Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-02-18
household, and that, too, under his sharp

household, and that, too, under his sharp
scrutiny
At last he said
"If Mette proves TO be of the same mind
| with regard to you as you declare yourself to
be about her, l will-not say nay 10 the
marriage. But you will do well to take to
my advice and hold the purse-strings a triAe
tighter"
$50 as not to reach the goal you so kindly
predicted" interpolated Jens "Thank you
I'll try hard to disappoint you in that partic-
ular When may / see Mette ?"
Call tomorrow, say about this time, and
| I'll arrange an interview-unless the child
says nay to your proposal"
Jens's face heightened visbly. He had
hoped to have one more glimpse Of the sweet
shy face which had 80 enchanted him on this
very morning but thankful at having gain
ed Knuds conditional promise, he wisely
forebore to tarry and press for a sight OF his
lady love sooner than the specified time-so
he went his way.
That night his dreams proved to be
strange mixture of pleasure and Of pain.
Nettes blooming face smiled at him for a
moment then was lost amid a crowd Of older,
pallid, sorrow-marked yisages, clad in the
high crowned caps and sad-hued garments
which composed the costume Of those unfort-
unates who had been forced by poverty to
accept the tardy and cold charity meted out
to their class by the city government. SO,
| when he sought the presence of her he loved,
upon the following day, it was with strange
undercurrent Of sympathy for his fellow-be-
| ings, which was a new element in his pros
porous, easy. going life.
Old Knud's words had opened up train
Of thought to his mind which was destined
TO bear fruit at no distant day.
But he was too wise to broach it until he
had gained the treasure he coveted. Then,
when Mette was his wife--'to have and to
hold for richer and poorer" all the days of
his life-he said TO her:
Hast ever thought, my Mette, what a sad
thing it would be to have neither home nor
friends, and to be poor and dependent upon
charity for the very bread which is to sustain
| life ?"
Mette's round eyes grew wide with surprise
at hearing such words from the lips of her
husband-he who was the soul of gayety and
fun-whose laugh ever rang out the merriest
among his companions, and whose talk usu-
ally abounded in jests and witticisms.
Jens drew her pretty face towards him and
kissed her rosy lips. ''Do not look so start
led my own" he continued, smilingly. 81
am not about to say anything to sadden you.
But the truth is, when l asked your father
for gift OF this little hand, he said some
thing which put new ideas into my head.
What do you think il was? Why that was
a ft subject for an almshouse because of my
extravagance. Can it be that all Of those un-
fortunates who are now reduced TO such PEN
ury as to depend upon others for q living
have been reared in afiiuence, and have been
brought to their present state by being free
handed and liberal with their means 2"
Mette looked troubled, but said nothing.
''lf So" he went on, "how sad life it
must be-from luxury to stint Mette, darl-
ing, how would it please you to have me
erect a nice home for the poor, and see that
il is furnished comfortably and stocked with
good wholesome provisions We are so hap
py ourselves; let us try to make others share
in it."
Mette, though wife. was in years but a
child and she had not put aside small things
SO she clapped her hands joyously.
That will be Just lovely!" she exclaimed
and will visit the old people for such sort
are always old, and pour out their tea and
coffee with my own hands"
Yes" said Jens, delighted at her inno-
cent enthusiasm, land twice in the year we
will make preparations for grand feast, and
will have the best musicians in the city to
play for us, and the inmates of the homes We
are to build shall be our guests"
So Miser Knud's bitter words had an inhu-
ence of which he little dreamed when he ut
tered them, for Jens carried out his plan TO
the letter. A happy day it must have been
TO the world-buffeted souls who found q home
within the hospitable walls of the comforta-
ble alms-house erected by Jens Bang, and
patronized by his girl-wife. How their wrink-
led faces must have beamed at sight Of her
fresh young loveliness, and at the sound Of
her tender voice addressing them in words of
sympathy 1t would be subject worthy the
pencil of an artist.
NoTE.-A Danish 4 pothek combines the aceommo-
dations OF an inn with that Of dsrensary Of drugs
and medicines.