Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-06-14
"a great deal, wife! I've got thu

"a great deal, wife! I've got the
SACK
Certainly as he spoke the face he loved
so well became downcast. Mary cast q
frightened glance toward the little bundle
by her side, but the next instant she re.
gained her confidence ami said cheerful.
iy,-
Never mind, you are sure to get on
somewhere else. Thou art first. class
hand Steve, there are plenty more works
in this big town besides Hanworth's.
Have any more got turned offP Is work
alackerP"
NO; its better. and I'm the only one
out"
Thou the only one; tell me all about it.
ear Steve"
And then he related his story. and as he
spoke his wife's face rev as quiet and as
settled rs his own, and when he concluded
with the remarl... "It's very hard on you
and the little lass Mary hut what could
doP' She Answered, "Nothing but what
thou hast done. My Steve would have to
grow a different man from what he is
tse5 'tsiso1-5a he d put us above his duty to God.
Never fear for US, way will be made |;
kR1el down and pray bit. ladl
And when in few low murmured,
bezrtfelt sentences her husband had done
&usSshe fell quietly asleepholding his hand
u hers. Afraid to disturb her, he sat
still thinking of many things, and his
thoughts were not sad, for now the first
shock of losing his work at such critical
time was past, he felt convinced that he
should have little difficulty in getting
another place He knew himself to be a
first-rate workman, and that his character
as steady and reliable man stood high
and was pretty we'll known amongst
those to whom on Monday he must apply
for employment, and he thought with
some satisfaction on the fact that from
his apprenticeship he had always remained
at Hanworth's. "Yes, never was chap
for running about. I've never worked
anywhere else, and though it's hard to be
turned out of the old place, being so long
there will help me to new one" So he
sat quietly resting till the gathering twi-
light rendered all things indistinct, and
the titful glow Of the fire threw long,
fantastic shadows on the ceiling Of the
little chamber.
A quiet, restful Sabbath followed, and
on Monday morning very early, with a
hopeful, cheerful heart, Stephen sailed
forth TO seek new employment.
CHAPTER II.
Mr.. Hanworth usually-usualIy-as a
respectable custom-attended church on
Sunday morning. There was feeling of
satisfaction in accompanying his elegant
wife and we'll dressed children there. He
did not think much why he did 60, nor
when he arrived at church did he think
about worship or praise. He stood up and
sat down in the right places-he did not
kneel, Of course; so far as the neighbors
saw he was sufficiently devout, but if some
unknown power had obliged Mr.. dan
worth to reveal himself to public gaze,
his human fellow-worshipers as well as
the "cloud of witnesses" would have
known the church time was a time Of busy
business-a quiet time for speculation,
investment, invention, calculation and
plans, anything but devotion to this seem
ingly correctly religious man.
Mr.. llsnworth was ''put OUT more than
he liked TO own by Stephens resolute
bearing and the little incident in bis count
ing house and tho steadfast look in his
workman's eyes kept recurring with dlsa-
greeable distinctness to his mental vision
Coming out of church he met as he fire.
quently did. another iron master; living
In the same direction they usually walked
home together, talking various little bust.
noss matters over. To-day Mr.. liahwortt
mentioned Stephens obstinacy.
"Just shows how disobliging those fel
lows can be; man and boy he's worked
about the place twenty y ais, Detestabe
lmpudence! he's only one of a class
Combination is our only remedy. Are yor
cnming t > the masters meeting c'norrow
yes, OF course. You'll mention this little
circumstance?
mo, think not; don't want to iniurt
the fellow"
Then shall. Fine day isn't it9 good
bye"
The next day the "little circumstance
was mentioned. and called forth many in
dignant conemptuous commenIs. Nearl,
ali the gentlemen present were self-mad'
men. And yet amongst no set of aristo
cratic land owners could more determined
counsels of class (lteir class, that is,) su
premacy be heard. One benevolent ole
man did dare certainly to remark this die
not seem to him case of insubordination
but OF conscience, and that every man ha,
n right to his Sabbath, but this gentleman
was treated with scant attention.
| And there the matter was dropped bu
not ended as Stephen found to his cost the
next day.
All Monday Stephen went from foun
dry to foundry but trade had been dul
and was Just beginning to revive, no new
workmen we're required, and he met will
refusals at all save one place; there h,
was told by foreman who understood
his own particular branch was wanted
but the master was engaged out at
meeting, and he might call the next day
When he did call he found lie was no
wanted.
So a bitter time of trial began; 70
three long weeks Stephen wandere,
about constantly asking for work. Whel
he had penetrated into every workshop
and foundry-yard in the vast town wher
he had been born and lived, and mot In
variably with disappointment, he begal
| Win HIS WIG huNlCc W tIdVel tuIOuSl
the neighboring smaller towns.
Frequently he walked very long dis
tances on vague rumors of employment
which always turned out 10 be false, 70
the iron trade, which was beginning t
revive in the great town. was still stag
nant in the outlying districts. Constan
refusals crushed even his brave and trust
full spirit and he went now at the end of
fortnight. on his daily search with s
despondent an air that misfortune seeme
to accompany him and cling naturally t
his side.
Stephen tried each evening as he neare
his house to put on the cheerful air he di
not feel, and enter his homo briskly, bu
one look at Mary's anxious face and larg
questioning eyes, and all his sham brigh
ness vanished.
The couple had only been able, on accour
Of the long bad times to make but yer
little provision against rainy day,
sick sister--a widsw-had needed an
received help to the utmost of their powe
and manyunusual expenses had come to b
paid during last month, so the little say
ings had dwindled rapidly away, and
was with a feeling akin to despair thf
Stephen OH Monday In this the third weel
was obliged to go to the savings. bank an