Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-02-17

"Tm joe" replied the other, as he stagger-
ed to the door and left the house.
He walked on and on quite needless of the
mingled rain and snow, that blew in gusty
torrents from every point of the compass.
Other pedestrians might grumble bitterly, or
swear savagely, at finding themselves out in
such uncharitable weather. This man could
scarcely have told whether it was md-sum-
mer or mid-winter He didn't care. All
weathers were the same to him now. It was
late when he found himself on Westminster
Bridge and It was quite deserted. Deliber-
ately he climbed one of the centre buttresses
and stood outside the parapet, gazing into the
dark abyss beneath. Then ne took off the
coat which Reeves had given him few hours
before, folded it up tightly, and flung it back
on 10 the bridge. II wont waste that" be
nluttered "Some other poor un may pick it
up and be glad of it. That kind hearted chap
said as how l should one day meet Mary on
earth or in heaven. / know where to find
her now but it isn't here" He orouched
down, and then suddenly sprang forward.
The gloom swallowed him up. The waters
closed forever over him.
TX.
The coat experienced few rapid and un-
eventful changes of ownership, after this, in
the way of being bartered and sold tin the
perty of gentleman who never saw It, or
even knew of its existence. The gentleman
had large house at Noting Hall, employed
men servants and maid servants, owned horses
and carriages, used massive silver plate at his
six O'Clock dinner, and was treated with mark
ed respect by his bankers in Lombard Street.
He also had an extensive warehouse in the
city, where he carried on a highly remunera-
tive business as an exporter Of second hand
wearing apparel" He was a big merchant.
His books showed many thousand pounds a
year net profit. But his grandfather had
tramped the streets of London with three or
four hats on the top of his head, and sack
slung over his shoulder, as he sang out sole
clo' 2" at regular intervals, like the minute
gun at sea. There were people who could
reeolect it-strange that there always should
be people whose memories are SO terribly dis
tinct upon any subject we most particularly
wish to relegate to oblivion. The gentleman
of Noting Hill disliked any reference to the
founder of the firm" He felt strangely
ashamed of his ancestor dead and gone.
There is a mighty difference, thought he be-
tween walking about to pick up a few shabby
garments here and there, and buying them
wholesale by hundreds and thousands to be
packed in heavy bales, marked and number
ed as per margin, and shipped to the utter
AASoN SANo u eAO SoANh
Y.
We are now going across the sea, on the
lightning wings of fancy. We want to look
up some old friends of ours and find out how
they are getting on. 1t will be recollected
that Mark Roper with his wife Pattie and
their baby, emigrated to Australia, there TO
court that better fortune which had persis-
tently refused to smile upon them in the land
of their birth. Three years have passed since
they first set foot upon the shores of the new
country, with a capital consisting of a very
small amount of money and a very large
amount of pluck. The latter has stood them
in good stead, as it will anybody who only
makes up his mind to rely upon it steadily.
Pluck is one of the best substitutes for more
substantial property that a man can possess.
Mark found it so. At first, he had a very
rough, uphill battle to fight. circumstances
lee him have one or two powerful slaps
''straight from the shoulder" just to try what
metal he was made of. He always gave forth
the true ring, and came up smiling. Then
circumstances turned round in friendly man
ner, patted him spprovingly upon the back,
and said you'll do !" And he did do, as
well as he could wish, and far better than be
expected. He has thrown over his original
trade long ago. and is part owner of a small
sheep-run "up-country." His home--sur-
rounded by large and well-cultivated garden
lis a cottage built of logs and corrugated
zinc, rather rough to look at outside, but ex-
ceedingly bright and cosey, if we give peep
at the interior, as we shall take the liberty of
doing.
Pattie is there, busily preparing a supper
of unusual abundance. She expects her hus-
band home tonight, after an absence of six
days. He has been to Melbourne, where he
will endeavor to pick up two or three steady
young fellows to work on the run" as their
stock is increasing and more help is required.
Very different does the young wife look now,
compared with when we saw her stretched
upon the pallet in Cribble Street. Mile End,
slipping the parish Cruel She had changed
into a comely, blooming woman, with glow
of health and contentment upon her face most
pleasant to behold. "Baby" Pattie sits on
high chair at the table, watching her mothers
culinary operations with great intentness and
trying to dip her little fingers into everything
within her reach. In the corner is a cradle,
where pretty boy of twelve months reposes
quietly, with his blue eyes wide open, staring
at the ceiling, and exhibiting perfectly phil
osophic indifference to the rattle of plates,
pots, and pans, mingled with the incessant
chatter of his sister.
By and by the wife's attentive ear caught
the sound of wheels. She few to the door,
and saw a wagon drawn by pair of strong
horses, rapidly approaching. Directly she
appeared, the man who was driving gave the
reins in charge of another, leaped to the
ground, and ran to meet her. 1t was Mark
Roper. he caught her in his arms and kissed
her. To see this happy pair, you would have
thought they had been parted for years in
stead of for days. They loved each other as
fervently as ever.
When the wagon drew up near the door,
Mark introduced the two young men he had
engaged at Melbourne; and then they pro-
ceeded to unpack and carry into the dwelling
a number of tools, implements, bundles and
parcels-the last named containing household
comforts and necessaries, such as people sup
ply themselves with in quantities, when they
live nearly two hundred miles away from the
principal town, to which they can only pay
very occasional visits. After a gigantic sup
per had been disposedof, the two new ''helps,"
weary with their long journey, retired to rest
and Mark and his wife settled themselves
down for a quiet chat upon affairs in general,
particularly their own.
"What lot of clothes you have brought !"
said Pattie, as she examined motley heap of
garments before her.
"Yes," observed Mark ''We shall want
them ALL The fresh hands have plenty of
rough work before them, and will wear them
out soon enough, l warrant"
"Here is a great ugly heavy coat Whom do
you intend this for ?"
'Oh, that-they threw it in cheap so
took it, 1t will serve somebody a turn in the
rainy season."
"The lining wants coming out it is all 60
ing to pieces" she remarked taking up her
scissors and shipping away at some loose rags.
"Hullo What's this 2"
"what's what ?" inquired Mark, over the
taukard he was lifting to his lips,
''This There is another lining underneath,
and something stitched inside it,"
"Trip it open, then, my dear"
No sooner said than done. In another mo-
ment Pattie drew forth thin oil-skin envelope
and laid it on the table.
whats in that, wonder ?" cried Mark,
holding it up to the light Paper of some
kind, can see. Slit it open gently with a
knife, girl. Don't tear anything. Be care