The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-01-30

again III uuTiy INV you Jueb mnIh
that. A trouble and disgrace, am 2"
Eyes, you are !" said Jane, her anger
increasing as her mind dwelt upon the
loss of the coat she had worked 80 hard
to earn. mean all I've said, and more,
too Go go to Sillbrook's Ask him to
show you the overcoat he's wearin'. / saw
it yesterday, and yours wasn't circum-
stance to 1t Go Give him every penny
you've got He needs it |" with bitter
little laugh. His children's feet are all
out on the ground, and his wife hasn't a
decent dress to her name," with a glance
at her faded calico gown. Help him all
you can, Amos Derby; he's in need O.
charity"
Amos made no answer. He was con.
sderably more sober than when he had
left the saloon, for the walk home through
the fresh winter air had done him good,
and he felt the force of his wife's words.
They rung in his ears as be slammed the
kitchen door behind him, and, taking the
road which led by the mill, walked rap
idly away.
He was soon in the heart of the town,
but he did not think or care where he
was going. His only idea was to get
away from the sound of James sharp
voice, and he turned down first one street
and then another, without pausing, until
he came to Elm avenue, on which were
situated the handsomest houses in the
town. There was large, square brick
house on the corner, with stables in the
rear, a conservatory on one side, and a
beautiful lawn in front, and this place
seemed to possess some strange fascina-
ton for Amos, for he stopped suddenly at
the gate, and stood there for fully five
minutes, admiring, perhaps, the mansions
air of solid comfort and wealth.
The iron gate was open, and presently,
as if impelled by some impulse ne could
not resist, he entered, and, walking softly
up the gravelled path, looked in at one OF
the long windows.
The room upon which he gazed was
very handsomely furnished. The chairs
were luxuriously cushioned, a large mir.
ror hung over the mantle, the carpet was
of velvet, crystal chandelier depended
from the ceiling, and bright fire burned
in the open CRATE, before which sat a
lady richly dressed, reading aloud to three
children sitting on ottomans at her feet.
For long, long time Amos Derby
stood by the window, his eyes wandering
from one article of luxury to another, a
dark frown on his face, and his teeth sci
hard together.
"My money" he muttered, when al
last he turned away. give given it tc
him, cent by cent and dollar by dollar
and I've naught to show for it, while he
he's got his fine house, and his rich car
pets, and his handsome clothes. It's the
same money, only I've spent it in one way
and he in another"
AS the last words left his lips hand
fell heavily upon his shoulder, and g
voice-the voice of Sillbrook--asked him
hsrshly what he wanted.
GA look into your fine parlor," an
swered Amos roughly, " Strange l wanted
to see it, wasn't it 1t ought not to mat
ter to me, of course, what use you make
O my money"
"Your money!" said Sillbrook, with 6
loud laugh. "That's crazy joke Come
my man, you're drunk. Get out of here
or I'll have you put where you can make
your jokes to yourself"
You think you're rich enough now tt
speak to me as you choose" said Amos
holly. "Time was when you wouldn'
have dared. But tell you, Jason Sill
brook, I've come to my senses tonight
It's poor bargain where the gains all OF
one side. We started even, and you'v'
got all and l nothin'. But tell you now
that, heaven helpin' me, you'll never hav,
another dollar o. mine to spend. You'll
never buy another coat like this out O
my money" and he struck in sudden pas
| ha fr,v cd Job
cred Sillbrook's ample proportions.
"Be off with you," said the salool
keeper. "You're too drunk to know wha
you're talking about"
"And who made me drunk? Answe
that question, Jason Sillbrook," screamed
| Amos.
"I'll answer nothing" said Sillbrook
and, tearing his coat from the grasp Amo
had laid upon it, he strobe up the patl
and disappeared within the house.
The next morning, when the superin
tendent made his round of the mill, h
missed one of the machine hands.
Where's Derby ?" he asked, angrily.
No one could answer his question. NJ
one had seen Derby that day. And n
one at the mill saw him for many day t.
come.
81 might have been kinder to him,
thought Jane, when at last she becam
convinced that her husband had in trutl
left her. Perhaps 1 did say more'n
should at times. Poor Amos he was n
more to blame than l was, after all. Pei
haps he would have kept out O. that sa
loon if I'd only coaxed stead O. railing a
him. He wasn't bad-hearted, an he neve
meant moren half he said"
And as the days went by, and she for
got her past sorrows, she had only kim
thoughts of her absent husband, an
blamed only herself for their mutus
misery. She wished with all her hear
that she could begin all over again,
and try the effect of kindness and forbeal
ance on Amos.
But no such opportunity was given hel
and she had little time for bitter thought
or unavailing regret.
The superintendent of the mill gave he
eldest child, lad of fourteen. situatio
where he could earn four dollars weel
and girl, year younger, found work in
millinery store. Thus Jane was relieve
of much anxiety, and she was so skilfr
with her needle that she soon found hel
self able to clay by something for a rain
day." as she expressed it.
Gradually the children were provide
with comfortable clothes, and were sent
| church and IN Sundau.acbooI from uhic