Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-05-07

"Jennie Jennie Oh, here you are, and
Mr. Graham came out through the back
kitchen door and seated himself upon the
edge of huge log that had been hewed out
and did duty for eaves-drop and cistern. 1t
was not unusual for him to seek her he al
ways did when he came in and found her not
in the house. II was not Il bad habit in the
man. His very life seemed bound up in her;
and although he had the reputation among
his neighbors of being close in his business
transactions, he was kind-hearted and gener-
Gus, too, in his way This morning he had
something of importance to communicate.
81 didn't tell you last evening"" he said,
that had already had some talk with South
well about that land. He wouldn't listen to
a cent under 81, 600 then, and wouldn't Of
fer more than 81, 800. He came over to see
me this morning. and offered to split the diff
ference. Amt that bargain, though?
little better than spending money for paint
or paper, Jennie Oh" rising to go, II
came near forgetting to tell you. Powers is
here He wants to hire out during harvest
| have hands enough, but suppose the more
help have the better l shall get along, so l
told him TO go right to work. ! don't sup
pose he has been to breakfast yet his folks
are so slack, so you might set out bit for
him to eat. Try and have the lunch ready for
half-past nine you can blow the horn, and l
will send one of the men down for it"
Poor Jennie it was the last straw that
broke the camels back She struggled hard,
but the tears would come. Mr.. Graham
turned back and came instantly to her side
when he saw that she was in trouble.
"What is the matter, dear y he asked COM
passionately, while his large kind hand glided
down her hair with a soft caressing touch.
"If you are not feeling well I'll slip down and
get Miranda Powers to come out and help
you. | guess I'd better anyway, hadn't | 2
Mrs. Graham mastered her emotion with
an effort.
"Oh, no" she said "There isn't any
thing"
Mr. Graham hesitated he was not salts
fed with this explanation.
There :" She said. Now do go along to
your work or | shall be foolish enough to
cry again" and, indeed, she looked very
much as if she might
Hiram Graham had faint idea rs to what
the matter was, aud was very willing to do
as she bade him. He felt considerably an
noyed that his wife could not see the advan-
tage of the proposed purchase that would so
materially add to their mutual property. And
then he began to wonder what she was think
ing so silently about while she stood looking
off toward the distant hill A little jealousy
crept in with the thought. The owner Of
that fine mansion had once been fopndable
rival of his. There could have been no rea-
son for her choice but the one she so shyly
confessed to him in the soft twilight of a
summer evening ten years ago
How proud aud happy he had folt!' He
vowed she would never want for anything
which he could procure. But he had changed
since. He had little to commence with
They had to practice such rigid economy,
and to watch every dollar so closely, to be
able to meet the payments on the farm that
he had learned to love money, not so much
for the good it could purchase AS for its own
sake.
When he came to dinner, followed by his
troop of hands, he could not help noticing
how flushed and tired she looked, but she
was as cheerful as ever The morning cloud
passed: and with the sweet spirit of self sac
ritice that characterized her she had buried
her dead hopes and taken up the burden of
life again as best she could
Hiram Graham was not ignorant of this
sacrifice and it touched him keenly; the
thought of it troubled him during the after
noon. He could not deny that his wife had
worked AS hard rs he during the years past,
and that the economy he had practced had
been mostly in her domain. lie began to
wish that he had treated her wishes more re-
spcctfully at least But then he could not
lay What "a choice piece of land it was
How long he had wanted it And now,
when il was almost within his grasp, must he
let it go! And even were he to yield to Jen-
nie's wishes now, would she not know that
he had done 30 reluctantly and against his
better judgment; And during the afternoon
he thought the matter over and over.
Powers, he called out, as that individual
was leaving the field at night, IF the folks
at home can spare Miranda, let her come up
in the morning and help my wife"
IAN right, she will be glad to come, was
the answer
Harvest was over and Mrs. Graham spoke
of discharging the girl. you Apd better
keep her to help you" advised her husband.
mo" said Mrs. Graham when there is nc
one but my own family, | can do the work
easy enough alone. believe like to work, "
added she, smiling; "at least l am alwayl
happest when am busy"
'How long has it been since you have beer
home to your fathers on VISIT he asked
| abruptly.
Five years ago last June, when sister FL
| len was married
How would you like to 60 out and see the
| folks this fall
What glad light came into her face, and
then faded, rs she said hesitatingly How
can co.
Never mind about that. You have earned
| a play day, and none of my transactions shal
hinder you from enjoying one. You haC
| better take the children with you the folk
will want to see them. We will go to tow
tomorrow, and you can get what things yo'
need, and Miranda can stay and help you ge
ready. You will want to get off as soon IA
you can, for you will want to make gOoC
| long visit while you are about it
| tARut what will VOu do withOut if WI
make too long a stay :"
Don't mind about me. l can keep bach
| elor's hall, he added laughing
Two weeks after and Mrs. Graham haC
gone, and Hiram Graham had the house al
to himself
After the lapse of five weeks he went to tn,
station to meet his wife and children. The,
had enjoyed the most delightful visit, and al
were glad and happy, and as they drov,
homeward there was much to be told anI
many inquiries to be made. As they neare'
the house Mrs. Graham looked suddenly for
ward, while her husband watched her fac
and rubbed his hands together in quiet glee
What was that soft lustrous gray, cleaning
out from among the green leaves: Was sh,
dreaming? No it was the house with it
green shutters and porticoes.
why Hiram Graham, what have you beer
doingY
She looked again. And picket fence
And the most charming little gate Aud
graveled walk, and then she could not keel
the tears from coming
Come, Jennie, said Mr.. Graham, teasing
ly, although his own eyes moistened witt
sympathetic happiness, don't feel SO ga'
about it. / may have worse things yet T.
show you. There, how does that suit 7" h
asked after they had entered the house
pointing to the bay window II didn't un
derstand such things, so got a workman VIII
plants And here, he said leading the wa
through the kitchin and throwing opel
the door, sis the woodhouse, and there
opening door, lis a pantry that can't b
beat anywhere. And this is something yo
didn't mention" he continued approaching