Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-03-07
The table was laid in the back parlor.

pleasant sight to the tired man.
Miriam sat down to the table, busy
ing herself in turning the tea, and all
the time talking in light, happy tone
of the occurrences of the day. Although
her husband joined cheerfully in the
conversation, it panied him to see her
SO gay, for he feared she little under
stood how many pleasures must be de-
MED her in their altered circumstances.
Tea over. she rose smilingly-
"Here, John, take baby"
"Why don't you ring for Susan %
clear the table ?I want to talk to you.
"Wait little while."
So huttering about. she carried out
the tea things. restored the room to or
der, and then left them together.
She was gone some time. Baby had
played with papa almost enough, and
her blue eyes looked very sleepy, while
the little rosy mouth quivered ominous-
ly before mamma came in.
"Now. give me baby; poor child,
how sleepy she is Kiss papa good
night, little pet-there, now for nice
Sleep"
She was undressing the child. Mr..
Flemming sat in the shadow and
watched the process-watched her while
she folded by the little things, and TAX
ing Nelly in her arms leaned back in
her chair, singing sweetly and soothing
Goodnight, my darling.
Mothers sweet Lowell
Hush thee. baby DEAR" etc. etc.
All, it reminded him of his own moth
er The good, patient, loving mother
that watched his infancy; who had
been so true to him through all the
years of bis restless and not too steady
youth to whom he owed all the strength
of principle and uprlghtness of his ma
ture as well as the tenderness that be-
comes man towards those dependent
on his kindness.
The good mother-how she would
have sorrowed over his present loss, but
how she would have smiled at his de-
spondency How all her teachings rose
before him as he heard the dear old
nursery song sung to his child.
At last Nelly fell asleep, and was laid
gently down upon her little bed. while
the mother fingered above her child,
smoothing the blanket over the little
form, and gazing down on the rosy face
with unspeakable tenderness of eye and
lip; then. leaving kiss upon one
dimpled hand, she came to her husband.
"Now, John, tell me all. What are
your plans ?''
When it was all PLAIN to her, when
he told her how everything must 60 to
his creditors, and he had as yet no way
open for support, he feared to see her
troubled; but oh, woman's heart is
strong and fearless where she loves
She only glanced at ber child. with
hopeful smile, and said nothing.
'.But do not fear Ny brave wife,
you cannot realize such change"
"Why should fear? | have you, my
husband we are both young and we'll ;
we shall not suffer"
"But, Miriam, have you thought how
simply We must live? How hard your
duties must be, poor little wife p
"Never fear for me. See, | have
sent Susan and Mary away, and l got
tea and did the dishes, and my hands
are not tired
"Why Miriam !''
r'And could not ring for Susan when
you asked me to. I'll be Susan, now.
Will / suit you p Here she dropped a
low courtesy, with an expression of al
most childish delight at his wonder.
Well, in few days the house was
sold, and John Flemming took his wife
away 'down town" to board in Scotch
family of no pretention, but of respecta-
bility and real kindness of heart One
little room only was theirs. but it was
pleasant not so much for the prospect
from the two large windows. for that
was only limited one of brick build
ings and crowded streets, but for the
sunshine that shown within. Two or
three pictures hung on the wall, pres
ents made in the early days of their
marriage one of them landscape, the
others little children with their lovely
faces. On a "what-not" 10 corner
stand their books, and various little or
naments lie scattered among them. On
the mantel. over the CRATE. are a few
shells, and on the dressing-bureau few
china bottles. The carpet is bright in
color and cleanliness the bed in on,
corner is spread with white; white cur
tains drape the windows; a sweet-facee
presided over all, and a baby. Ar,
these not enough to brighten such ;
room %
John found situation as book-keep
er, with very small salary, tbs true
but, as Miriam says, This panic viii
be over soon then he can do better"
Many of Miriam's old friends profes
tc feel the profoundest pity for her ''ter