Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27

family on the lower floor never indulged
in hall light save when they expected
company. But Bessie opened her door.
"Oh, Joe! l thought something had
happened Why, how cold and wet yor
are" and she kissed the frosty face.
"I walked up"
In this storm? Oh, joel"
Yes; l spent my last sixpence fol-
lunch"
lie uttered this in moody, despairinE
tone.
But why did you not take more chang
this morningP"
He made no reply, but taking off his
coat, stood before the grate-tire, worn ant
| gloomy.
Bessie Yates looked so bright and CHEEKY
in her crimson merino gown, with crimp
ed cambric ruffles at throat and wrists
and few geranium leaves in her fair
hair. And the room was so cozy and in
viting with the unsuitable relics of former
prosperity and the products of Bessie'S
quick eye and fairy fingers. His slippers
were warming in the freight, and his
chintz-covered easy chair gave him well
come.
u" You are very tired"
The soft cheek was pressed against his,
and the loving arms were round his neck.
lie made no answer to the question @
voice, or the still tenderer question of the
eyes.
&" Has it been a very hard dayP"
Rather" in slow, weary tone.
"Then you have earned your holiday
Come and have cup of tea and we viii
talk it overn
EARNED it! Yes. But man like Gale
thinks you a mere engine. Not pleasant
word tonight, not cordial wish If h'
could have his way there wouldn't eve
be a Sunday. 1t is true and honorable
souls that suffer, and whose place can nj
more be found. Why, we have dropped
out of memory and love and friendship ii
completely as if we had committed somt
fearful crime. If had paid half my debts
kept my house and taken fresh start. tht
world would have thought better of me
to-day.n
You are tired and discouraged. Come
and have some supper, and then you shal
see what have made for the little ones
holiday presents"
Poor babies"
och, we have planned TO be merry
enough" and she laughed gleefully.
Many a time she had beguiled him will
her pretty ways, but tonight he could no
smile. She broiled him ONE slices OF rart
beef, toasted his bread, gave him saucer
of canned fruit, and chatted away pleas
antly.
When he stayed 50 iac the children al
ways had their supper and were put ,tt
bed but to-hioht Bessie wished they were
up to help her WOO Joseph ftom his des
pondency ard bitterness.
Bessie he began abruptly, as he ros'
from the table, " let me run over you
house account book. How do we standP'
don't bother your head with it to
night. | want to show you the chldren'i
gifts"
She studied his face for a moment
Something quite new had come TO it: A
kind of hard, desperate resolve, shadow
ed by secret gloom. Seldom had she
seen him in such II reticent mood.
=" 1t has been hard month with us, "
/ anu LCE EIllllb WAS uHCOuoGlOuolJ
There was the coal and the doctors bill
for little Bts"-the baby's pet name--"ant
the barrel of flour one gets so much mic
er flour by the barrel for the same mon
ey."
She said this lingeringly as she brough
him her small housekeeping journal, KEEP
in the fashion of n methodical business
man. He looked over the entries and dis
bursemrnts for three months back.
" You have no washerwoman, Bessie.
"No; l can wash very well myself /
makes less trouble and saves something.
lie groaned aloud. His darling Bessie
of whom he used to be so tender!
1--WE shall owe nearly six pounds oul
of the months wages"
"Oh, my darling, we can make it NJ
when summer comes. | am we'll anC
strong. and can't help hoping for bettel
times"
Better times! Oh, Bessie When ont
begins to 90 behindhand-w
Il shall try to be more economical"
My poor dear girl, you make IL slav'
of yourself, now."
"There! Put the bothering thing away
Now look at my gifts!'
She took large parcel from the closet
and uniastened 1t with an air of triumph
There are dresses for Nellie and Rose
made out of my blue poplin that you liket
so well. No one would dream that it ha'
been washed, and made the old velve
do duty again. And are not these stylisl
Normandy caps? Then I've crotchete'
them mittens and leggings. like to se
them look pretty on Sunday, and they d
so love to go to Sunday School. AnC
here is Bessie's suit"
Which really cannot be an old dres
turned?"
mo; it's the Scotch plaid circular ha
years ago. Isn't it preltyP And look a
these shoes!
Two pairs of dainty boots, of thick
pearl. .colored cloth, bound in blue for on
and scarlet for the other.
q" You did not make them?"
"Yes, did; out of scraps left of m
cloak, with the tops of those old Frencl
boots of yours for soles. Am not gen
iusP"
"Oh, Bessie!" and he hid his face.
"And look at my dolls!
They were almost us good as " boughte
ones " in their gay dresses. She hn
marked eyes, nose and mouth, giving then
pink cheeks and pretty substitute 70
hair.
"Little midgets, they will be wild witt
delight"
"Oh, Bessie was thinking of then
tonight. We were never so poor before
Not even a penny to spend!"
"It is hard! | shall never be oonvertet
to the idea that rich people often advanc
about poverty being the happiest state o
life, and poor people being free from care
The sweet sleep of the laborer is very OF
ten quoted, but l wonder how many o
them lie awake planning how they cal
make one pound do the work of two. Blu
we have each other, and health, and faitl
in Heaven
bessie" ho interrupted, how mucl
does a woman lovep How much woul'
she forgive?"
Ito the end. All things, Joseph-pov
erty, trial, sacrifice
"And shame. disgracee"
She was clingirg to him, trembling j
every pulse.
"Oh, not that" she cried. Better tn
bitterest poverty. 1t is my one great CON
fort that you never did anything dishonor
able. would rather be poor as we ar