The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-07-09
"But l thought you were off for
in such a hurry"


81 found myself just five minutes
too late for the train, after having run
all the way to the depot"
"Oh, that was too bad"
Chickerly smiled little as he began
to carve the chicken.
"Yes, l was alittle annoyed at first,
it did seem rather provoking to be
kept at home by only shirt button"
what are you going to do?"
"Why, l shall make second start
morrow"
"Ill see to it that your breakfast is
ready this time, to the second, and all
your wardrobe in trim," said Fanny,
rather relieved at the prospect of a
chance of retrieving her character.
"You need not. l have engaged a
room at a hotel dear the depot. l can't
run any more risks"
He did not speak unkindly, and yet
Fanny felt that he was deeply dis.
pleased with her.
"But, Frank"
1--WE will not discuss the matter any
further, my dear, if you please. l
have resolved to say nothing more to
you about reforms. l see it is use
less, and only tends to foster an uu-
pleasant state of feeling between us.
Shall help you to some more macca.
roni?"
Fairly silenced, Fanny ate her din.
ner with what appetite was left her.
Three days afterward, Mr.. CHECKER,
ly once more made his entrance, just
at dusk, valice in hand, while Fanny
sat enjoying the ruddy light of the
coal fire and the consciousness of hav-
ing performed her duty in the mend
ing and general renovation of her hus
bands drawer full of shirts-a job
which she had long been dreading and
postponing.
"Well, how is Aunt Elizabeth ?"
questioned Mrs, Chickerly, when her
husband, duly welcomed and greeted,
had seated himself in the opposite easy
chair
Dead" was the brief reply.
"Dead |" Oh, Frank OF her old
enemy, apoplexy?'
"Yes."
"Was her will made?"
at was. Apparently she had ex-
pected me on the day she herself ap-
pointed and on my nOn-arrival on the
only train that stops, she sent for the
village lawyer, made her will, and left
all her property to the orphan asylum
in Scenersville, with few bitter
words to the effect that the neglect OF
her only living nephew had induced
her. on the spur of the moment, to al
ter her original intention Of leaving it
to him. She died the next morning."
ooh, Frank, how much was it?"
"Ten thousand dollars"
There was moment or two or 81
lence, then Mr.. Chickerly added com
posedly,-
"You see, Fanny. how much that
missing button has cost me! !"
Mrs Chickerly sat like one con
demned, by the utterance Of her owr
conscience. Not alone the one missing
button, but the scores-nay, hun
dreds of trihing omissions, forgetful.
ness anu postponcments which made
her life one endless endeavor to "catcf
up with the transpiring present
seemed to present themselves befDr,
her minds eye. What would this enc
in? Was not the present lesson sufli
ciently momentous to teach her to trail
herself in different school?
She rose and came to her husband
side, laying one tremulous hand on hi
shoulder.
There shall be no more missin!
buttons, my love-" she said earnestly
He comprehended all that she lef
uncpoken and Silontly nrasSal thp lit
tie hand in his own; and not a wore
more was said upon this subject.
But it was not forgotten. Mrs
Chickerly set herself resolutely t
work to uproot the rank weeds grow
ing in the garden of her life. AN
she succeeded. as we all may do whel
we resolve to do wise thing.