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

really saved the mans life at the risk of her
own, and only succeeded in crawling TO the
edge of the canal after great difficulty, hold
ing the senseless Bill in her powerful arms
How she came to be near him when he fell
in, she never quite clearly explained. "She
was Just out for an airing, that was all, when
she heard him holler," she had said when
questioned upon the subject. But 1 am in
clined to think there we're other and more
sufficient reasons than this, as the sequel will
perhaps show.
Bill declared he owed his life to Bess that
she was a brave lass, and he would do any
thing she liked for her if she would only ask
him.
Practical Bess, having the cause of his mis-
hap clearly in mind, returned simply 'Then
give up drinking for three months"
81 will. II l don't, blow mel" emphatical-
ly answered Bill, Those who are not ac-
quainted with the daily life ofsuch men as Bill
in such place as Black Regis, will not be
able, fear, TO appreciate the sacrifice he was
making in promising to abstain from intoxi-
eating liquors for three months But | am
inclined to think in this matter also that 9TH
er considerations than respect and gratitude
influenced Bills decision. We shall sec.
H.
Twelve months later was in Black Regis
again. l could discern no change in the
place, save perhaps that the air seemed even
more murky, and the fumes more nauseous
than ever. There were the same struggling
rows of huts, and l could hear the same cease
less tap, tap tap, tap! of the hammers. At
the Rising Sun l made inquiries respecting
Bess, and was somewhat amused, but only
partly surprised, to find that she was. married
to Bill Thomson Bill true to his promise,
had abstained from drink for the specified
three months, and, at the expiration of that
time, had paid special visit to the hut of
Bess to inform her of the fact She was busy
with her work as Bill strolled in, and to his
humble Evening, Bess!" characteristically
replied: Nov then, what are you after
now? Don't come foolin' round, for l amt
no time to talk"
We'll, Bess, apologetically responded Bill,
I've kept my promise"
"What promise Z" queried Bess, striking
the bar of iron at the same time, and causing
n fan shower of sparks to fly round the hut.
"Why, about the drink It's three months
to-day since promised as I wouldn't have
any more, au' 1 amt neither"
WELL do you feel worse for it Z"
II feel good sight better, an I've saved
bit o coin too. l shouldn't ha' done it but for
you, Bess an l come to see if you'll go
shares in it. It's as much yours as mine, you
sec, for if it hadn't been for you, 1 should
mt"
"Here, stow it," interrupted matter.of-
fact Bess. "What d you take me for Think
/ want your coin never see such a fool in
all my life."
won't you have it, then2'
Have it ? No! What I'D l have it for /?
'Tain't mine"
well then, Bess, tell you what I'll do,
said the desperate Bill "Tl make a bargain
with you. I'll promise to be teetotal for an
other three months, if you'll promise to be
my wife at the end of en-"
Bess was silent. This honest proposal was
perhaps not quite unexpected but honest
Bess knew not how to meet it. She replied ::
II never see such fools as some men is !" but
it is said she stealthily wiped tear from her
bright brown eyes, and gulped down a lump
that rose in her throat.
"Come, Bess, what d. you say ?" coaxingly
inquired anxious Bill.
'What do say Why, that l never see
such fool. What on earth d. you want to
throw yourself away on gool-for- nothing
like me for? l amt no mortal use only to
myself an what's the use O. you tying a tin
can like me to your tail to scamper through
the world wi ? or course, I'd sooner go wi
You nor anybody else-allays thought so-but
then ! never thought as you'd ask me-"
Then it's bargain ?" asked Bill.
"Well, l might do worse. But mind you,
not word to anybody about it, or over you
go. l amt a-goin' TO have folks a-talkin'
about me-"
"Not word, Bess Bless you, old gal"
Three months passed away, and all prepa-
rations having been secretly made, Bess and
Bill were quietly married, only two particular
friends being informed Of the affair before it
came of, and they only on the very morning
of the ceremony.
Tbara xpac syraat avoifapnapt ~ RIaok Raoig
when the marriage was made public, and all
determined on giving some testimony of their
good will. A private subscription list was
| opened at once, and as Bess had kept her
| love affair such a secret from them, they
thought it only fair that they should keep
their intentions secret from her. There was
something rudely noble about this arrange
ment When the money had been collected,
the difficulty of providing a suitable present
arose. What could they give her? Some one
| suggested giving her the money, and allow
ing her to spend it as she thought proper
But this was Indignantly negatived. They
knew Bess too well to think she would accept
gift of money from them. 1t is q strange
but wholesome characteristic of the English
people, that the smallest present of manufac-
| tured goods is thankfully accepted and CRATE
| fully acknowledged, while gift of money is
rejected as an insult. After much consulta-
| tion, it was decided to present her with a tea
service and--a cradle. The latter article is
| generally considered by such people-and
! not always them alone-as an indispensable
article of domestic furniture, and therefore
a suitable thing to present to person newly
married.
The presentation was made at night and
| for once Bess was speechless. Good, simple
soul, the possibility of such an expression of
regard from her rough neighbors had never
occurred to her. She could only mutter de-
murely her customary, 81 never see such
fools as some folks is" and then hide her face
in her hands aud burst into tears. So kind
herself, the kindness of others usually 80
| rough aud emotionless, was too much for her.
Bill thanked the friends for their gift, and
pointing to the weeping Bess, said; "You
see boys. she amt used to this sort o. thing,
an it's kind o. knocked her over. l know
you means well, an l sha'n't forget it. But
if it's ell the same, perhaps you wouldn't
| mind leaving Bess an me alone bit till she
kind O. gets over it. You see, don't want
you to think as l don't think enough of what
you've done only, you see, she amt used to
this sort O. thing, an it's kind o'knocked her
over
The audience kindly left the newly married
pair together.
Six months had passed away since the mar.
riage when l once more stood in the hut ol
Bess-now Mrs. Thompson. As l entered,
she looked up with smile of recognition,
and hearty; "Hullo here again, sir Why
what on earth do you see here, to make you
come back again ?"
''Not much, Mrs. Thompson, truly" l re-
piled, laying great stress upon her new name.
She blushed crimson as she laughingly re
piled "Ah l thought as they'd tell you al
soon as you set foot in the place. never see
such born idiots in all my days"
Well, l must congratulate you on your
marriage; and hope you will be happy to
gother."
'Well, you see, Bill was such fool, an
couldn't take care of hisself You know
had to fish him out O. the water once. Blu
he amt tasted drink since, an he promised
| % hn nunnldnlt IL IA marry linn A NJ Won Aat