Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-17
What the Odd Jobs Did.

lit is the Lords will, wife, and we can
but submit, said Nathan Holyway sadly.
Il have prayed long and earnestly that He
would provide some way for us out of
this great trouble; but He knows best and
He will be with us even when we have
to leave the old home. hope they won't
come to notify us to day, the best dav of
the year, and yet suppose we might as
we'll look this in the face first rs last
oh, Nathan! said his wife as she fell on
her knees beside the chair, to which for
months he had been confined. If YOU
were well and strong, should not mind
leaving the dear old place so much; but
know how hard it will be for YOU, as YOU
are 10 make another place seem like
home.'
Wife. said her companion, laying his
hand londly on her head, with you by my
side, any place will seem like home. Do
not know how you have struggled and
toiled so we nigh, stay here until to-day?
Where should we have been now, had YOU
not taken things into your hands? feel
badly about Walter, for had hoped to give
him good education; but Gou has seen
fit TO render me so helpless, 1t cannot be;
hut we must find something for the boy
to do. Let us make this a happy day for
him, so that when we are gone he may
remember with pleasure the last New
Years day be ever spent here.
Yes, Nathan, I've
There, wife, see Lawyer Turner
coming up the lane. You had better 90
now. did hope that they would let u Us
feel that the old place still belonged to us
to-day, but God KIN ws best,
Nathan wish you would let me stay
and see the lawyer with YOU
No, no, wife; I can stand this better
alone
His companion arose, and pressed her
lip to his brow, and left the room without
q word.
Happy new year. said the lawyer, as
she met him at the door. Happy new
year, no repeated as he entered the door
where the invalid was awaiting him.
Awkward he muttered, as though to
himself. 1T don't sound right TO wish
man that when you've come TO tnrn poor
man out of doors, as you might say
During this speech he had been fumb-
ling over bag of papers he had brought
WIN him.
4 suppose you know what brings me
here, Mr.. Eolyway? he added, helping
himself to seat.
Yes was the reply; You have come to
notify me that the mortgage is to be |
foreclosed at once
4 see you've kept track of dates, and |
so forth, don't often attend to business
on holidays, but laid aside my rule for
once and made special case of this. |
understand that you are not prepared to |
pay
No, | am not prepared to pay
Pity you have not some friends 10
borrow the money from. Five hundred |
Is Il small sum to give up such fine
place as this
4 could not ask any one TO lend me
money when there would be no prospect
Of my ever being able to pay back the
oan'
Wise; very wise; but your grandson
might be able some day 10 pay it for YOU
Walter is but a lad' was the reply,
and it would be long ere he could do it,
nor would / be willing to burden his
young life with such Il heavy load. No
the place must GO
And yet said the lawyer, writing on
one of the papers he had with him, Il am
old that it was for his father to pay off
some of his debts that the place was first
l don't see why, when his
conduct almost ruined you. you took upon
yourself the support of his child
That is all thing of the past now.
You know that my son is dead
True, the original mortgage was two
thousand dollars, and you have paid it all
out five hundred
Again he busted himself with pen, 4
suppose you would have paid it if you had
lot been disabled?
L hoped to be able to do so, but God in
His wise providence has seen fit to order
hings otherwise. When do you propose
o offer this place for sale9' The old
mans voice was very sad.
1T will not be necessary to offer 1t
publicly. was the lawyers low reply. for
have privately found .uture owner for
he place, and it is that which has brought
ne here to-day"
when does he wish to come into posses
ion?' thinking more of that than the
,rice that had been offered.
Il think he would like to come into
possession to day. said the lawyer, writ.
ng busily again. I've brought all the
,apers with me-
To day, to-dayr said the old man start
ng
Yes, many people you know, like to
tart things with the beginning of a new
ear. Will you look at that paper!
Nathan Holyway took the paper handed
lin with trembling fingers, for it was a
hook to him to think of passing over that
'ery day the old place to stranger; and
hough his eyes grew dim at first, he
,ravely steadied himself until he could
cad the words that would pierce his
leart like knives. A frightened look
passed over his face. A moment later he
landed the paper back, saying:
You have made a mistake and given