Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-11-07
ONLY A POOR WORKlNGMAN.

ped to kiss the pale faced child that
lay on its low couch.
John Grey had spoken the truth.
"Only poor workingman" he was /;
but a man with aspirations for some
thing beyond the usual routine Of his
daily life. Fitting for a physician
when his father died, and, instead Of
the goodly heritage the family had ex-
pected, creditors came forward, unjust
men settled the estate, and in three
months from the time John Grey was
written father)ess he was toiling for
daily bread for himself and two 9TH
ers toiing as many others have
going forth in the morning with the
pail in hand, not to return till late at
night.
He had known Jennie Ware from
early childhood. 1t was the rale boy
and girl fondneSs that had ripened in
to truest. purest love. a weary wait
ing of five years. Johns sister was
married; but there seemed no hope
of anything better coming to John,
for, with his tastes and aspirations, he
could not hope to rise in the mechani-
cal world and then, choosing the
working day world with one she loved,
against pleasure-trips, silks and velvets
with one she didn't, at the altar John
Grey and Jennie Ware were pronounc.
ed man and wife.
Patiently he toiled, and cheertully
she wrought. In time, four bright
children came to their home. Healthy
bodies, as well as sound intellects,
were vouchsated all but one,
Bertha, the second, the brightest OF
all, whose large dark eyes were ever
studying something afar off, was now
dropping.
"a warm climate" the tat man said,
who had grown so rich on death-bed
scenes that he had forgotten, he ever
knew, what light purse and a heavy
heart meant. "a warm climate and
all delicacles to tempt her appetite .
How? An invalid mother, hard
working wife, three rosy children and
| one sick one. Ali these to care for
: on the slender wages ola workingman.
l Bitter mockery seemed such talk to
John and Jennie, and this was the
: feeling that prompted his opening re-
+ marks.
Better an honest workingman than
, dishonest gentleman of leisure )" and
f; Jennie called up smile Of witely en-
couragement, for, with all their hard,
{ ships and disappointmenls, love had
not been crushed out of the hearts OF
these two.
1t isn't tor me, Jennie. have got
. ten bravely over my hopes and asplra
tions )" but a tear came to the strong
mans eyes even as he spoke. "Ive
0 gotten bravely over it all for myself
1t isn't for you, Jennie, though birth
education and worth have fitted you
q to rank with any lady in the land
q You might have marie d where al
comforts would have been yours.
. "Not all, John dear. might have
married land, wealth and idleness in
. deed, chose heart. Was it fool
, ish? l thought it outweighed them
y ALL"
5 "a poor workingman may be rict
4 in wife Jennie" and John Grey
t brushed the tear from his eyes, "but
' would like to see you better clad.
. would like to surround you with lux
. uries but it isn't all you, dear.
8 would like to educate our children, as
!, they ought TO be educated. Nature
b has been most beni6cent to them, but
. their father cant do much. There is
e Harry, eager and interested in insec
e life; with proper opportunities, he
might become a great naturalist
, Will, poor boy, has all my old love fol
: anatomy, and so forth. Perhaps, witt
:, no drag on him, he can work his way
up alone, though the struggle will be
bard but Harry hasn't selfreliance
or perseverance, sufficient. He need:
help. Then little Annie, she might
be a fiuely-educated, accomplished
young lady, if her father could only
: do his duty by hsr But it isn't that
Il alone, Jennie, it is for this, our first.
!, born daughter. 1t seems as though
u it would kill me, Jennie. A little pal
try gold would save her-bring back
> her health and strength--aye, life it
self"
s "John," his wife said, "wait min
ute. God holds in his hand oul
child's life, as He has held our desti