Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-06-15

Several weeks transpired, during which
the neighbors called frequently upon Mrs.
Fisher, and some few ventured upon word
of coincidence, which she repressed by sim
ply saying:
"My good man is either sick or got bee
in his head, which / can't make out, so we
won't talk about it,"
In the meanwhile, John, aided by Susan,
grew more self-assured, and now and then
threw out hints about the Greeley woodlot,
valuable piece of land sloping down to
beautiful brook, clear as crystal, within
which many speckled trout hid itself under
the fantastic roots of the overhanging trees.
1t was the spot of all others for rural
church or school-house, and it was well
known that the present owner had contem-
plated donating it to one or other of these
purposes. Susan, who was not deficient in
imagination, declared it was Just the spot for
pretty cottage, with a garden sloping to
| the brook.
| The autumn was now come, with its clear,
frosty October days so lovely in that north
ern climate, and John was busy housing
apples, and getting in the crops that ripen
late. Susan, the brisk housekeeper, was on the
alert drying apples and spinning flax, count
ing the eggs and weighing out butter and
cheese for the market. Nothing is more
CHEEKY than the harvest time of a good farm
| house.
A bright fire of beech-wood famed crack
ling up the great chimney, and the red
bricks of the hearth were as free from stain
as soap and water could make them. Mr.
Fisher sat in his big armchair twirling his
thumbs, while his wife piled her knitting
needles at his side Susan was making her
self new gown, her mouth puokered in
! Inf Ia Vnhp in ha hao
room, his chair tilted upon two legs, and
his head against the wall, perfect picture
of boorish, sulen discomfort at length he
broke out with:
81 don't see, father, what you want TO
give the Greeley woodlot TO the town for"
"Well, John, we've been prosperous and
are above board, so TO say, and it's moth
| ing more than right that we should do some
thing for them that'u come after us-for
posterity"
"Posterity never did anything for u.s."
muttered John.
Mr.. Fisher twirled his thumbs with a
comical smile, and replied
"True, John, and yet ! can't help think
ing of the third and fourth generation with
a sort of love, Ell 2"
81 don't care pinch of snuff for poster
ity. Charity ought to begin at home" an
swered John.
$50 you want that lot, John, do you ?"
said his father, musingly. ain that case,
John, | may as we'll trust you TO help on
education, and make yourself good name
in your native town. I'll give you a fair
chance I'm sure"
Mrs. Fisher laid down her knitting with a
look of despair, and Susan gave the fire a
vigorous punch that sent the flames roaring
up the big chimney.
"Give me the deed, John; it may as well
be included altogether"
Pen, ink, and paper were spread on the
little round table, and Mr. Fisher drew his
!, chair in close proximity to the fire. Open
!, ing the deed, he read, as he wrote on the
face of the document.
"And give in furtherance OF the above
considerations the piece Of land, also, known
as the Greeley woodlot, to have and TO hold
by him and his heirs forever" etc.
John leaned against the chimney-side
while his father held the document high up
and read aloud.
Does that suit, my son ?" he asked.
EXACTLY" answered both John and Su.
san in the same breath.
Mr. Fisher leaned forward trine, and
. dropped the deed into the hottest of the
flame saying, in a low voice;
"The mares mine now, John"
Susan sprang forward TO rescue the pre-
cious document, but she burned her hands
to no purpose, while John turned white with
rage. Mrs. Fisher was a discreet woman
and she clicked her needles in silence. Sew
: eral minutes INTERVIEWED during which the
tick of the old clock, the chirp of the
cricket, and the cracking Of the beech WOOD
sounded preternaturally loud. At length
: MIR. Fisher spoke slowly and solemnly
John, hope you are not so bad as you
! would seem to be, but you love yourself anc
l money better than truth, kindness, or JUS
tice and you've got a wife more than YOU
: equal in evil-doing. | wanted to try you
: both. I've done SO, and you see how il
turned out. ] will give you better star
' than had when began life. I'll give you
. the deed of the little farm below the ledg,
y where your mother and | passed many
, happy day. You need not cry, Susan your,
| ri nir lint oL..tl III