Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-02-21

amount to much but .he little woman
saves seems to count up. What with her
teaching the boys to save school bills and
patching and making to cheat the tailor,
and turning this and twisting that, she al
ways made things come ont right. Why,
sir, when was mourning because ! could
not see my way clear to send VIII TO college
when found he was set about going she
told me not to worry she and the girls would
manage it somehow-and they did sir;
they sold butter, milk, eggs, poultry; and
took summer boarders, working early and
late, and viii can hold up his head with
any of your learned men now. He's got
about all the practice he can attend to, and
is called the best doctor about here. He
owes it all to his mother and sisters, sir
The children all helped themselves, and that
made things easy BY the time our young
est boy was ready for school, / made some
thing handsome by selling mill site to
city company; and since then, one way and
another it's been pretty plain sailing. ]
wasn't for letting them have it, but mother
said yes, and have always been glad Our
town has grown wonderfully since then, and
these grandchildren Of mine won't be obliged
to run away to find work. I've always said
men don't give their wives half credit
enough for their work. It seems n mean
way of looking at things for man to ex-
pect wife to live on less money than one
of these servants our city friends are bring
ing here every summer-but there, there's
mother calling me TO tea she always taps
on the window that way for me. Walk
right in, sir, and take cup of tea and some
homemade bread it's long way yet to the
tavern and mother never feels put out with
unexpected company"
The stranger hesitated moment, and then
accepted the invitation with thanks.
Father Bray introduced him in his own
fashion, saying, Here's stranger mother,
to take bite with us; | can't Justly call
him by name"
"Josephs, sir, said the stranger, with
polite bow.
Yes, yes, Mr.. Josephs, mother. | tell
him we always have room for stranger at
our table"
"Indeed we have, sir; you are heartily
welcome
Hannah" said she, addressing her as
sistant, "brng plate for the gentleman "
and all Mother Bray's hospitality was aroused
when the stranger said it was a long time
since he had tasted homemade bread
A very pleasant little tea party of three,
and very social one, for the stranger asked
many questions concerning the town, which
host and hostess were pleased to answer. At
last he asked, " Who has charge of the mill
you were speaking of ?" "Gregory," said
the old man, "one of our town boys and
the chum of our Joe Just his age too"
Mother Bray put down eteaspoon she had
been balancing on the top of her cup during
| the conversation, and a sigh escaped her.
The stranger looked at her instantly, and
+ Father Bray fastened to say; "There,
mother dear, didn't mean to name him
my tongue grows careless as my hands grow
clumsy"
Mother Bray rose at once, and the old
man led his guest back to the seats under
the maple, saying. as he went, " Poor mother,
she can't give up her baby yet my foolish
tongue will cost her sleepless night. Do
you smoke, sir ~
"I confess to weakness on that point"
Then you will have company soon, sir.
for the children come in at night, and Will
lie is great smoker
Do your children visit you every even
ing ?"
"Oh, yes; it is one of our family customs
The boys take turns in looking after the
chores for us, and instead Of my coming to
my chair in the summer as soon as supper
is done, watch for them at the gate; in win
ter they roll my chair close to the window
so | can watch them coming in
One after another they entered the gate
and walked up the little path the grand
children running to "kiss grandpa first :
and their elders hesitating as they saw hi,
guest.
The stranger moved away from the ole
man, after greeting his children. and stooC
"i't. ilI;t,. ht tba ho,In,' ,,ro,,r
9s r0t ,t,,, e,,, o"r ,,,a,
"J ''histi;no, towarJ i tba norty and % wa
,'I i".'ae m so,' wiiIia4, how,
'o,.;,'. e, aost W;ii;a ,o,, v,anl,
80 h;,, -, ;,
WA. ~ ',. Iart said VIII bol1ir,
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ti4 u. L. L;,I - soia,, o,,1,. ,'ar.
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u'e VI ','1'ii "e nav ~ V''J'i -
s''e sea iol MS '"i' use Po'""t' 'e i"'s"
; i''IoE 1neiI' .. .... ... H..
III ven i'in.''es 'ne .Mo ii'en Me'e o.a
I,ng away l'he D'u ir,eIuI, Mn'.e -no,,ie ;
pray anu Illr slI's Mere noIu'ns aii mp
.'''lv co',N',i'"..on voi''iYo
; anu E Eia"9pa was nTl'ilis e 'i"S D"ui
lil,s Is cI,ea'ntA 'ne H,ese uis"' 1''
! s'iiok,ua you nay III. my l"S'e rH"o'V'
! a" saiu 1ne Stranger WIN " Hu,,
siulis' ,:I aln giau you appIec'a.e .''eli' n'
, WanIere'S iiAe 'iiSse'i Sonie'i'"eS n"o '"'
! "rV'e,e' n..,,t,..
ItcaAIIs y, M"nu1' 'e VS. Sa'u .' '''e "S'''
ulu la'neI 'eil you oi our stray o"e
Is hgHt 10 illo1'er' ms % ioooy h,. !;