The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-11-27
aHnmnb y, said DR.. Ailesburv. I,

"Humph!" said DR.. Allesbury, "IH
speak to Joe about that"
And that afternoon. when Ellen and
Mrs. DR.. Ailesbury were gone to look at
a pretty cascade in the woods, the old
man had long talk with his cousins
son.
At the end of the week Joe went back
to the Ailesbury farm.
"Well, I'm glad ye've got through
gallivanting,' said the old man with a
long breath of relief. "All the farm
work is behind, and Berenice Stubs
amt worth half what she used to be. l
hope your wife is prepared to take right
hold of the butter and the poultry
and"
mo, father, she isn't" said Joe val
iantly. ELLEN isn't very strong, and she
has never been used to the hardships of
farm life."
"What did you marry herfor snarled
the old man.
'To be my companion and friend,
father, not my drudge and servant"
"YOur mother wasn't above work"
"My mother was dead and buried, sir,
at the age of thirty-wOrn out. as all the
her life Yeur second wife, too, was a
intend to lay Ellen in the churchyard at
their side"
Mr.. Ailesbury's brow darkened.
81 won't have no one in the house
who don't earn their board" said he.
every WE'LL" said Joe. "We'll rent
the little Barrow house down Locust lane.
1t will be handy to my WORK at the car
riage factory, and Ellen shall have a
strong servant to help her with the
house."
Old Ailesbury started up, forgetful of
his infrmities.
"Joe," said he, brandishing his crutch,
elf you've been such fool as to marry
a mere wax DOLL
Just here his foot slipped; he fell, a
dead, heavy weight, his head against the
sharp edge of the table. The sentence
was never finished.
y = n
"a month later!'' cried the old man,
in cracked voice; "a month since had
that fall! Then must have been out of
my mind. | must have had q fever"
well, guess you just have" said
Berenice.
And who took care o. me?''
Mrs. Joe to be sure. Night and day.
| amt 10 hand at nursin' sick people,
and there was a hull week some one had
to sit up all night with you"
But that slim, pale-faced creature
never done it?'
Eyes, she did. She said you was Joe's
father, and there was somethin' about
your eyes an forbid, as you LAID asleep,
that reminded her o him. And she
wouldn't leave you minute"
EGnn1 bloc. 10 Ill
turning his face away with a curious
thrill at his heart.
joe" said he, when his son came in
a few hours later, "rve been very sick?"
Eyes, father
"And they tell me l nearly died"
"They tell you the truth, father"
"The doctor says if it hadn't been for
your wife I'd IA been under the church.
yard sod by now"
II believe it is so, father"
Joe, she's an ANGELO
Don't know it sir?''
"Joe, I'm sorry said all those things
about her. Do you suppose, Joe, she'd
stay here if I'd hire a gal to do all the
rough work."
"Wo have planned, sir, to move into
the Barrow cottage, and :"
DuJ YOU IuUSln w Jldt, jug
can't feel to let her CO." urged the old
man. "All the luck would go out of
the house, once the door closed on her.
Ask her to say, Joe. Tell her"
The door opened softly. Ellie herself
came in.
Father, do You want me to stay?'
she whispered.
"God knows that | do, child
g.
That selfsame evening Berenice
Stubs was engaged to remain perma-
nently as hOuse-worker and general fac
totum.
Eyes, I'll undertake all that" said
she. Mrs. Joe maynt know much
about housekeepin', but there's lots be-
side housekeepin' in the world. Mrs.
Joe can do things can't"
And Ellie took her place as queen of
the little home kingdom.
Your wife must be a wonderful per-
son, joe" said the squire, next week.
"YOur father is never weary of singing
her praises, and Berenice Stubs never
heard word in her disfavor. And of
all the people that | know, your father
and Berence are the hardest to please.
Pray, is Mrs. Joe an enchantress?"
"Well, rather think she u.s." said Joe.