the business to-day"
III am very sorry" said our mortified her.
oine, "but have not single dollar In the
house."
Mrs. FitE Gerald bowed coldly evidently
she did not believe the proteslation, and Mrs.
Wharton saw her enter her coupe and drive
away with the comfortable consciousness that
she would be invited to to more of Mrs Clar-
ence Fitz Gcrald's delightful exclusive par
ties.
mrs. Wharton" said the cook, "there is
boy at the door from the fruiteries he
has an elegant pineapple that Mrs. Pepper
sent round"
ut will be just the very thing / want for
dessert" said Mrs. Wharton chow much is
it,"
IA dollar ma'am."
"Once more the everlasting dollar p, Mrs.
Wharton bit her lip with vexation.
"Tell him TO leave it Bridget, and l will
call and settle with him for it tomorrow"
"He says ma'au, Mrs. Dalton wants il il
you don't happen to have the money handy.
Pine apples doesn't go begin this season Of
the year."
"Let Mrs. Dalton have it then I'll never
buy another article Of Mrs. Pepper"
Mrs. Wharton was now considerably an
noyed.
ITO think dollar should be such a use.
ful thing" she muttered to herself, taking
up her portfolio.
A half-6nished letter lay there-oue to
her sister, who was the wife Of a clergyman
out West. with a Cock Of little children
around her. The last words she had written
were. II send you dollar to buy doll
for the baby, my little name-saks."
"How provoking" she exclaimed, IL
can't even finish my letter for lack of the
everlasting dollar!'
She leaned back in the velvet cushions OF
her chair, drowsily watching the blaze, and
listening to the patter of rain on the window
fell fast asleep.
Where was she 2 In the spectre boat Of
Charon, gliding over the Styx-and as the
bark touched the shores Of the other world,
the CHASTITY toll.gatherer extended his hand
relentlessly :-"Your fare, if you please,
ma'am."
Mrs. Wharton had her fare ready she
handed it up, eager to pass through the gates
where she could see the musical wave Of the
palm trees, and sparkle of glitteriDg tides
that flow beneath the shadow.
"Short by dollar, ma'am. Short by the
single dollar you cheated the poor seamstress
out Of. You cannot enter"
Mrs. Wharton then drew out hundred
dollar bill. The grim CharOn shook his head.
"If you had ten thousand it would not do
nothing will serve our purpose but that one
dollar"
Charon turned the boat briskly around
Mrs. Wharton was just opening her lips to
utter wild cry Of anguish, when she woke.
She shuddered somehow the dollar had
assumed preternaturally large dimensions.
"Charles Charles !" how welcome were
the footsteps of her husband upon the stairs.
"Well, what is it ~
"Have you dollar3"
"Half dozen of them if you want"
"But l only wanted one-iust a dollar
BILL"
He gave it to her, and she Immediately
rang the bell.
John, want you to put on your India
rubber cloak, and take this bill around to
Mrs. Leggett, and tell her it is what L owe
her :"
John departed, and Mrs. Wharton
breathed more easily.
perhaps they will let me in the gates
now" she said dreamily.
"My dear, what do you mean ?" demanded
her astonished husband.
And Mrs. Wharton told him the story Of
her days adventures, and the dream that
closed them.
"Heen," said her husband gravely, "let
this be lesson to you, never to neglect the
just dues of the poor A dollar is not much
to us-to them it may be the last trail bull
wark between them and starvation"
But there was no danger Of Mrs. Whar-
ton ever forgetting the lesson she had re-
ceived.