The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-02-10

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God will help us. mother, wait and see
Poor Phebe, she never had realized how
much they had all depended on the arms
now folded over the heart never TO beat
again. The girl would so out in the small
stable, ard laying her head on the horses
shoulder, sob and cry as if her heart
would break. She dared not cry at home,
for her mother was broken in her health
and spirits, and never ceased to mourn for
her boy. All the work of the family de-
volved upon Phebe, who was obliged to
keep her wits about her. The little money
Tom had saved was nearly gone; after the
summer winter would follow, and what
would become of them?
Somebody had advised her to break mp
the little home, put her younger brothers
away, and find something to do in a neigh
boring city, but Phebe repealed the thought
with something like anger. She had had
am offer for the horse and cart and her
brothers business, and had almost made
up her mind to accept it.
But when the money is all gone where
shall We get mores" she asked herself,
when all at once a way ont of her diff
Guilty was made clear. The idea came to
her one night when she suddenly awoEe to
find the moon shining in, white and clear,
making every object visible.
why. wonder | haven't thought Of it
before, she exclaimed aloud.
Thought of what?' said her mother
who, it seemed, was also awake.
"A plan, dear mother. which seems to
me full of promise. | can't sell Toms
horse. dear old fellow | am sure Tom
wouldn't want me to. and as ! walked mp
just now it occurred to me how We could
keep him. What's the nse of having
health and strength if you can't pnt them
to some account %
What are you thinking OF, my dear?'
her mother asked. 4 don't see how re can
keep Dobbin. Ii costs us something every
day, though fortunately the hay is not all
gone. 1t looks dark ahead. don't see
" utb VIC 'tit Sothf5 " VIZ.
But | do said Phebe. at least I see
what am going TO do. III go over and
talk with Jenny about it, poor girl, and
think it will meet with her approval. |
don't know what you will say, but as lay
thinking things over it occurred to me that
I am perfectly acquainted with Tom 5
route, having gone with him often when
was younger, and so why not start out on
the business myself?'
'Oh Phcber exclaimed her mother in a
distressed voice, you couldn't, it's a mans
business
But don t see why couldn't make it
a woman's business. It's not hard and !
am young and strong and healthy. Then
We could keep Dobbin, and in time could
make as much money as Tom
4 never heard of such thing, feebly
demonstrated her mother.
That may be, but if We want TO keep
the children together and have a home, |
don't see any other way. Atall events I'll
try if you only say may
well, you must do as You think best;
only it seems to me so strange, SO kind of
unnatural, murmured her mother, to
think of your going from house to house
with tin ware, ont in the country, too
Every body knows Toms wagon, and
they used oftener to come out to him, said
Phebe. He has made himself reputa-
ton, and. although it will be new, and per
haps for time little awkward, | don't
see any other way open. II would kill me
to sew: can't keep school; aud we must
have food to eat and clothes to wear. Ia
few years little Jimmy can take the bust
ness il we can only make living till
then
The news ran through the village like
wild fire when Phebe Palmer set her rcso-
lutte little face busincssward behind old
Dobbin. Some praised and some con
demned.
It's lucky she's so homely, sighed an
old crone.
'Homely,' spoke mp poor Toms betroth-
ed, with tears in her eyes; 'Phebe Palmer
is as beautiful as All angel.
And Phebe must have been beautiful
certainly to the angels as she SO bravely
took up the burden she had set herself to
bear. IL seemed almost as if Tom were
with her, Guiding and helping her, though
without words or visible presence. And
certainly greater than he helped her to
bear the burden.
'Deary me and you have taken Mr..
Palmer's business? said woman who at
the sight of natty red and white wagon
which had been Toms pride, came Quito
Che roadside. "Well, I'm snrc yen have
got good courage; but we'll all lend You
helping hand. Mr. Palmer was a great
favorite with everybody that knew him,
and sad enough it was to hearof his taking
off in such a cruel, hard way. Why bless
Your little heart, she added, wiping her
eyes with her cheek apron, wen buy
twic as much foi his sake
And so they did. Everybody was kind.
AT this house she must have a cup Of
coffee-her brother always did-at that
bite of luncheon, and it seemed as if every
body made their purchases as large as pos
sible for Toms sake. Phebe found it
t.um1 H.. oo,i- Che cnnfasead IL. her