Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-07-14

say that you and your husband don't live
happily-but la wouldn't mind-I know
faint your fault"
Betty's heart stood still Had it come TO
this John and she not to live happily
To be sure they didn't, as she remembered
with a pang the dreadful scene Of words and
hot tempers but had it gotten around so
soon-a story in everybody's mouth
With all her distress of mind she was
saved from opening her mouth. So Miss
Simmons, failing in that, was forced to go on.
An | tell folks So" she said, rocking
herself back aud forth TO witness the effect
of her words, when they git to tallxin', so
you can't blame me il things don't go easy
for you I'm sure"
"You tell folks SO ?" repeated Betty,
vaguely, and standing quite still. "What
don't understand"
"Why, that the blame is all his'n," cried
the "old maid" exasperated at her strange
mood and her dullness. "I say, says |, why,
there couldn't no one live with him, let alone
that pretty wife he's got. That's what say,
Betty. And then l tell 'em what queer
man he is, how cross, an"
"And you dare to tell people such things
of my husband2" cried Betty, drawing her
self up to her EXTREMIST height, and towering
so over the old woman in the chair, that as
she jumped in confusion at the storm she
had raised, and stared blindly into the blaz-
ing eyes and face rosy with righteous indig-
nation, her only thought was how to get
away from the storm she had raised, but
couldn't stop. But she was forced to stay,
for Betty stood just in front of the chair,
and blocked up the way, so she skunk back
into the smallest corner of it, and took it as
best she could.
"My husband" !" cried Betty, dwelling
with pride on the pronoun--at least, if they
were to part, she would say it over lovingly
| as much as she could till the last moment;
and then, when the time did come, why peo-
pie should know that it wasn't Johns fault
=" the BEST the kindest, the noblest husband
| that was ever given to woman. I've made
him more trouble than you can guess my
hot temper has vexed him-l've been cross,
impatient, and"
Hold cried voice, "you're tai King
against my wife and in a moment big
John Peabody rushed through the door,
grasped the little woman in his arms, ano
folded her to his heart, right before old maid
I and ALL
| "Ohi !" said Miss Simmons, sitting up
straight, and setting her spectacles more
firmly.
"And, now that you've learned all that
you can," said John, turning round to her,
still holding Betty, "why-you may 60!
The chair was vacant. A dissolving view
through the door was all that was TO be seen
of the gossip, who started up the road hur-
riedly, leaving peace behind.
Betty" said John, some half hour after
ward, what was the sigh for ? don't care
now, but did think, dear, and it cut me to
the heart, how you might have married
richer. longed to put ten times ten into
your hand, Betty, and it CALLED me because
couldn't"
Betty smiled and twisted away from his
grasp. Running into the bedroom, she pres
emily returned, still smiling, with bundle
rolled up in clean towel.
This she put on her husbands knee, who
stared at her wonderingly.
al didn't mean," she said, unpinning the
bundle, to let it out now, but | shall have
to. Why, John, day after tomorrow is your
birthday"
so 'tis" said John. ''Gracious has it
come around so soon 2"
Sand you, dear boy" said Betty, shaking
out before his eyes pretty brown affair, all
edged with silk of the bluest shade, that
, presently assumed the proportions of dress.
| ing-gown-" this is to be your present. But
you must be dreadfully surprised, John,
when you get it, for oh | didn't want you
, to know"
. John made the answer he thought best
When he spoke again, he said, perplexedly
. while small pucker of bewilderment set
tied between his eyes "But | don't see
r Betty, what this thing" laying one finger Oh
the gown, had to do with the sigh"
, "That,' said Betty, and then she broke
:, into merry laugh, that got so mixed VI
r with the dimples, and the dancing brown
eyes, that for moment she couldn't finish
4 "Oh John, was worrying so over those but
!. tons they weren't good enough, but they
e were the best could do then. And I'd only
: bought em yesterday-two whole dozen
e And when you put that ten-dollar bill in my
. hand, didn't hardly know it, but suppose
| did give one little bit of sigh, for | wa:
so provoked that l hadn't waited buying
!. them till to-day"
{ John caught up the little woman dressing
: gown and all don't think they have evei
quarreled again-at least have never heart
of it.