Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-11-12

"neu tne boys were small, and things
went contrary, why, l used to get grain
cross and nervous like, for had temper
OF my own. but blese you, mother she ID
Just look up at me with those sorrowful.
looking eyes, and it always made me feel
mean and hate myself. Shs brought ouI
children up SO, sir; her pitiful looks and
her prayers did more for them than SHARP
words or rod. As to money, the credit
Is hers for it all; the little a man earns
don't amount to much, but the little q
woman saves seems TO count up. What
with her teaching the boys TO save school
bills, and patching and making 10 cheat
the tailor, and turning this and twisting
that, she always made things come out
right. Why, sir, when | was mourning
because | could not see my way clear to
send Will to college, when found he was
set about going. she told me not to worry,
she and the girls would manage it some
how-and they did, sir; they sold butter,
eggs, milk, poultry, and took summer
boarders, working early and late, and
Will can hold up his head with any of
your learned men now; he's got about all
he practice he can attend 10 and is called
the best doctor about here He owes it
ili W Ills hOluCI anu SlSleTSs SIT. L Qe
children all helped themselves, and that
made things easy. By the time our young
est hoy was ready for school, had made
something by selling mill site to a city
company; and since then, one way and
another, it's been pretty plain sailing. l
wasn't for letting them have it, hut mother
said yes and | have always been glad.
Our town has grown wonderfully since
then, and those 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.
1t seems mean way of looking at things,
for man to expect q wife to live on less
money than one of these servants our city
friends bring here every summer; but
there, that's mother calling me to tea !;
she always taps on the window that way
for me. Walk right in sir, and take Il
cup of tea and bit of homemade bread
its long way yet to our tavern. and
mother never feels put out with uneXpect-
ed company"
The stranger hesitated moment and
then accepted the invitation with thanks.
Father Bray introduced him in his own
fashion, saying, Here's stranger,
ihOhil'l1 " lNhC tb DItC Will US Ciu L
justly call him by name"
"Josephs, sir,' said the stranger, with
polite bow,
"Yes, yes, Mr.. Joscphs, mother, l tell
him we always have room for stranger
at our table"
Indeed, we have sir; you are heartily
welcome"
Hannah" said she, addressing her
assistant, "bring plate for the gentle
man. and all Mother Bray's hospitality
was reused ut once, when the stranger
said lit was long time since he had
tasted home made bread"
A very pleasant little tea party of three,
and very social one-for the stranger
asked many questions concerning the
town, which the host and hostess were
pleased to answer. At last he asked,
"who has charge of the mill you were
speaking of P''
Gregory" said the old man, zone Of
our town boys, and the chum of our Joe
just his age, too
Mother Bray put down the teaspoon she
had been balancing on the top of her cup,
her.
The stranger looked at her instantly and
Father Bray fastened to say:
| There, mother dear, didn't mean tC
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 speech will cost her sleepess
night. Do you smoke, sir?'
81 confess to weakness on that point. ,
"Then you'll have company soon, sir
for the children come in at night, anC
Willie is II 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 insist on my coming tc
my chair us soon as supper is done; il
winter they roll my chair close to the
window 50 | 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 a little as the.
saw his guest.
The stranger moved away from the OLE
man after greeting his children, and stool
apparently looking at the landscape, bu
in reality seeing nothing but the happy
group.
, A moment or two later, fine lookin.
man came whistling toward the party
and was introduced us my son William.
Il have been saying to our guest, Willie
, you would soon he here 10 join him in
| smoke
, with all my heart" said Willie, hold
ing out his hand to the stranger. -
foolish habit, sir, but kind of solace onl
t very busy men can appreciated
The stranger drew from his pocket a
) elegant cigar case and requested him st
: try one of them; he had brought ther
t across the sea for his own use, perhaps b
s might fancy them"
S In ten minutes the two men were cha
/, ting away like old friends, while Mothe
: Bray and the girls were holding an impol
a tant consultation concerning tomato catsul
L and grandpa was holding Mary's baby.
d "This is certainly the finest cigar
e ever smoked; you have hit my tasl
II exactly"
i "Ah,' said the stranger, with quit
II Sulle, an Siau you "PPioo''Io Iho,i
C wanderers like myself sometimes find
h rare article
} "Speaking of Wanderers said tt
+ doctor, "did father tell you of our stra
one? 1t is, next to mother, his hobby"
g {" He alluded to an absent one, but d
5 not ask any questions, although l WI
S greatly Interested. You know we rove
e have "a kind of masonic friendship for or
another"
:, Il can imagine it for our absent BROTH
c leftus twelve years since to see somethin
y of the world; he possessed mania ft
G travel. At first he thought only of Ca
o ifornia, but year there was enough II
n him; then he went to China. and afte
IS ward Joined kind of scientific explorir
c party, and went to Brazil. We heal
n from him once or twice after he left I'll
n party and joined some gentlemen as res
IL less US himself. He had superior min
: was well read, and one of the best brothe
&c man ever had. Poor, dear Joe, l wou
&c give half, yes, two-thirds of my income
II hear something of him."
e Did he never send home anythir
if from the places he visited?"
,.Yas onca onlv than a hoy containiI