The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-04-15
flor the CHILDREN.
Jacobs Disaster---A True Incident.

In small Lighthouse, just on the edge
OF not very fertile-looking field, lived
Widow Murray and her only son Jacob,
and very happy were the mother and
boy, united by the fond dependence
that ever grows stronger between those
struggling together through life's trials,
each striving to make the burden lighter
for the other.
But for six long weeks now the
widow had been alone. save the COM
pany of little neighbor at night; for
Jacob had heard of work to be found
with one of the farmers of the adjoining
county, and had gladly taken advantage
of the opportunity thus to make a little
money during the leasure season, be-
fore it would be time to begin work in
their own small plot of ground.
Very trying to both had these weeks
of separation been, as wearisome, per-
haps, to one as the other; but how
fully recompensed seemed the mothers
loneliness and Jacobs inconsistencies as
the day drew pear that was to bring
him back. And now, here he was,
right at the door, ruddy and warm from
his long walk over the hills, and his
heart all aglow with happiness as his
bright with eager gladness.
And tell me, now, all about yourself
and your work " she cried, impatiently,
as they sat down before the great
log fire.
"Well, as for myself" said Jake,
with merry laugh, "my tongue can
tell all that's worth hearing; but for
my work-this will speak best for that,
and with fingers clumsy through eager
haste, he fumbled in his pockets, till
drawing forth his cotton handkerchief
tied in succession of difficult knots,
he rapidly loosened them, one by one,
and triumphantly extricated carefully
folded twenty-dollar greenback!
What do you think of that for six
weeks work." he cried, exutantly.
The widows eyes frightened as much
through pride and pleasure in Jake's
happiness as at sight of such a rare
sum of money.
And is it really all yours?" she
asked, admiringly
"No," laughed Jake, I" for now it is
half yours; but we will lay it by, if we
can, till have made my crop, and see
if there will not be another to keep it
company"
All, what happy evening that was;
but Jake had walked far, and as he was
to begin blowing their own field on the
morrow, tired eyes and an easy con-
science soon brought the hour for sleep,
from which he did not waken till the
sun was calling all busy people to begin
anew their work
jake" said his mother, anxiously,
81 hope you have put the money in a
safe place; hadn't you better-?"
Oh, it is safe enough" interrupted
Jake, quickly; "trust me for that,
MOTHER" and off he hurried to the field.
Had he waited moment longer she
would have urged that the money be
given into her safe-keeping, but she
thought, as her eyes followed him, " he
loves to look at it, and it will be
pleasure to him to hide it away in some
safe place of his own %; while as wise
Jake went on his way he was saying to
himself, " l would be foolish indeed to
leave such sum of money as that
about the house and perhaps have her
murdered some day by tramps when l
am out in the field. No, l shall keep it
in a safer place than she thinks"
Jake was bright boy in many things.
But, o dear, how much better are two
heads than one in most matters!
All through the day merry whistle
rang over the field, gladdening the
mothers heart whenever near, as Jake
tramped up and down, back and forth,
turning up the long burrows with his
pillow. The fresh-turned sod was damp
and chill, but what cared he for that
with his heavy boots that kept his feet
warm and dry and left the print of their
broad, thick soles along many line
that day. And thus, day after dav,
Jake followed his pillow till at the close
of week the work was done, and with
tired limbs but happy heart he went
to his little loft-room above his mothers.
And now for peep at my nest
egg" he said to himself. " l have not
looked at it for whole week." and,
seated on the side of his bed, Jake pulled
off one heavy boot, and slipping his
hand down inside his well-darned sock
drew out-what?
A worn, f1imsy, tattered scrap, that
looked as though it might possibly once
have been bank-note, but Jake's eyes
could not recognize it as such as he
gazed silently upon it, 1t was not
merely soiled or crumpled-that he
might have expected; but it was liter
ally in shreds, and almost fell to pieces
as, in dazed way, he tried to smooth
it out.
Then slowly, overwhelmingly, the
truth dawned upon him. For whole
week that paper note had been at the
bottom of his boot, and as he gazed
upon the result, his heart seemed to 90
right down to where the money had
lain. How could he bear it'll How
could he tell his Woodworking, patient
mother that the money, on which they
had counted so much, was gone-ut-
terly used up, and all for nothing! Oh
how poor Jake blamed his own foolish
head and his confidence in his own fool
ish judgment!
But the pain and dsmayed astonish-
ment was unbearable; he could not
endure it alone, and slowly descending
the loft stairway in his stocking feet,
looked in upon his mother who, with
the folded hands of Saturday night, sat
gazing meditatively into the fire.
The sight of her tired face was too
much for Jake, and it was a kind of
gulping sob that first attracted her at
tention, and with little cry of alarm
she turned quickly, exclaiming:
What is it, Jake-are Won sick