Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-06-26
''Put it on the table, Bridget there

overfowing with good spirits, which,
however, seemed to dimish percepti-
bly, as the slim dishes one after an
other put in an appearance.
''Seems to me Bridget is getting to
the end of her resources, or else it's
washing day all the week." observed
Charlie.
Its not Bridget's fault, Charlie.
The butchers bill is already so large
that | dislike to add to it,
"Ohl" says Charlie sententiously.
The meat for next days dinner
appeared promptly. After week
of i'll cooked meals and general lacks
in all departments which had hither
to seemed to take care of themselves.
Mr.. Barnard came to the conclusion
that there must have been a good
deal of thinking done by somebody
formerly; for things had never be-
fore reached this extreme chaotic
stage. Then there began to dawn
upon the vision of this wise man a
possible vista of bad dinners, ILL
dressed children, and general thrift
lessness and shiftlessness which even
money alone would not eliminate.
In this condition of mind he went to
the office one morning, and in taking
some letters from his pocket, there
fell out scrap of paper in his wife's
writing. 1t was the estimate of ex-
penses she had given him, and which
he had not even thought worth while
to look at. He set himself about it
now, and proceeded to give himself
up to some thinking, the result of
which came out that evening after he
had taken his second cup of tea.
The fact of it is, Min, I've been
looking at your estimate, and / think
| can afford to give you sixty dollars
month if you'll just set the house
going again. It's pretty hard on a
fellow to have things at skies and
sevens; and when you want things
yourself YOU paused a moment
--'must say SO" he finally concluded.
Minnie colored and smiled as she
thanked him, but, nevertheless, made
a mental resolution.
"And you must not mind all the
stupid things I say"
This for a general acknowledge
ment of past delinquencies and an
implied promise for future reforma-
ton, let US hope.
Then he set himself to wondering,
after he went out, if she really did
mind, after all. But on his return
from the club he called into Smith
She was in greater need Of tender,
loving sympathy and some new Win
ter fiannels. As for Minnie, she felt
that she had gained a point, and
decided one, and she was willing to
wait for the rest.
Every day after this found her at
desk an hour or two, as she could |
snatch time from the baby and the
eyerpressing cares and duties; but
day by day her step grew lighter and
her face brighter. At last she finish
ed her first story, and feared when
she put it into the mail that she was
consigning it to Oblivion. But one
day a thin letter was brought to her
which she opened with trembling fin
gers, fearing disappointment. She
had prepared herself for that, how
ever, and was spared it, for she
found a note of acceptance. She
felt richer than millionaire. This
one touch of encouragement made
her strong for what she knew would
he a life of toll and effort, yielding
many disappointments, perhaps but
still holding out rich reward in her
own intellectual growth, if nothing
more.
One morning she found with lit
tie Jewel box on her dressing table a
tiny note, in which was folded BILL
She had almost forgotten it was her
birthday. 81 am afraid ! have been
very careless, darling" the note ran.
81 have trusted too much to youl
3 taking care of yourself. Hencefortf
YOU are to have personal allowance
and | wish I could afford to make i
one hundred dollars month. L
u Here she turned to find herself clasp
y ed in her husbands arms.
It .sIts too late" she said laughing
n lv. through her tears, and she CAV
i him her letter.
Il "Why, Minnie, when did you d
d this?"
lie sob, at odd moments. I've con
/ cluded I'd rather write than dar
D stockings"
/ Then followed long loving tall
" not unlike the early days of love
~ glad spring time.
p Everybody remarked after thu
= how much younger and prettier an
e brighter Mrs. Barnard looked, an
IL wondered how she always had sue
n' pretty things and yet was alway
We giving away so much; Minnie heaI
d the echo of the whisper, and smile'
re but held her peace She found L
o' deed the road to literature storm
us and thorny. and often weary eve
"a unto despair. But the double motl'
ne of need for expression and the desl
III to be little, even little indepen
- ent was a sufficient spur to her ami
en tion. She found that she need II