Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-02-15

Mrs. Somerby called at the Wilk- |
ms with hammamelis, and suggested
that there might be something in the |
eye.
GIVE thought of THAT" said Mr..
Wilkins, ponderously s'but Saryann
took a good squint and couldn't see
nothing"
depend upon it, something has
blown in p Mrs. Somerby positively |
asserted. "There's nothing like a
horse hair with loop in the end to
take it out. Won't you try it, Mis-
ter Wilkins %
"Saryann," said he soiemnly. ''go
to the barn, and bring hair
So old Moleskin's tail was taxed. |
Mrs. Somerby arranged the hair, in
structing Mr.. Wilkins to lift his up
per lid, insert the loop and run it |
clear around the eye. 1t took some |
time to perform this operation, for,
simple as 1t is, it requires nerve and |
courage, and Mr.. Wilkins hand |
shook like a leaf. However, after
turning his back upon spectators, and |
horribly distorting his face, it was
done; but no relief came.
Other neighbors called after this.
Mr.. Wilkins acted upon their sugges-
tions with child-like confidence. At
length, after the eye had been peered
into and experimental upon by an
extended neighborhood, Peter Wilk-
ins decided to consult new doctor
who was to be found at the tavern
four days in the week, although he
was said to have a large city practice.
''I can't go on in this way, Sary-
ann,'' he said; ''Pll 60 to Doctor
Knowall this very day.
So, although it was raining, and
Sarah Ann feared he might get cold
in it, Mr.. Wilkins showed half his
vision to the popular M. D.
"You've got bad eye there" was
the verdict.
"Ah! you think sop calculated
Mr.. Wilkins receiving this stale
news as if 1t were fresh.
SIT is too cloudy for me to get
full diagnosis" added DR.. Knowall.
"Come the first pleasant day, and l
will make further examination.
His manner increased Mr.. Wilkins
fears he returned home still more
subdued For the first time in years
Wilkins insisted upon doing the bern
chores. Some women would have
thought this hopeful sign; Sarah
Ann did not.
..Yopr pas changing dreadful"
bad eye,-Im afraid ffs It i.';i will b be the the
death of him.
And when the mites began an end
less job of picking over beans, Wllk-
ms took chair between them, assist
ing them profoundly with the remain
inc eye, Sarah Ann uttered a strange
muffled cry, threw her blue drilling
apron over her head and rushed from
the room. The children worked on
from habit but soon their tears fell
also.
Now, strangely enough, Wilkins
we'll eye saw many things it had
never seen before, and when it OBJ
served these signs of undeserved af-
fection, it grew humid.
| why, what's up?" said it's own
er. "Sorry for your old dad, posies? ?
He's poor lot to cry about. Hasn't
been over fond of coddling ye, has
he, babies %
His voice shook with mighty feel
ing; STOPPING suddenly, he gathered
them in his powerful arms, and pill
lowing his shaggy head in their soft
embrace, wept bitter tears.
After time the children said
something about ''poor ma, CRYING
alone" He rose, holding them still,
and hunted for her; and when she
was found, broken hearted, Old Wilk-
ins actually turned comforter
"Chirk up, little woman, there now,
maybe it isn't so bad-now don't
take on so, there's brave little wo-
mani
Tone and words were q new Ian
guage to the long oppressed wife !:
, but her woman's heart understood !;
| yes, drank them in so eagerly that
the man was astonished. He had
, poured into her soul the stimulus of
, love, it ran through her veins like
fire, and glowed in her pale cheek !;
for an instant, Wilkins wife was
transformed, and he had a glimpse
, of what she might have been if he
) had always cherished her.
f A second trip to the doctor, and a
t prolonged examination, confirmed
| Wilkins worst fears.
6 "You've got to lose that eye, sir y
"What lose my eye?' cried
r Wilkins, pltifully argumentative.
: "What's to become of my farm p
He forgot that Mrs. Wilkins was the
/ farmer! Also the fact that she made
s the carpets, for he added, 'And
! where'll my carpet business go top
e "Your vocation does not alter the
: position of things, sir; your eye
0 must be removed at once. if you
!. would save the other"
: The doctor advised him to 60 tC
Q an Infirmary in the distant city. Mf
n Wilkins could scarcely get home, be
). was so weak. The news flew about