The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-08-13

"It's no use, Becky" said the little lam,
cobbler, dropping hi, head upon his hand
aud looking, as be felt, the personfcatior
Of despair. "I've offended the Lord
some how, and he won't lot me have /
chance to keep roof over our heads.
know I'm not at all as I ought to be, and
I'm punished.
Becky went across the room and patted
her husband on the back.
"Now don't take on, Nick, don't, " SHE
said. "That can't be, for He as knows al
knows how good you are. Better times II
come They're sure to; and you'll be
rewarded for all your patience yet The
darkest hour is just before day"
Tho cobbler shook his head.
"Ive gin up hope, Becky" he said,
what with the rent and bill for medicine.
1t was like me to get sich just at the worst
and no change coming in; and the new
shop with gilt sign tempting folks from
our shabby basement even for the mend
ing their old shoes. I'm crushed down.
Why, you are as thin and white as ghost.
You haven't tasted meat this week"
"No more have you" said Becky. "But
ID, why there is folks thinks meat unhul-
some. Wegetarians, Nick. they call EN-;
where / lived out once saw one."
"Did be say bread was unhulsome, too?"
asked Nick "Oh, gall, wish I'd left ye
living out at service, rosy, bright and hap
py! but / meant to do better, did II
was an able bodied man I'd work somehow
and somewhere, but it's last or nothing
with me. Beck, why didn't you take Tim
Rolf, the wheelwright, ana send the little
limping cobbler about his business?"
II don't like Tim" said Becky, "and /
just knew how nice and cozy we'd be to-
gether. Never quarrel, Nick. And how
we used to 60 to Hoboken and have lemon.
ade in the garden. and como home arter
dark an AFTERNOON, and how we used to go
to church Sunday morning in clothes as
good as any ones"
"Usedp' sighed poor Nick.
"Why. it cant be all up hill" said
Becky. II haven't time to go out galli-
wanting now, but ls, dent miss 1t. We're
steady married folks now, you know"
"Oh, Becky" said the cobbler. "you try
to keep up heart. but you know it's come
to starving"
They looked at each other, and then
Becky put her arms about her husband.
She did nQt weep upon his bosom; she was
SO big and strong. and he so small and
frail, that It only seemed natural to re-
verse matters. She hugged him up to
her shoulder and covered bis head over
with her apron, aud put her cheek down
outside the bundle thus made. and smooth.
ed and patted him as il be had been a
baby. But she cried, too, and the apron
wet through 10 10 time.
1t was a bad state OF things. No money
no food, no fire, and winter at it's coolest;
the children sent to school breakfasiless
for the sake OF the warmth aud comfort Of
the school house; no work to be had, the
little cobbler as helpless as man could well
be. except at his trade, and Becky's wash
ing stopped, for heaven only knew how
long. by great felon in the palm OF her
right hand.
But Becky loved the queer little mortal
she bad married 80 well that she stopped
crying first, and picked up his head and
patted il, and kissed him right between
the eyes great frightened blue eyes. that
seemed made for crying.
"You stay At home snd mind tbeplace. :
she said. "Tm going ont a while. Per.
hsps there'll be bit OF luck nov. who
knowsf"
She put on her bonnet and shawl
such thin little shawl, which had been
used for sn ironing cloth. aud had an iron.
shsped scorch between the shoulders :
and took up pAsket
The cobbier looked 1t her.
Becky" be said bosrssss.
She knew what be meant
The little children, Nick: IL won't seem
like begging when it's for them
Then the door shut behind her. and
poor Nick limped altar her. As though 10
stop her. then fairly Hung himself down
upon the floor. Wishing be we're under the
ground beneath it.
God forgive the man that marries
vomsn 70 sisrve her. be sobbed. why
II I'd known II would have come 10 this
I'd never have eonrisd her. Ii's time |
wss dead"
Perhaps. being . strange. inpulsiye H.
tie fellow. there might have been irgic