Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-03
Mr.. GilmUre's Friend,

Is that the last. Claudy?n
Yes. mamma, the last-the very last. ,
And Clau'lia poured the fine tea from the
canister into the bright tea pot "AnG
here is scarcely butter enough for break.
fast. mamma. But then you know have
made up my mind that butter dent agree
with me, and that tea makes me nervous
so for the future shall have none OF
! them
And Claudia laughed bright, ripping
laugh, that sent the dimples trooping to
her face.
L is Claudia was my only child-six-
teen' beautiful accomplished, and thorough
: y unselfish.
AT the time my narrative commences |
had been confined to my room by nervous
proStration three long months, caused BY
my husbands failure in business and tho
embarrassments consequent upon it, We
had moved in good society, an had look :
ed forward with all II mothers fond antici
pations to see my daughter " come out"
and fill the place that knew her beauty
and accomplishments fitted her for. But
alas. my hopes, by lightning stroke.
were scattered and cloud settled down
upon my soul that it seemed to me would
never be lifted.
We moved from our handsome residence
gave up horses, carriages, servants, and
took lodgings. My husband was gloomy.
dispirited, and even Mt times morose. and
L, who should have been his comforter.
sank down into state of apathy and list
| lessness that ended in net vous fever. II
say ended, because | got up from that sick
bed nobier and wiser woman. All this
time Il bright. beautiful spirit had been
moving about our humble apartments,
comforting father, consong mother, ar
ranging the scanly furniture and making
the best of everything.
Dear Claudia! what lessons of patience
and forbenrance she was unconsciously |
teaching her weak, selfish mother every
day,
have my pets, mamma she used to
say" my books, my piano. papa and
you. What more could any girl ask.
prayp"
In failing, my husband lost everything
except some furniture, and our wearing
apparel, jewelry, etc and these dwpdleJ
away. little by little, until nothing of
value remained. except Claudia's piano.
my engagement ring, and watch, (the lat :
ter gift of an absent brother whom I
had looked upon as dead for MANY years
What 1t was that had s"pped the founda-
ton of my husbands success, and caused
our wealth to disappear so suddenly, | was :
1t the time unaware Of but by degrees :,
he dreadful truth burst upon me. Un- j,
ortunate specuations in shares and stocks. I
md the final crash came that made us nj. f.
most beggars. q "
Come. mamma, TO breakfast; the toast .
made and papa is here" a
AS entered our little parlor, | gave my 9
husband an inquiring glance. which he
nswered as silently by nodding his head
nd looking in the direction of Claudia.
Finishing the breakfast hastily she ran Il
the piano to sing over her favorite W
leceS, rs was her custom before the stern "
r duties of the day commenced. p
James, said |, looking my husband W
Ieadily in the face, " are you still deter IL
llned to make the sacrifice you mention W
t last nightp" W
" Yes; 1t must 60. There is no help for c.
A piano is not much anyhow to people tn
our circumstances, No gny company OF
no society. What use is il? MIR. Gil he
ore's friend will pay good price for it. tic
'd | must have the money for IL venture to-
am about to make, and which am sure eg
ould prove good one" su
l saw by my husbands stern voice and ph
amer that it would be of no use to argue I'M
% matter, so | merely remarked, rs I ha
aned backward in my chair: We
" The money will go like all the rest. tel
ines, and we shall be poorer than ever, ic
side leaving our dear child with scarce. ph
a comfort You might have spared her on
is"
The piano went that same day; and how
heart ached for my innocent darling W
the tears trickled down her cheeks, ie
ri as she tried to keep them back. COZ
: shan't mind it much after day or the
o, mamma, said she smiling through Io' m
tears. " can do more work than %Ju' %
1r; but we must fill up the vacant place lhe
the room with chairs or something, VA ""
isn't we?" Cil
And she hustled about to hide her emo STA
n. uo'
But the music in her soul could no more 90
quenched than could the tide of sony tie
It sweled the trembling throat of her sen
canary. Oh, in those dark and never az
be forgotten days, and the darker ones ,n'
/ followed. what II comfort NV child MI"
s TO me! wh'
,pring, summer, and autumn passed nl'''
we lived in still poorer apartments y1'; .'n;
husband had now surrendered himself WIN
dissipation until everything had been cre'
ept away. My watch and ring had cap
,e with the other things lano. .s ing m IN" larc
Claudia stood betwaer NE s ,,Eo. on- idef
!. In the spring, through the influence Plct
MIR. Gilmore. n wealthy man who had Tue
en- quite an inteaest 10 nv husband. wee
obtained some pupils in music. and
salary was abont our only support. e
was a cold. dark day 10 Novemher "a q
* snow clouds mantled the heavens mnr
the wind blew fearfully. knew in d