Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-05-25

ton box was passed In church she did not
see il, and when the collector called she was
always out of change; but meantime her
bank book grew more and more agreeable 10
look at, and she wrote for two lawyers, she
had drilled herself so faithfully to write
clearly and fast.
Then John was offered still another chance
to increase his income he could draw well,
that is, copy; and the engineer oil the
Thor Iron-worlxs was perfecting new in
vention some draughtsman was necessary
to duplicate his drawings of machinery, and
write out specifications and directions. John
could do this if he could be helped in his
writing. So Garry went up town with him
every morning, and did his work while he
worked for the engineer. This involved
cold meals with the exception of breakfast,
which she rose early to prepare, leaving her
dishes to wash at her return. And after an
evening of copying briefs, she was too tired
to make John the hot coffee, the bit OF milk
toast, or the dropped egg, he had been ac-
customed to. 1t was cheaper and easier 10
give him glass Of beer, bun, and pickle
But after that year John grew more pale
and thin his eyes troubled him, his back
began TO ache and Garry was too irritable
herself to pity or comfort him. 1t was Sun
day, and the people were coming home from
the second service. lie felt so giddy and
queer, that he turned out of the avenue,
down which he was walking, into side
street to avoid them; and as he passed an
open window in house on the corner, he
heard clear voice singing to an organ ac-
compartment that most beautiful of SEN
fences;
"Rest in the Lord oh, rest in the Lord
Wait patiently for him, and he shall give thee
thy hearts desire"
John leaned against the railing of the
garden for moment. crest In the Lord 7"
Why, he had almost forgotten him He had
worked so hard for his hearts desire,-no,
for Carry's that he had not had time to
rest, even in the fatherhood of his God. lie
thought of his boyhood of his good old
father so long unseen; of his Christian ex-
perience and hope 30 rusted and corroded;
of the treasure not laid up in heaven, and
his heart smote him. He found his way to
the doctors office as if he were walking in
dream his waxy yellow pallor told a sure
story to the experienced eye fastened upon
him but DIR. Blair made his examination
and listened to his patients story with for
bearing silence.
"You are not at all WE'LL" he said quietly,
as he laid Johns hand down. "You have
worked yourself out; a man can't do more
than he can, Mr.. Manners, and you have
tried to do it for years. You must have alb
solute rest, country air, plenty of fresh milk
and you must not worry"
"That is to say, doctor, | must give up
my work, and my prospects,-and every
thing F'-he meant Garry.
"a mans life consistent not in the abun-
dance of the things that he possesseth," said
the doctor solemnly. 81 tell you frankly,
Mr.. Manners, it is matter of life and death
with you"
John tainted. Dr. Blair rang the bell.
"Sam, fetch a spoonful of brandy, quick !
then send round the carriage"
And when John was able TO be taken
home, the doctor carried him there in his
coupe, and helped him up the stair. Garry
was shocked to see him. Whatever love her
small heart held for him awoke now, and
alarmed her. She put him on the sofa ten
derby enough, and made him a cup of tea.
But she thought the faintness and weakness
he still showed would pass away, for the
doctor had not time to stop and explain the
case, and John could not, in his deep love
for her, bring himself yet to tell her of his
sentence. He had loved her with all the
strength of his nature, but the love had
shown itself in deeds instead of words and
caresses, and she had entertained the angel
unaware "Greater love hath no man than
this, that man lay down his life for his
friends" and in his weak, human measure
John had indeed laid down his life without
being conscious of his utter sacrifice. He
lay there half awake, not thinking now of
Garry or his money-her money, rather.
Through his mind ran the perfect cadence,
&c al ;,,t ha I orID To, he Of fat al
disease, ignorant yet that it was fatal, the
straying child came back to his Father. Old
words thronged his mind old prayers stirred
his pale lips, the prodigal's humble utter
ance, the cry of the publican, the agonized
outcry of the sinking dsciple,-all these he
whispered, so softly no mortal ear could
hear. Then dream Of peace seemed to
| steal upon his WEAKNESS a sense of rest and
| relief relaxed all his tense nerves, and
soothed his whirling brain; he smiled and
put his hand out, cropping for One invisible,
and fell asleep. When Garry came to rouse
| him at bedtime, he was dead.
| Now she had plenty of money John had
insured his life heavily, and paid his premi-
ums so punctually and 80 long that even the
insurance companies dared not try to con-
test payment then they had both put their
savings into good Investments by advice,
and doubled their capital over and over.
Mrs John Manners was worth at least sixty
thousand dollars, owing to her husbands
death and the rise in stocks recently.
| But where was John? She knew now how
he had guarded and cherished and sweet
ened her poor, toiling, selfish life; how he
had given up home and peace and pleasure,
all that makes life sweet to man, in order
to satisfy her eager, wretched hunger fol
wealth she had made herself loveless and
friendless in her devotion to the muck-rake
and the crown over her head had been SC
long unseen, unvalued, it was at last taken
away. Where now was her omnipotent
money? 1t could not bring back John. She
had herself helped him surely and steadily
into his grave, for the doctor told her frankly
and sharply that he had worked himself tt
death. Sixty thousand pangs of remorst
and regret lay in her boarded dollars, ant
could not be evaded. She must take up he
desolate life, her irreparable loss, her tor
menting money, and carry them all out O
the city she could no longer endure, back t.
the home she now dreaded. One more aw
full lesson to the hungerer for this world
goods, that now, as of old, "there is tina
maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing p
/ 4. SaI.