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



into Casco Bay in the state of Maine. HI
had always been considered man of con
summate shrewdness but honest withal
who could see further into milestone thar
most Of the neighbors and it became a sur
prise TO them when he began TO talk of max
ing over his estate to his son John, with tn,
condition that said John should support
himself and wife to the end of their days
In this he was bitterly opposed by his wife
Debby, who had seen the property accumu
lating under the joint eyes of husband and
wife, and being no less discreet and judicious
than Jonathan himself, could see no reason
for any change, the more because they were
not old, and had a prospect of many years
before them.
"Maroy on us, Jonathan, you amt an old
man nor | an old woman to be laid upon the
shelf with nothing to do"
Il know that, Debby. That old fellow
that we read about in books, who lived a
hundred and fifty years, was not younger at
our time of life than we are you remember
the reason he gave for his CHEEKY age 2"
Eyes, yes, Jonathan, oil without and honey
within, which has not been our way of life,
the goodness knows"
"Now, there you are at fault, wife. To
be sure, we may not have literally anointed
the flesh nor lived upon honey, but the in
ternal meaning of the saying we have OBJ
served. We have had the oil of gladness,
the oil OF kindness for all in the circle of
our influence and our hearts have been as
as sweet and as wholesome as honey and
he chucked her under the chin with the air
of an old fellow who has said good thing.
81 give you warning, Jonathan dear, you
are going to bring trouble upon us. Don't
you remember old Lear in the play, how he
gave all to his two darters, and what came
oil 1t u
Yes, yes, wife, but that was In the time
OF heathendom, not In these Christian days,
when we are bound to honor our parents and
deal Justly"
-" Nonsense You know what John is and
know what susan Is 'twont be long before
you and will be crowded out of house and
home" and she left the room to escape
sarah, who at this moment entered.
she went right up to Mr. Fisher and, lay
ing her hand on his shoulder, said
"Poor father l am sure you will be
happier when you are rid of all this care. l
should think mother would see how much
better 1t would be for you both"
Jonathan looked at her face with an ex-
preston that might have been weak and
might have been cunning. lie drew his
daughter low down into the chair vacated by
his wife, and leaned his own head against
his hlgh-backed chair, while he twirled his
two thumbs thoughtfully.
You need not think to blame your
mother-in-law, Susan, in any way to me-"
She laid down her head and SMILED little,
and then said
She is mighty mad because you want to
DO something Tor us. | hope ] shall consult
johns feelings better"
The house and all in it is hers, Susan |;
all the linen and blankets made, wove and
spun by her own hands. She has been like
the woman OF the Bible, diligent with her
hands and now she is naturally unwilling to
see it all go out of them"
But she is growing old, very old, and in
firm, both in mind and body, and needs to
be nursed and taken care of, instead of hay
ing an the care on her shoulders"
There showed out the cloven foot" cried
Debby, from the doorway. al am no more
infirm in body than you are, and as to mind,
you hadn't much to begin with" Susan
sighed heavily.
You see how it is, father, people never
know when they are losing their faculties"
Yes, susan. The story OF the old bishop
who was removed for the excellence of his
homilies, and who besought his friend to
ooh hini wheu Ineie was any IalllnB OIL In
these, is Just to the point, wife,"
susan fingered open-mouthed and open
eyed, while Debby muttered:
wen, what did he do Z"
In process OF time the good bishop had
stroke OF apoplexy from which he barely
escaped with MS lie, but with mind hope
iessly shattered. Upon resuming his re-
hgious office, he prepared his sermon, and,
as was his habit, read it to his friend.
NOW, SAID the latter to himself, the time
mas come Tor me to redeem the promise
MADE, that l. would tell him like true
iriend wnen perceived his faculties on the
decline.
NAT is tne once OF true friend, how
ever painful, smirked Susan, interrupting
MIR. Fisher.
Wen, what came OF 1t = sobbed Debby.
Inc homliy was so poor, so lncoherent,
and SO weak, that twould be fatal to
the reputation OF the bishop to preach it;
so, AFTER some delay and many hens and
mans OF voice, he told his friend just how it
was.
No doubt he was grateful at being told
the truth, however painful to hear" inter
posed Susan, rolling up her eyes in a pious
way.
Not bit OF it. lie was mad, unless
hopeless 1901, SAID DeDDy.
"You shall hear" resumed Mr.. Fisher.
"The bishop eyed his friend with great dis
gust, grew red in the face, and at length
screamed out, You are fool. never
wrote better sermon in my life T" and Mr..
Fisher chuckled with laughter, while Susan
stuck her apron in her mouth and ran laugh
ing out OF the room.
Not so Mrs. Fisher she had not only a
strong affection for her "good man " but
great respect also, and she now looked him
in the face with disconnected doubtful air,
saying
"You play into the hands of Susan
father; don't know what has come over
you. You don't seem to have any pride left"
Mr.. Fisher twisted his thumbs, and at
length replied
Il am beginning to think that you and
are not up to the times, wife perhaps we
are living too long, and ought to make way
for younger people,
"Speak and think for yourself, dear, and
not for me. If am to be robbed of what is
mine and by my own child, will not STAY
to see it. | am not too old for many a
hard years work"
I'VE are too worldly, too worldly, wife,
and have laid up for the flesh in neglect Of
the durable riches and righteousness to
come"
"Speak for yourself, Jonathan have
lived godly life, and if | am to lose all
that has come TO us by hard work I'll not
xrha.. Nunr oil. "a