Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-03-12
Peter Dowdy's Plan.

expense OF any real pleasure or peace.
Peter had seen the frosts and sunshine
of three score years, and had now settled
down to enjoy himself. His wife had
been dead many years, but he had
faithful daughter, who lived with him
and took care of his home. He had on
ly two children living-the youngest,
who was now almost thirty, was mar
ried to a Mr.. Claudius Brown, and had
moved to distant town while the 9TH
er, who was some three years older, yet
remained beneath the paternal roof. She
Is what we call an ''old maid" but the
state was one of her own choice. While
the flush of early youth was upon her
cheeks, she had been loved, and had
loved In return; but death came and
took her loved one away, and since that
time her heart had been her own, and
as long as her father lived, she had re-
solved not to leave him.
One bright day in autumn, just as
the leaves began to turn yellow and fall
upon the ground. the stage stopped in
front of Peter Dowdy's house, and la
dy alighted. The driver took off a trunk
and then drove away, while the female
walked up the yard.
why! Hannah Is it you ?" cried
the eldest daughter, rushing out and
throwing her arms about the newcomers
neck.
"Yes, Sarah, it is me at home once
more"
The two sisters kissed, and laughed,
and cried, and then entered the house.
Peter Dowdy sprang from his chair when
he saw his younger daughter, and the
quick, joyous light that overspread his
face, and danced in his eyes, told how
happy he was. -, ,oy
4, .ne old man, as soon as the trio had
become seated.
"He will come tomorrow, the wife
replied.
"But why didn't he come to-day ?
What business has wife to run away
in this fashion 2" cried Peter, merrily.
Hannah tried to smile, but she could
not. Even a little drop of moisture gath
cred upon her dark lashes, and before
she could wipe it away, it fell upon her
lap.
"He had business" she said, at
length, ''or he would have come with
me. He will be here tomorrow"
Peter saw that something was the
matter, but he resolved to wait before
he asked any questions. Yet he felt
very curious, for he knew that his child
could have been guilty of no wrong, and
he thought it impossible that Claudius
could have been so for two more loving
or milder and good-natured people, he
did not know. However, the converse
tion went on, and Hannah frightened
up.
After supper, Sarah went out to milk
the cows-a work she always did from
choice, when it was convenient, though
there were two hired men on the place
who would have been glad to relieve the
good girl of the task-and when sh,
was gone, the old man drew Hannah t,
his side.
"My child" he said, kindly and Low
ingly, "what has happened to make 20,
s unhappy p
"Me? Unhappy 2" she repeated, try
l ing to look surprised.
"Yes. Hannah-unhappy. Do not tr
to deceive me. but tell me the truth.
may help you"
"And have L seemed unhappy, father !?
= "When speaking of your husband 20
I have so l know there is some domesti
e trouble"
At this the young wife bowed he
W head, and the big tears began to ro
= down her cheeks but her father DIRE
y her head upon his shoulder, and after
while he succeeded in getting at her s.
r cret.
g "O," she said, "Claudius is a goo
Is kind husband, but he has allowed hin
self to be overcome by-by-stror
- drink. He has not yet become drum
e, ard, but my unhappiness is from n
lie fear, for l know his nature and dispo'
=, tiOn so well that my fear has ground
,, l know If he keeps on, the habit W
~ grow with him, and that before he knov
na it, he will be lost
But how long has he been so % as
ok ed the old man, with mingled ankle
a and surprise.
~. AZ at is now about year since l fiji
"a saw him at all disguised with liqu'
,r- but within the last two months he b
lie. been so very often. He spends mu
en- time in the bar. room, and l know I'll
$ he spends much money"
or "Has he ever ill-treated you %
~ 30, no, no He is the same kind 81
ID always when he is sober, and when
ED is-is-not sober, he crawls away {
ar of my sight"
u "And what have you said to him :?
in9 Nothing"
j" What Have you not spoken to b