The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-08-30
the DEAooxs pIHxER.


.---~----
whsn Katie w@tou became Mrs. Dcs
con Lee. every ose said What good mate
she hsd made; for tho Dseoo vas an hoo
orsble, upright msn. pleasant. kidd an'
gsneruns; and 10 addition TO this. wss tb
owner Of tho bes, farm for miles sronod
including . large piece Of woodland.
So. ~ every ons thought OF bim ~
model husband. they never dreamed o
stiribaiins the care worn look iba, grev
90 kssic's face 10 any fault oi his. How
could they. wbeu she. loyal little womsi
always spoke Of him wiin so much prid'
aud respec, thu, the village scssips could
And nothing Of which 10 complain.
Even ciose-moulbed Jonas, the grocer
said be never see 80 good . provider n
the Deacon vas" Perhaps be might have
thought differently, II he had heard . few
remarks Mary Ann Honghlihsu made
when. after working At Deacon Lees I
couple OF weeks, she announced her inten'
tiop Of lssving.
''t3hurs it's . good missus 70 are. mum.
% everything 10 plissnt an foine like
around; but me ripitstion ~ cook Is what
Ia not like 10 lose; there's many place
where the master has sinse enough. saving
yer prisencc. muml 10 know how il takes
wood to build the Are. an not TO tell 70,
4 guess ye can be pickln' up something
TO last ye the day, when iver ye seak Of
the want Of stick for the days bskin'.
But don't worrit yourself Ill be spskin Of
1t outside. for it's many kind word ye've
given me, an Mary Ann HoolihAn niver
will forgit that sane.
And she was ss good as her word. No
one but Ksiie's half sister, Jessie. suspect
I'd that there was any reason for her lesv-
ing.
After that Mrs. Lee did her own work,
md never complaining to the Deacon, who.
always found his meals we'll cooked, never
Inquiring how they became so; and, as
lime rolled on. his confidence in her ability
10 "pick up some pieces around the yard"
grew so great it seemed 10 have crowded
vi knowledge Of the use Of an axe out Of
,is head; for beyond drawing up . lot Of
I'D rails, when be put 10 his new wire
ences. be left the getting Of the wood as
yell as building the fires. entirely to
Katie.
People driving by admired the well
Iept yard. aud said to each other what
leat man Deacon Lee was. TO keep every
hip and piece Of wood picked up-never
|reaming how Katie searched for every
tray bit that might make kindling, dodg-
ng behind shrubs, or into the house when
be saw . carriage approaching, for fear
be occupants would see how she was en-
'loyed, and censure the Descon for his
eglect.
Crest things from little causes flow"
nd so il Was that the Deacon owed his
TO call made by Jessie and
riend one cold day 10 spring. The FIRE
ot low and Mrs Lee. excuslng herself for
moment, left the room. leaving her little
hree year old girl in Jessie's care. The
hid played about the room for moment,
hen. taking hold OF the window sill with
er chubby hands. raised herself up and
,oked out.
Mas tuttin wood. she said. as Jessie
,oked at her, she's tuttin wood
Miss Davis was talking and did not mo-
ce; but Jessie did, and the words con.
rmed suspicion she bad had for some
me. She had found 1t hard to be enter
lining until Mrs. Lee came back, and after
'plenishing the fire. renewed her CONVEX
Ition with Miss Davis.
Jessie seemed very much occupied with
81 own thoughts next day Is she went
,out her work. AT asst gleam Of mis-
lief came into her eyes, aud she seemed
have arrived at some determination,
Z. as she hung up the last piece Of her
owy ironing on the clotbes.bsrs she
ought her small foot down very emphst.
ally and said:
I'm do il il ever have chance"
Her chance came that haying time,
escon Lee had nice lot Of hay to put
, and, as IL was the fashion there for the
rmers to change work. be concluded TO
we bee. Accordingly be asked mum
i OF his friends to come, and make ar
ngements for big days work.
But when he returned TO the house after
owing roadway TO the north meadow,
found that Mrs. Lee had been taken
ddenly III. The doctor was hastily sum-
,ned. who said that ii vas necessary that
B patient be kept perfectly quiet-must
be worried sbont anything -or it would
Iult in brain fever. He left two or three
tiles Of medicine and went away again.
wing the Deacon almost in danger Of
.in fever himself
What should be dor 10 spite OF bic =
ushtlessness, he dearly loved Katie. and =
8 very anxious about her. 10 addition y
his snXie,y. we're the thoughts OF The u
, aud the care OF bis little girl and sick
'e. What wonder that bis face Was very 8
we ss be leaned over his wife. ssking IL 81
no vU anything be could do or get for
ie hsd her welfare too much st heart 10 Of
one wordrthst would worry her, 30 d
en- she began &c speak Of her work be &C
sed ber forehead snd told her that Won
sll right. Bot be was rclived when
meniiosed Jessie; be vent 10 tue vim e.
, st once. 10 watch for some one passing y
whom be could send word; but. ss no v
cane. he ~M obliged to have little ni
4 90 for the nearest neighbor TO stay si
4 Y.,,. ~k,Ia k. ~ant .ftxv L..