Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-07-18
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The farm of the Willettes was model Of
noatness and thriftiness. Never did the
neighbors find u broken fence rail or an un-
trimmed hedge for in spite Of the poverty
Of its owner aud the want of help nothing
was neglected. Farmer Willette was wont to
draw himself up proudly and declare that al
though he mad but one man, his son Tom,
aud himself to run the farm, 10 one in Hill.
side could boast Of a prettier place or better
kept fowls and animals than he.
In the old fashioned farmhouse his daugh-
tor Jeanie made the domestic wheel run
smoothly, while his gentle delicate wife as
sisted in the lighter duties which Jennie saw
were even too much for her feebleness.
And SO their lives ran on iu one dull mo-
notonous routine until an event occurred
which caused "A sudden turn in affairs.
VIII Avery, the son Of the richest man in
Hillside, came down from the city, where he
bad been working, to his former homo on a
visit, lie laughed at Tom Wilette for plod-
ding along on u stupid farm when he might
make q fortune in the city. And Tom fool
ish boy that be was) ashamed to confde his
intentions to his father, and leave home in
AL honest, straightforward way, sncRked on
in the dead Of night, leaving a note which
Jeauie found upon his pin cushion, to tell
his parents that he was tired of hard, coun-
try work, and Lad gone to the city to seek
his fortune.
When the farmer heard Of the flight OF his
son Li- wrath was fearful to behold, and in
the heat Of his anger he swore that Tom
should never enter his door again aud he
forbade any mention Of his boys name by
either wife or daughter.
They obeycd him, and only when in the
solitude Of her own room did Mrs. Willette
speak OF her absent boy to the sympathizing
Jeanie
Nine months passed YEARLY by, and only
once did they hear from Tom, who sent
letter to his proud father to crave his forgive
ness bu; the fathers anger had not yet
cooled 80 he returned the letter, saying that
he had no son, and he never wished to hear
from the boy who once occupied that place in
his home and affections.
Poor man He had placed all hopes of
future greatness in his only son, and no Won
der the hard working farmer found it diff
cult task to forgive Tom for destroying his
ambitious plans He was not the man to
complain to another Of his misfortunes, and
as he could not afford to hire another man on
his farm, he worked harder than ever.
His tall figure began to stoop and his iron
gray hair became snowy white. He would
go to the house at meal time, but was hurried
and silent, then out again he would go, hav-
ing barely tasted a morsel, and in answer to
Jeanies anxious look would say that he had
no time to eat; he had too much to do.
That set JeGnie to thinking how she could
tighten his cares, and she finally concluded
to hurry over her own work and then take
Toms place upon the farm as far as she WAS
able, and it was a comical sight to see the
young girl with torn straw hat faded dress,
and with an old pair Of Toms stout boots
upon her feet, whip in hand behind the plow,
urging the old horses on. But Jeanie didn't
care. Father had more time to rest, and she
fancied he was losing the hurried, careworn
look that had settled upon his face since Tom
had run away.
As for Mrs. Willette, the anxiety and care
as to how they should manage through the
coming winter, and the feverish longing for
her SON. told greatly upon her already feeble
frame, and one day Jeanne woke to the real-
ty that her mother was dangerously i'll.
Father" Jeanie said, stopping the farmer
as he was leaving the house father, fear
mother is sicker than we know"
"What !" shouted the farmer unheeding
Jeanio's motion to be quiet, your mother
sick Why, you must bo crazy, girl! She
told me this morning that she wasn't agoin'
to git up till after breakfast cause she felt
tired like but she amt much sick, reckon,
else she would q told me :" and with few
more words be hurried away, whie Jeanie ran
up to her mothers room and bent over the
bed
Mother, dear" she whispered, tenderly,
do you feel i'll? Can l do any thing for
you p
"They told me that my Tom had run
away, aud it isn't true; l know it is not, "
muttered the invalid, as she tossed restlessly
about, whilo every now and then moan
broke from her lips.
Jean was very much frightened, for she
could not understand how her mother could
have forgotten that Tom had run away so
long ago.
Mother" she cried, laying her cool though
hard hand upon her mothers burning fore
head don't you know me? It is Jean
your Jean. Oh! what shall do p and with
tears of helplessness in her eyes she prayed
for guidance. Almost immediately thought
struck her.
Darling from the room and down the stairs
Jean entered the kitchen, and seizing the old
dinner horn she blew it repeatedly, then
waited anxously. Yes, her fathers voice
was hallooing to her. Once more the hoarse
tones Of the horn hoated down to her father
at work in tho pasture, and it was with a
sonso of relief that she saw him striding rap.
| idly toward the house.
"What is it, Jean, girl?" he asked pant
ing for breath as he neared the house. In a
| few brief words sho had told him all, and
bidding her run back to her mother, he hur-
ried to the barn. As Jeanie sat by the bed
side Of her mother, she heard tho clatter of
the horses feet Running to the window
she saw her father riding rapidly toward the
| village.
"Where is Tom? Why don't somebody
bring him from the field l must speak to
| him. cried Mrs. Willette, eXctedly. "Is he
! dead John john, you must forgive him -
our boy-our only son-oh, john !"
Her last words would have melted her hus-
bands proud heart could he have heard
them but he was far away, seeking the vii
lage physician, whom he fortunately found
just stepping into his buggy to make pro.
fessional call but Farmer Wlllette's startled
appearance and urgent entreaty caused the
doctor to change his destination, and they
were soon huTrying toward the Willette farm.
Jean hurried orSard to meet the doctor AZ
he entered her mothers rDom.
"Is she very Ill., sir? %, tell me !" she
cried graspnR his arm in her excitement,
''Be calm, Miss Joanie," hu answered
soothiugly, "fnr have only you to depend
upon as "A nurse. Yes, fear that Mrs Will
etto is very sick woman" He once more
bont over the invalid, who, having swallowed
a soothing potion, now lay quiet with closed
| eyes.
Tue farmer had stood eagerly watching
tho doctors face n lao spoke to jean, and he
now stepped forward.
II say, doctor" touching the physician's
arm and speaking in an awestruck voice,
''you don't mean to say that my wife ia very
sick, do you"
| 81 am afraid, 50, Mr.. willotte, was the