Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-03-24

no'n, anu VIII senu one OF the men down
for it,"
Poor Jennie it was like 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 2" he asked
compassionately, while his large kind hand
glided down her hair with soft, cares sing
touch. II you are not feeling we'll slip down
and get Miranda Powers TO come out and
help yon. | guess I'd better anyway,
hadn't l."
Mrs. Graham mastered her emotion with
an effort
"Oh, no." she said. "There isn't any.
thing"
MIR. Graham hesitated he was not salts
fed with this explanation.
"There !" she said. Now do 90 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 a faint idea as TO
what the matter was, and very willing to do
as she bade him. lie felt considerably an
noyed that his wife could not see the ad-
vantage OF the proposed purchase that
would so materially add to their mutual
property. And then he began to wonder
what she was thinking so silently about
while she stood looking off toward the dis
tant hill. A little Jealousy crept in with
the thought. The owner of that fine man.
sion had once been formidable rival of
bis. There could have been no reason for
her choice but the one she so shyly confessed
to him in the soft twilight of summer even
ing ten years ago How proud and happy
he had felt lie vowed she would never
want for anything which he could procure.
But he had changed since. He had but
little to commence with. They had to prac-
tice such rigid economy, and to watch every
dollar so closely, to be able to meet the pay
ments 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 as he during the years
had been mostly in her domain. He began
to wish that he had treated her wishes more
respectfully at least. But then he could not
help looking over to where that forty acres
lay. What a choice piece of land it was
How long he had wanted it And now,
when it was almost within his grasp must
he let it go2 And even were he to yield to
Jennie's wishes now, would not she know
that he had done so reluctantly and against
his better judgment Aud during the after.
noon he thought the matter over and over.
"Powers," he called out, as that indi-
vidual 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"
"All right, she will be glad to come" was
the answer.
Harvest was over, and Mrs. Graham spoke
of discharging the girl. "You had better
keep her to help you" advised her husband.
"No," said Mrs. Graham; "when there is
no one but my own family, can do the
work easy enough alone. believe like
to work" added she, smiling; "at least
am always happiest when am busy
"How long has it been since you have
been home to your fathers on visit 2" he
asked abruptly.
Five years ago last June, when sister
Ellen was married"
How would you like to go out and see
the folks this fall 7"
| What glad light came into her face
and then faded, as she said, hesitatingly :
How can l goY'
Never mind about that. You have
earned playday, and none of my transac-
tions shalt hinder you from enjoying one.
You had better take the children with you |;
the folks will want to see them. We will
go to town tomorrow, and you can get what
things you need, and Miranda can stay and
help you get ready. You will want to get
off as soon as you can, for you will want to
make good long visit while you are
about it,"
But what will you do without us, if we
make too long stay 2"
"Don't mind about me. | can keep
bachelors hall" he added laughing
Two weeks after and Mrs. Graham had
gone, and Hiram Graham had the house all
to himself
After the lapse of five weeks he went to
the station to meet his wife and children.
They had enjoyed the most delightful visit,
aud all were glad and happy, and as they
drove homeward there was much TO be told,
and many inquiries to be made. AS they
ueared the house Mrs. Graham looked sud-
I
her face and rubbed his hands together in
quiet gle. What was that soft lustrous
gray, cleaning out from among the green
leaves Was she dreaming No; it was
the house with its green shutters and
portcoes.
"Why, Hiram Graham, what have you
been doing 7"
She looked again. And picket fence |
Aud the most charming little gate And .
graveled walk, and then she could not keep
the glad tears from coming.
"Come, Jennie" said Mr.. Graham, teas
ingly, although his own eyes moistened with
sympathetic happiness, don't feel so glad
about it. | may have worse things yet to
show you. There, how does that suit 2" he
asked, after they had entered the house,
pointing to the bay window. 81 didn't un-
derstand such things so | got workman
who did, you see; it is all complete, ready
for the plants And here" he said, leading
the way through the kitchen aud throwing
open the door, "is the woodhouse, and
there" opening door, sis pantry that
can't be beat anywhere. Aud this is some
thing you didut mention" he continued,
approaching a neat sink in the kitchen, and
laying hold Of the handle of cistern pump
that stood i'll one end, up gushed let Of
| ooAe Noecii WhiSh toiu VI boOu uu-
derneath. Look through the window and
you will see covered drain that carries
away all the waste water. | am going to fix
1t so you eau irrigate your flower garden
with it. You see didn't do anything with
these things" he said, after they had en-
tered the sitting-room, glancing deprecat-
ingly toward the dingy-colored papering, the
dllapidated furniture and thread-bare car
pet, 81 would rather trust that TO you. And
besides | found that there was so much real
enjoyment in it that | would be generous
aud leave some of the pleasure for you.
Here is the money that is left" he added,
presenting her goodiy roll of bills.
One pleasant day In autumn and all was
complete, and indeed, as Mr.. Graham said,
"it looked like bit of Eden"
do believe" she said, turning toward
her husband with a glad bright look in her
face-"l do believe that | am just the
happiest woman in the world"
He drew her gently to him. "Jennie,"
he said, "what were you thinking about
that morning | found you churning under
the locust tree and looking SO intently at the
old stone building GU the hill Z"
Her only answer was a merry laugh.
did you ever think so before I" Al
though he asked the question hesitatingly,
he looked very wistfully into her face for an
answer.
"No, you dear, simple darling, and |
never shall again" and looking up archly,
| "A I l..ft Al.