Connecticut western news., 1885-07-15
"But I thought you were off for


 Scenersville in such hurry"
 "I 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, was little annoyed at first, it did seem rather provoking to be kept at home by only shirt button"
 "What are you going to do?"
 "Why, shall make a second start tomorrow"
 "Pll see to 1t 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 hotel dear the depot. I 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"
 "We will not discuss the matter any further, my dear, if you please. have resolved to say nothing more to you about reforms. I see it is use less, and only tends to foster an un- 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, MT. Chicker- 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 hay ing performed her duty in the mend ing and general renovation of her bus 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 p Oh, Frank 1 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 a few bitter words to the effect that she neglect of her only living nephew had induced her, on the spur of the moment. to all ter her original intention of leaving it to him. She died the next morning."
 "Oh, Frank, how much was it ?"
 "Ten thousand dollars"
 There was a moment or two or si- lence, then MT. 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 own conscience. Not alone the one missing button, but the scores-nay, hun dreds-of trifling omissions, forgetful- ness and postponements which made her life one endless endeavor to "catch up' with the transpiring present, seemed to present themselves before her minds eye. What would this end in? Was not the present lesson sutfi, ciently momentous to teach her to train herself in different schoolP
 She rose and came to her husband; side, laying one tremulous hand on his shoulder.
 There shall be no more missing buttons, my love-" she said earnestly
 He comprehended all that she Jeff unspoken, and silently pressed the lit tie hand in his own; and not word more was said upon this subject.
 But it was not forgotten. Mrs Chickerly set herself resolutely tC work to uproot the rank weeds grow ing in the garden of her life. AnC she succeeded, as we all may do wher we resolve to do wise thing.