Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-04-14

voir of feeling and trickled down the dusky
check. / am not ashamed TO confess that tho
water stood in my own eyes as l huskily re-
piled that "it aodS good of them"
think never realized so fully before the
true worth of genuine, though humble gift,
and the sunshine of gratitude and JOY 1t will
shed upon the heart and life of an honest re-
eipient. There was more robust joy in that
heart of Bess's over that cradle and those
cups and saucers, than is felt by the majority
of richly lowered brides, any one of whose
presents would be a modest competence to
such as she.
"Ahl sir, we amt all as black as you'd
think from our faces. We're rough outside,
an not over-nice but we know how to feel,
an to help each other" Casting one hasty
glance at the household treasures, she once
more repaired to the little hut, and taking up
her hammer, commenced her labors again
with renewed vigor.
"Well, Mrs. Thompson
Now then, none O. that Call me Bess.
"Well then, Bess, l must be making my
way back"
"Won't you stay an'-you'll excuse me, sir,
for asking you-but won't you stay an have
a bite with us Bill 'ul be home directly.
All! there he is-an' he'll be glad to see you.
We can't offer you much but what we have,
you're welcome to-"
scarcely knew what to say to this propos-
al. 1 really wanted to leave Black Regis by
the first train; but was afraid that should
offend Bess if 1 refused to accept her invita-
tion. therefore determined to stay,
found Bill rough-and ready honest fell
low, like the general class of people inhabit-
ing such districts. But he had not the nat
ural sagacity and shrewdness of Bess, who
was literally his "better half" He knew this
too, and looked up to her as a superior be-
ing. During her temporary absence, he said
proudly: "She's a good un, is Bess, sir an
she's more in her head than good many as
thinks they're clever. Saved my life too sir.
All! she's good un, is Bess"
And l quite agreed with Bill.
III.
Other six months elapsed before 1 once
more set foot in Black Regis. Ny first i'm
pulse was to walk straight to the hut of Bess
but remembering that, on the occasion of my
former visit, had received much valuable
information respecting her from the land
lord of the Rising Sun, determined to pay
a passing visit to ascertain if anything un-
usual had occurred during my absence. In
reply to my query, "How is Bess 2" the face
of the landlord became at once sorrowful and
distressed, aud l then learned for the first
time that poor Bess was dead.
In disjointed fashion, managed to CLEAN
the following facts from my informant
Some months after my last visit, a great event
occurred in the Thompson household-a son
and heir was born to Bill. OF course there
was great rejoicing in Black Regis. Every
body in the place took an active interest in
the affair." and discussed the future prospects
of the little stranger over pipes and beer, and
at house corners, as keenly as though some
event of national importance had transpired
Bill was peculiarly excited; Bess was calmly
happy. Only one feeble complaint she ut
tered when informed that the child was a
boy 'I'd rather it had been gal ; men is
such foolsl"
After this she settled down to the inevita-
BILE with good grace, showing great affection
for the little life thrown upon her care. A
few days after the occurrence, Bill, who had
been staying at home to wait on his spouse,
went to his work again as usual, leaving Bess
with her child dependent upon the friendly
assistance of kindly neighbors. As the even
ing came, Bess grew perceptibly anxious
Could she have spoken her fears, she would
have said she was wondering if Bill would be
tempted by his mates to take drink on the
joyful occasion of the birth of his child. She
knew he was not hard to persuade when sur
rounded by friends, and besides it was a rec
ognized custom to drink the health of a child
neighbor who came in to attend her. but she
was terribly anxious nevertheless. The time
for his appearance passed, and the shades of
the autumn evening fell. Still he did not
come. Should she ask some one to GO and
inquire for him? No! she must not let them
think she doubted him. He would come all
right yet Something had happened at the
works to detain him. The suspense grew ter
rible. She could bear it no longer. Excite
ment gave her strength. Rising from her
bed, and leaving the infant asleep there, she
with some difficulty pulled on her clothes.
She was tottering feebly towards the door,
when her straining ear caught the sound of
muffied cry. She had heard that cry once be-
fore. 1t caused her heart to leap and the
blood to course like fire through her veins.
Strung up with the energy of a strong soul
reused by the cry of duty and danger. she
sprang to the door and rushed wildly out into
the chill darkness of the deepening night.
Straight to the dangerous pool of the canal
she staggered with peculiar instinct bred of
fear, and the remembrance of a former ad-
venture there. AS she reached the edge of
the bank, she saw a clenched hand disappear
ing beneath the surface of the mud-stirred
water, and needless of all but the one fact of
her husband drowning there, she plunged
wildly in and clutched the horny fingers with
"a desperate grasp, and with almost superhu-
man strength succeeded in dragging the un-
conscious Bill to the sloping edge of the ca
nal. Having accomplished this, her poor hu-
man nature could do no more. With fee
BILE cry for help, she sank down in the shall
low water exhausted and insensible. Hearing
her cry, two or three neighbors rushed to the
spot, and quickly carried the husband and
wife to their humble abode. With great
prompttude and care they attended TO poor
u 10 Nha IN oktap6 to
Bill.
For Bill it was too late. The strong man
had breathed his last. They dared not tell
Bess, for fear the shock should be too much
for her. Bills body was removed to neigh
boris house, while the doctor set about meas
ures to prevent serious consequences to the
devoted wife. But alas no medicine could
avail. The shock had been too severe. In a
few hours she was delirious and in raging
fever. The burden of her rawlings was Bill.
81 never see such fool as Bill He amt no
more sense than child Ha my little pet.
Ah 1 wish he'd been gal, men is such FOOLS
You promised me you'd swear of the drink,
au' here you go fooiin' around, an fallin' in-
to tho canal" Then suddenly changing, and
speaking to the doctor: 'Sh-h-h! Don't let
Bin know as I'm dying. He's such fool,
an 'ull carry on so, Tell him shall get bet
ter. But when l do go, make him promise to
take care O. tho kid. You will, won't you
1t amt no fault O. his, poor little soul. l
wish he'd a-been gal, though. But then he
amt; an maybe he won't be such fool as
Bill Make him swear off the drink when he
grows up; it makes men such fools. All
You'll put him in the little cradle? thought
should ha' rocked it myself but Bill can
do it instead. 1t l0ds good of 'em, wasn't it
though, to give us that? God bless 'em !"
Aud thus poor Bess rambled on. The strug-
gle was fierce and short with her. In forty
eight hours after the time she was carried all
wet and senseless to bed, her heart was still
ed forever Poor Bess
They buried Bill and her together in the
little churchyard, the greater part OF Black
Regis following the remains in procession,
aud shedding tears over the grave. some,
| ,l,f,,,, bad coma ont of THAR lives YleV felt