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

mOtnerl T. ne salu, you VIII get we'll
Peter Gales wife and child What were
they doing in beggaryH
He helped the little boy prepare some
nourishment for her, and presently he lis
tened to broken, disjointed story.
How she had been high spirited, and
they had disagreed, until one day, she had
renounced him and gone of in a tit of pas
sion. Aud when her child was born, months
afterwards, how she had triumphed in the
entire possession of him
She had a small fortune of her own,
which had suficed her till year ago,
when an unforeseen loss bad swept II away.
Then she had sold her furniture, jewels,
sewed little, but with her failing health
she could not accomplish much.
She had come to London to stay with a
friend until she could decide upon her wis.,
est course, for she was fearful that her in-
! jured husband would take the child and
dsown her.
Her friend had died suddenly week af-
aud suspense until, as 1t seemed now, death
was near for herself.
"Will he be glad TO have his Child7" she
moaued. "Ob, i'll only knew-if 1 only
knew r.
He gave The poor thing hope, aud len her
much comforted. Then lie went out in the
street once more.
Bessie had watched the hours away in
strange alright.
Never had she seen Joe in such mood.
What had happened to him?
The fire wasted to ashes.
She shivered and drew a shawl around
her shoulders.
What II Joes mind had met with some
great strain, and he had gone off TO self-de-
struclion ?-Worse than that she could not
| think of him.
The clocks were striking nine.
There was a step on the stairs, and she
opened the door.
Joe came in quietly, kissed her, took Off
his overcoat and his boots, and sank into
his easy chair. lie was deathly pale now,
with great shadows under his eyes.
"Joe."
"Bessie, darling, have l acted like a brute
"a fiend? I've been tempted by The evil
one ! l bad made up my IN nd to he a thief,
for thought saw no other way out of my
wilderness. Don't cry out, Bessie; l am
IL honest man, and will go honestly to my
grave. could never be tempted again af-
ter being snatched out of such depths"
She was crying at his feet.
He raised her and kissed her with solemn
tenderness, and told her his story.
He put on his coat next morning and
went TO Mr.. Gales.
1t was dull, unpretending brick house,
but warm and comfortable within.
The master sat over his lonely break fast,
his face grave and sterner than ever.
II ad be been thinking over old dreams,
long since come to nothing?
"What now?" he said gruffiy, as Y2tes
entered the room.
"This," answered Yates, and he laid the
ch eek beside his plate. "You see it came
yesterday"
"And you
at was accidental at first. mislaid it in
my hurry. did not tell you then, because
l wanted TO ask favor, aud knew you
would be angry at my cal elessness. l put it
in my pocket and il became Satans temp
tstion to me. Do you suppose this paltry
"OuIu hdNO Hlt hutM
how easily could make false entries, and
repay nay self the sum 1 am worth 10 you
that your penuriOusness keeps ME out of.
went out in the storm last night, aud
fought as a man does for his life, and, with
Heavens help, conquered. found poor
little stray boy, not yet niue years old,
hawking papers to keep himself and sick
mother from starvation. In his anxiety
even he refused TO steal. And this child
that saved me and made it an utter impos-
sibility ever 10 touch penny of yours or
any mans money that 1 have not honestly,
earnestly earned, is-listen, Peter Gale
your son, your baby, born less than nine
years ago, months after his mother had left
your house,
"My child my son! What lrumped-up
story is thls?"
Go and see for yourself-there, II James
Court. The woman is dying"
Peter Gales face took an ashen tint. He
rose and tottered few steps, shaking as if
with an ague.
"Will you go with me, YatesH I-there
are so many imposters. But should know
Margarei's face. Dying?"
What bitter memories surgei up in that
bard heart only Heaven knew. Yates took
his arm and led him along.
Here Is the place-this door. You have
no further need OF me. A man aud his wife
are best alone when they have a story 10
tell"
Joseph Yates went home again.
"I shall be discharged, of course" he
said 10 Bessie. "Peler Gale would never
forgive such thing. It's a hard winter,
but can't think Heaven will let us slarve."
He went down TO the contingencies on
Monday and took his place at the desk.
Peter Gale came in and laid the check on
his book without word. He had changed
greatly since Friday night, looked older
aud broken, and fearful, as If suspicious
that every ono he met would pass judgment
upon him.
YATES" he said at night, "stop awhile,
will your That was my wife and my child
my little boy" he added, with curious
tremble in his voice akin to tears. ~ can't
tell you about the old times when we were
both at fault. Margarets sorry enough
now, and Heaven knows, SO am 1. She
can't last long, but I've brought her home,
aud the boy hangs aIler me and kisses me.
never knew before"
He paused, and, after clearing his voice
and drawing his coat-sleeve across his eyes,
continued:
"Yates, I've been hard master, know,
but you're good man, and couldn't
spare you. want you to stay and take
charge at five hundred pounds year-will
that dol And refused you your own on
Friday, but here's gin to make up, for
you brought TO me-oh, Yates, such gin