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


can say that"
He could never tell her how easy the
yillainy looked to him, how certain seemed
the prosperity at the end. Oh, Heaven!
he could not stay here, studied by her clear
eyes, kissed by her pure lips Why, it
would end by making an honest beggar of
him.
You are not going out again, Joe, dar-
ling"
Bessie, l must-for little while. 1t is
buslness-something that may better us
bit if should be successful"
joe"
There, sweet wife Heaven knows
you are an angel Iwon't be gone long"
Somehow she had not the will to detan
him. She crouched over the fire, listened
to the storm and prayed-it was all she
could do-for her dear one, whose heart
and hands had always been kept clean,
hithertos
The storm was fierce enough. 1t chimed
in with his desperate mood. In u month
more he would be an outsider, Il thief,
fugitive, skulking about in darkness and
dread, dishonored man. On in the dark
ness! He must think it out now-must
decide.
Evening paper! Oh, sir, please buy
paper!"
There was u lamp-post at the corner,
and Joseph Yates caught the poor little
waif by his shoulder
You're the boy l met down in Pine
Street," he exclaimed. Don't you know
you cannot sell papers this time of night?
| Run home out of the storm -
Oh, sirl mother-she's starving! And
there's great window full of things down
yonder that look so good-so good! Why,
the very smell of 'em's Il feast. can't
steal, but, oh, won't some one give me
few pennies ?"
Here" he said let us try. We will
both beg. They are making ready for u
grand feast. Come along"
He pulled him almost roughly by the
arm over the sleety steps, through the open
door, into the light, the warmth, and the
spicy fragrance.
"Will you save poor, perishing, soul,
this night?' he asked, addressing the
groub. is the love of Heaven within
you great enough to keep this child and
his mother from starvatiOn?n
They gathered around and the story was
soon told.
A small sum was speedily gathered
ten shillings-and the boys joy found vent
in tears and thanks.
For you see, I'm not used to selling
papers, nor matches, and the other boys
run me off. I'd do anything-but steal"
Joseph Yates looked at the ptiful little
mite. Not ragged, nor with the vagrant
air Of waits in general. Why, what was
there 50 ody familiar about the face9
Somewhere it had peered at him with
not quite the same look in the eyes, but
rouising him to some other sentiment than
that of pity.
They walked out together and went to u
shop, where the boy displayed the pru-
dence of market woman.
"We've no fire." he said.
The shop-keeper tied stout string
round great bundle, and Yates shoulder
ed it.
On they trudged, up an alley finally, and
to room on the ground floor, clean, but
very poor and scantily furnished.
"Oh, mother, mother! I've brought
you something TO eat, and wood to make
fire, and this gentleman--"
The child was sobbing on the bed, utter
ing broken sentences, and then laughing
hysterically.
Joseph Yates began to build fire in
mechanical way, thinking over his temp
tation, and whether Heaven had saved
him.
"Oh, how can l ever thank youP" " the
woman began presently.
g.. nonit y h., b,,eI;lr have
en- nothing-nothing. l am beggar my
self, or perhaps worse"
You may be poor, but you have heart
And poor little Will-it's been so hard for
him. If he only had one friend!"
Then she raised herself suddenly, and an
eager light shone in the sunken eyes.
There is man," she went on slowly,
Peter Gale, by name, in this city-a rich
man. Did you ever hear of him?'
Hear of him? am his book k-keeper,"
he answered grimly.
IF | could see him. He might"
Joseph Yates smiled bitterly.
Don't count on him. he said. " He
is hard as the neither millstone."
"Bnt if he knew he had n child-a son?
He used 10 desire it so much"
The head fell back feebly, and the thin
fingers grasped at the coverlet.
Yates looked at her in Nmazement.
He remembered now that he had heard
some story about Gales marriage years
ago, and that his wife had left him.
lie caught the child again, and studied
the thin face by the lamplight.
Yes, that was 1.-THE likeness that had
puzzled him so.
His child" he repeated, in blind,
dazed manner. &" His son! And you are
his wife?"
"Ycsn
The kettle boils," said Willie; "I'll
make you some beef-tea. Oh, mother,
mother he said, you will get well"
Peter Gales wife and child! What were
they doing in beggaryP
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
renowned him and gone off in Il fit of
passion. And when her child was born,
months afterwards, how she had triumph
ed in the entire possession of him
She had a small fortune of her own,
which had suticed her till year ago,
when i'm unforeseen loss had swept it
away.
Then she had sold her furniture, jewels,
sewed a little, but with her failing health
she could not accomplish much
She had come to London to stay with
friend until she could decide upon her wis
est course, for she was fearful that her in
iured husband would take the child and
disown her.
Her friend had died suddenly week
after her arrival, and she had gone on in
fear and suspense until, as it seemed now,
death was near for herself.
"Will he be glad to have his childP"
she moaned. "Oh, if | only knew-if |
only knew!"
lie gave the poor thing hope, and left her
much comforted Then he went out in
the street once more.
Bessie had watched the hours away in
strange alright.
Never had she seen Joe in such IL mood.
What had happened to himp
The fire wasted to ashes.
She shivered and drew shawl around
her shoulders.
What if Joe's mind had met with some
great strain, and he had gone off to self
Observation-Disclosures than that she could
not think of him.
The clocks were striking nine.
There was step on the stairs, and she