Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-07-06

| 10 q lodging. Suppose, instead, he had
looked out for himself, cheated right and
len, and been rich man to-day. The
world might have sneered a little, but 1t
would not have passed him by contemptu-
ously, neither would his wife and children
be enduring privstion.
And shiver passed over him, but 1t was
not altogether cold. Here In bis pocket
were a hundred pounds, about which there
would not be question asked for days.
He could endorse it easy enough. 1t was
moro than half years salary, and looked
like a fortune 10 him. He could get some-
where and take fresh start. He was tired
Of being ground down to the earth.
"Evening paper" sang out shrill little
voice at his elbow. "Oh, please, want
little money so much y
$50 do I, child" he answered, almost
roughly, pushing him away.
A hundred pounds. A few years ago ii
would have appeared such trfle. A fe~
years ago he would have thrust a shilling
into the beggar's cold fingers.
lie had been so scrupulously honest, 80
careful of his good name-what bad it
brought himP Next week there would be
quantities Of money coming in. Old Gale
was slow at figures, and he could manipu-
late The books little, arrange it so that
several weeks would elapse before the
fraud would be discovered, resign next
Friday, and be of 10 more prosperous life.
Why, how easy ii was TO be theft This
one hundred pounds had paved the way.
He would consider ii a loan, merely, and
presently pay it back to old Gale.
Well, here he was. lie stamped his feet
and tumbled up stairs. The family on the
lower floor never INDUCED in ball light
save when they expected company. But
Bessie opened her door,
"Ob, Joe l thought something had hap.
pened. Why, how cold and wet you are,"
and she kissed the frosty face.
~ walked up"
"Iu this storm? oh, Joer'
"Yes; l spent my last sixpence for
lunch"
He uttered this in a moody, despairiug
tone.
"But why did you not take more change
this morning?"
He made no reply, but taking off his
coat, stood before the CRATE fire, worn and
gloomy.
Bessie Yates looked so bright and CHEEKY
in her merino gown, with crimping cam
brio ruf1les at throat and wrists, and few
gera mum leaves in her fair hair. And the
room was so cozy and inviting with the un-
salable relics of former prosperity and the
products of Bessie's quick eye aud fairy
IL ,ipa To- I,a
fl relight, and his chintz. covered easy chair
gave him welcome.
"You are very tired"
The sofl cheek was pressed against his,
aud the loving arms were round his neck.
He made no answer 10 the question of
voice, or the sill tenderer question of the
eyes.
HAS 1t been Il very hard day?'
Rather" in a slow weary tone.
"Then you have earned your holiday.
Come and have a cup of tea aud we will
talk it over"
EARNED Ill Yes. But a man like Gale
thinks you a mere engine. Not pleasant
word tonight, not a cordial wish. If he
could have his way there wouldn't ever he
Sunday. 1t is true and honorable souls
that suffer, and whose place eau no more
be found. Why, we have dropped out Of
memory and love and friendship as com
pletely as if We had committed some terri
BILE crime. If l had paid half my debts,
kept my house aud taken a fresh start, the
werld would have thought better of me to-
day."
you are tired and discouraged. Come
and have some supper, and then you shall
see what have made for the little enes'
holiday presents"
poor babies ~
"Oh, we have planned to be merry
enough" and she laughed gleefully.
Many time she had beguiled him with
her pretty ways, but tonight he could not
smile. She broiled him some slices of rare
beef, toasted his bread, gave him a saucer
of canned fruit, aud chattcd away pleasant
ly.
When he stayed so late the children al
ways had their supper aud were put to bed
but tonight Bessie wished they were up to
help WOO her Joseph from his desponden-
cy and bitterness.
"Bessie," he began abruptly, as he rose
from the table, "let me run over your
house account book. How do we stand ?"
"Don't bother your head with it tonight
| want to show you the children's gifls."
She studied his face for moment. Some
thing quite new had come into it. A kind
of hard, desperate resolve, shadowed by a
secret gloom. Seldom had she seen him in
such reticent mood.
at has been hard month with u.s." and
her smile was unconsciously sad. "There
was the coal and the DOCTORS bill for little
Bits"-the baby's pet name-"and the bar
rel of howor-one gets so much nicer -four
by the barrel for the same money"
She said this lingeringly as she brought
him her small housekeeping journal, kept
in the fashion of a methodical business
man. He looked over the entries and dis
bursements for three months back.
'You have no washerwoman, Bessie"
"No; can wash very well myself 1t
makes less trouble and saves something"
He grOaned aloud. His darling Bessie,
of whom he used to be so tender.
"We shall owe nearly six pounds out Of
the months wages"
"Oh, my darling, we can make it up
when summer comes. 1 am well and
and strong, and can't help hoping for bet
ter times"
"Better times Oh, Bessiel When one
begins to go behindhand-W
~ shall try to be more economical"
"My poor dear girl, you make slave OF
your SELF now."
"There, put the bothering thing away.
Now look at my gillsP
She took large parcel from the closet,
and unfastened it with an air of triumph.
"There are dresses for Nellie and Rose,