Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-11-26

high, and his had Welded well. In
the evenings and rainy davs husband
and wife had bent over the apples
the old orchards had given them.
Only three or four barrels had been
rolled into the cellar to stand by the
shrunken potato-bin, and these of
poorer quality. And the great round
turnips, land the immense yellow pump
kins-like globes of solid sunlight
and the yellow, crook-necked squash
es, and the red, sprangly beets, and
the cabhages; a goodly number of all
these had been exchanged for money
in town. John was a successful far
mer; his products were always in
demand. Much labor, too, had gone
into these things before they were
ready to be gathered, or, even then,
in shape for market. Dairy and
poultry yard, also, had been made to
weld their utmost. Elizabeth had
looked out for these. And every eX-
penditure bad been cut down to its
lowest figure. Without being scanty,
or stinted or poor, the daily meals
had come far short of their usual
abundant and inviting variety. Sun
dry household supplies had given
out, and had not been renewed, or
with the meagrest replenishment.
'sBut if we can feel that the place
is ours for good and ALL said she,
81 would almost be willing to go
without eating. And if we could get
it done before Thanksgiving, | would
be willing to to eat bread and butter,
or potatoes and salt, for my Thank
giving dinner" And John had agreed
with her. He had, indeed, been more
eager than she, as the dollars increas-
ed in number, to make up the sum
required and pay it in, and he forever
free from that indebtedness. They
had laughed over their little priva-
tions, and chartered like two children
over what they would do when the
farm was theirs.
"You must have a new shawl"
said John. ''One of those pretty,
fine, warm mes, hug-shawls, do you
call 'em, like Mrs. Grey's, and a new
bonnet, and new coverings for the
sitting-room chairs that you've want
ed so long. The old ones are shah
by. The pension will be coming
still, you know
''And you need a pew overcoat.
and YOU must have new hannels. And
we ought to have a new robe for the
sleigh. l worry about you every time
you 90 off in the cold.'
"And we must have Jennie (Jen
pie was Elizabeth's Younger sister,
and teacher) here for Christmas (;
5here'll be something to do with again
Dy that time"
And so they had planned toge her,
and looked forward to the free, hap
pier life they would lead once free
rom debt, hiding their sacrifices,
making light of real needs, finding
comfort in the long, strong pull to-
sether, for each felt the others true
ender hand and heart.
And now behold, accomplishing
he thing they had toiled for, little !
houghtlessness, a few hasty words,
dash of impatience, a sediment of |
bitter feeling was likely to spoil the
whole.
The old farm-wagoh, with John |
Neal on the seat, rumbled noisily out |
If the yard. The wife stood in the |
,itchen door watching him out of
ight. For the first time in their lives
he had no tender word of parting for
Ter; no injunction to stake care of
lerself,'' or ''keep the doors locked
or the tramps were thick" or "don't
work too hard" Always, since he
lad brought her home, John had had
ome such cheerful, farewell counsel.
low, he rode off stiffiy upright, and
lever looked behind him.
And Mrs. Neal went back into the
louse, locked the doors, and sat down
n one of the hardest wooden chairs
nd cried. "Much he cares just nc W
whether Lave any comfort or not
lie hadn't had any peace, he said; |
vonder when I've had any rest, or
ardly seen a woman's face? Twas
S much for him as for me, the whole
f it. 'Twould have been far easier
or me surely, to let things go, and
he payment come as it would. Not
hat I'd have minded the hard work,
+ going without or anything, as long
s he cared and was gentle, and as
e used to be. / wonder what it was
e wished, as he went out? That he
admit come here, or perhaps even
yer seen me! Men do get tired of
heir wives, but | never thought John
Tould,'' and the tears flowed anew.
81 didn't care about the molasses,
I how the twenty-five cents went,
nd he knew | didn't. Only we've
ot so little to make Thanksgiving
nth, though / will dress a pair of
hickens and do the best | can with
eg tables and apples and canned
hings, that wanted to make some
les if | could. / could have sent
or Jennie to come over if all had
one we'll. Twill be so lonesome for
er over there at the Point, and her
oarding-place is none too nice. /
houldn't have minded not having
nrkey for her. But it is too late
ow."