Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-11-13

When the landlord came to the
'squire's Office, four days later, and per-
emptorily ordered the things put out of
rooms and z, Constable John Frick
felt about as blue as he had ever felt in
all his life. He hadn't been able to get
that delicate little woman's sad face out
of his mind, nor the sick baby, nor the
drunken wretch of husband.
To tell the plain truth, he and his
good wife had talked the matter over
frequently. You see, she was mother,
and had mothers big tender heart in
her bosom, quick as flash to feel
where children were concerned. Only
that morning, when 1 was starting away
on duty, she said premiscuous like:
''Recollect, John Frick, if you put that
poor woman and her baby into the
street such day as this-snowing and
blowing fit to kill-you needn't never
look me in the face again"
'Jane, " 1 said in my utmost dignifed
voice. 81 must do my duty"
When the writ of expulsion was put
into my hands, and the land ord said he
wouldn't give another day, l felt meaner
than a skunk. The weather was just
fearful. 1t was not only biting cold, but
damp and foggy, and enough gloomy to
make folks in trouble bend their ideas to
getting relief by self-murder.
found the same sodden young man
in the saloon, as tipsy and slouchy and
dirty as before. Now he was noisy,
drunk, staggering about the place, swear.
ing ana Dragging, thick-tongued and
maudlin, and looking still more disgust
ing than when he was doubled up on the
chair.
"What do you want here2" he yelled,
as was passing on to room six.
'You dry up, Sevholm!" snapped the
greasy faced man, grabbing him by the
arm and swinging him back from follow
ing after me. "He's got business with
your wife. Keep still-you2 you're not
fit for business"
But the tipsy loafer broke away and
burst into the presence of his wife; and
when had explained the nature of my
errand he ranted out:
'Tt's all right, Elsie. I've got place
ready. I'll fetch wagon and have the
things moved right away" And out he
started on a run.
l now learned that another suite of
rooms had been secured, only awaiting
the payment of the first months rent in
advance, and that by the sale of por-
tion of his wife's best wearing apparel
the needed money had been secured. s
also learned that the man was first elias
workman in business that paid excep-
tionally high wages, and that until he
had fallen into habits of intoXication
they had lived as happily and respecta-
bly, as hearts could desire.
Would he return with team and gain
the new home for his family Orwould
he continue his drunken spree and spend
the money his wife's clothing had been
sacrificed to secure9 l asked these ques-
tions score of times, as l stole furtive
glances at the troubled looks in the
woman's eyes, and noted the terrible
strain her mind was in while he was
gone.
The furniture was nearly all packed in
readiness for removal; and l knew,
though she did not tell me, that frai
wife had spent her strength in the ardu-
Gus preparation.
l had told the landlord that they were
ready to move, and would be surely
gone that day. He was not half salts
fed. He had come tearing to the Office
in great stew of anger and impatience
to have them thrust out forthwith, he
would not grant another hours delay, sc
there was no help for it; if Sevholm did
not speedily appear l should be com
pelled to place their effects on the side
walk.
So stating to Mrs. Sevholm, I added
that l would heaprather take licking
than do it. With tears of thankfulnes!
in her eyes, she responded:
"You shan't be put to the pain of it
You are like the dear old father l once
had"
Then after she turned her head min
ute to brush away the tears that blinded
her, she drew a heavy gold chain from
the bosom of her dress, and as she helC
it up for me to look at, went on
''It cuts me to the heart to sell this
1t was present from my dear mother
the day was married. l can sell it fo
enough to pay the rent, and have thC
things moved in a little while, if yol
will be so good to watch the baby unit
my return"
Of course I understood we'll enough
that she had given up all hopes of he
mans return, or of ever seeing the
money she had trusted him with tx
pay for the rooms. And it was curious
as I could see as plain as plain coult
be, that she was ten times over NOR
panied and worried about me finding on
what miserable scamp her husband wa
showing himself, than for the trouble
and misery he had heaped on herself.
That was womanlike.
wouldn't listen TO what she had pro
posed, by no manner of means. AS goot
luck would have it, l had $40 in m,
pocket SaidT:
eff this will be enough I will lend i
on the chain, and you can pay it bacl
whenever you are able. That way yot
won't need lose your mothers present
nor pay any interest"
She couldn't speak for thanks. He
heart was too full.
At this very minute her husband cam
tearing into the room before his wifi
could get the jewelry out of sight
''Give that to mel" he screamed.
knew you had it all all along. But yo,
lied; lied'
With this he struck at her in hi
: drunken rage, and poured forth tor
rent of cursing vituperation.
Then grabbed him and yanked hin
backwards with pretty rough jerk, bu
before I could secure him he gave me
clip under the ear that knocked me owe
a stool, and made another savage lung
at the defenceless woman, as she strov
: to get out of his way.