The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1884-10-30

would put me 10 palace
Mr.. Martin grew green asd saffron b
turns
"Humphiv said he. Fine Ideas 70
have got at this fashionable besfdin
school Of yours. Well. il yoa don't lik
my offer. you're not obliged 10 sccep, il
BE fine lady. II You please, and SO
where il viii land you."
BY way OF answer. Esther marched ou
Of the room with al the dignity Of aroys
princess. She only stopped in the ki.ch
en- long enough TO kiss Ruth, who was il
the midst OF baking.
Poor darling" said she. ''how wisl
could carry you of with me. For sta,
| won't.
Life is bard work. Esther, said Mrs
Martin, beginning 10 cry, ia spite OF her
self; and it's woman's duty to help hsl
husband"
"And mean 10 help mins--when
have one, " said Esther. blushisg brightly
"But not by wearing myself out"
Mr.. Martin shook bis head.
III Stephen Smith Is foolish enough tc
marry that saucy gypsy, she'll lead him 9
pretty lfe." said he. II wonder II she
expects to sit on satin sofa all her days,
with rose in her hand. and her hair friz
zled in that preposterous fashion. all over
her eyesf But warn 'em, they need
never come to me for help! Esther has
treated mo with too much insolsnce for
me ever to receive her again"
II am sure she did not mean anything"
said Mrs. Martin.
"Well, her words telisd her meaning, "
remarked Thomas Martin. grimly com.
pressing his lips.
But Stepen Smith was apparently un.
daunted by the possibilities Of ruin pre-.
dicted by farmer Martin, for be married
Esther and went to the city to live, within
three months.
II give 'em just year to come back
here and eat humble pie, said Mr.. Mar.
tin, vindictively
"Oh, Thomas, don't talk sol" said his
wife. Zone would think you would be
glad to have some evil beiall them"
"Apd so should, F" said Martin. vicious
ly grinding his teoth together "That
girl needs lot OF humbling, and / hope
she'll get it.
Three years afterward there came one
Of those terrible droughts that undo far
mer's life work in season, and sweeping
away his prospects as an autumn wind
sweeps away sere forest. The cattle
died, a pestilence broke out among the
flock Of sheep, which Thomas Martin had
just bought; high wind blew his best
barn over, and disaster stared him in the
face on every side.
'Its no use talking said be. II eau
not meet this years interest on the mort.
gage. The place will have TO go.
"Oh. Thomas" groaned Mrs. Martin,
who, poor soul, now lay all day on hard
wooden lounge. and groaned to see how
wofully she was needed at the helm
II cant help it, F." said Martin. Every
thing is against me.
Its only $780," said Mrs. Martin.
''You might borrow it.
Who'd lend to me, I'd like to know"
said Martin, rem embering with sigh how
he had hardened his own face against
every humble supplant in the golden
days Of his prosperity.
There's Esther's husband, suggested
Ruth. I've heard that he is doing well
in Boston. Aud, after all Esthers my
own sister"
Mr.. Martins features contracted into
hideous grimsce. OF all the bitter cups
which circumstances had held to his lips
OF late this was the bit.erest.
But it had to be swallowed. There was
no help for il
'I didn't suppose Smiths folks lived as
genieel AS this" said he to himself, as
neat maid led him across an octagonal
vestibule, hoored with black and red mar
BILE, and fragrant with flowers, under the
golden fringe OF an antique portiere, into
u large. tastefully furnished room, where
the singing birds. the open piano, the low
satin sofa all betoken no lack OF mooey.
Yes-Mr. Smith was at home He had |
not yet gone to the store, aud presently be
came in, waving welcomes TO tha man who
bad married Es,her's sister.
LEND you Sl,000?' said he. "Of
course we can lend you 81, 900. What
Is money for il not to help each other
With. Oh yes We've snug little sum
AID up in tho bank. and we live very com
Tortably. Ny business? Yes. it's tolera.
Die, but II never got us all these things"
lancing at the soft arabssques Of the car
At the graceful folds Of the crimson silk
url sins. That is my wife's doings"
"E ~ said Mr.. Martin, staring around
im
nYes. said Smith, with certain, quiet
.tisfac,ic n. Esther is an artist, you
now--a d Is igner She inveDss patterns
= the pal ,e, hangers and upbolstsrers.
hey are gl sd to psy her fifty dollars
eek" /"
Fifty dollar a week. exclaimed Mar
in. why. tha. 8 more $50 is, mean
than poor Ruth M ale by all her poultry
1T year. Well. j neyer
In all his life he had never respected
.ther as he respected her now.
..shs has money laid up" said Stephen
NTH. And II shes tie girl think she
she won 4 erudgc il 10 help her sisters
lsbapd a pinch.
A. al "A ud rHN 4 i.