Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-10-02
An Ungrateful Daughter.

wooden seats, which were placed on
either side of the rustic porch, that
formed kind of arbor-entrance to
the front door of the dwelling. The
speaker was a spare, little man, with
dark hair, thinly sprinkled with
gray.
"You're right this is neat little
spot. But I'll tell what I've been
a-thinking. You know my Jennie's
goin' to be married to Robert Mead
ows. She's my only child, so of
course she'll have all my belongings
when I'm gone but I've been think
in that, soon after she's settled, I'll
have a deed of gift drawn up, and
turn everything over to her; then
there'll be no proving the will and all
that fuss; and the lawyers won't
have a pickin' out of my bit of prop
erty. / shall live here, and be mas
ter just the same. What do you say
to that, friend Hayes?'
His friend took the pipe out of
his mouth, and shook his head dubi-
ously; then replaced it between his
lips, and gazed fxedly before him
for an instant ere he answered; then
he said, slowly and emphatically:
II don't like it. Keep the reins
in you own hands, man-you can
draw them tight, or loose, when you
please; but don't give them up till
you die. That's my advice, friend
Johnson"
There was little flash of anger in
the others eyes, as he replied;
"You don't know my Jennie
she's the loveliest, best and truest
girl that ever lived. She would new
er wrong her father"
In the meantime, Jennie and hel
lover were in the orchard, at The
back of the house, slowly walking
up and down the path between thc
trees. The moon was Frightening
in the purpling sky, and the evening
star glimmered family.
''When two days more have pass
ed, you will be my wife"
The young man looked down low
ingly into the shy, dark eyes raiseC
to his, and clasped the hand tina
rested upon his arm.
II am so glad, Robert, that
shall not have to leave my home,
she said after a pause; ''for
was born here, here my mother died
1t was very kind of father to pro
! pose that we should live with him
Now you can keep all the money il
the bank that you have been savin:
so long to buy furniture with, and
, we are careful we shall soon adj
some more to it.
"Your father is very good, Jen
ME; we must be very kind to him. ;"
The wedding-day arrived.
Mr.. johnson was placed in th
seat of honor; he moved among th
q guests, with a kind word and cheer
e greeting for all.
y Jennie was blooming, bonni
e bride, and seemed proud of her sta
wart husband. She was installed a
!, housekeeper in her fathers house
;, After a time, Mr.. johnson presente
4 his daughter with the deed of gift
and the young people were forma
: ly acknowledged as master and mis-
e tress of the farm, with the under
g standing that Mr.. johnson was to rt
e side with them.
All went well for a time. The
gradually there came a change owe
4 the serene atmosphere of the dwell
n ing, and the old man became col
it scious that he was no longer treate
l. with courtesy, nor his wishes II
: spected.
''Would you mind sleeping in I'll
F" back bedroom for few weeks
= We have a visitor coming," sal
Y. Jennie, one morning about 81
n months after the wedding.
I The old man stared, in great su
y prise.
"Why can't the visitor 60 into tt
81 back room," he asked.
- "Oh, its such poky little plac
s. I don't mean that exactly" she e,
S, claimed, checking herself in conf
sion. 'sThe room is very clean, al
q there is really a beautiful view fro
the window, and a very good feat
: er-bed. But Miss Martin is We
p particular she had such graz
;? home, that we can't put her an
at where"
IL Mr.. johnson leisurely crossed |
iS legs, put his newspaper on the tabl
took his spectacles off, rubbed theI
. put them in the case and then slo
ne ly rejoined:
be eff there is such fine view fro
the window, your visitor may enJ
Us it, and she can sleep on the feathe
. bed. I've slept in the front roc
five-and-forty years, and l amt
y" in to be turned out now. If Mi
: Martin amt satisfied with the accol
as modations, she may stay away y
eff "Stay away, indeed" fired Je
of ME. ''It's just like you, father,
IS call you very selfish"
aa w She hastily left the room, shutti
the door with bang.
The old man took up the newsI
s., : per, but the words ran together,
eg- large tears gathered in his brig