Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-08-28
TWO DEBTS.

TWO DEBTS.
When Ashbel Dean died, and his earthly
debts and credits were looked into, it was
discovered that the credit page was nearly
as spotess as the sheet that had covered
Ashbels still form, while mortgages for
the full value of the farm were recorded on
the other side. Ashbel had been consider
ed forehanded His neighbors said he
"speculated West" and were astonished
when his death revealed the fact that he
had sacrificed all in an endeavor to save
some shreds of his financial reputation.
None were more surprised than his own
family. This included the widow, and
Amanda and Israel, twins, twenty years
old. They were crushed They shrank
from it as from the presence of the death
the first one-in the family. For days they
dared not speak of it, but it was always in
their thoughts. At last the widow reused
her energies, and summoned her children.
1--WE can save the farm she said.
'Manda, you can keep the district school;
Israel and will carry on the farm. We
must all stand together
For twenty years they We're possessed of
that one thought, urged by that one mo-
tive-to pay the debt.
They stood together for twenty years,
and at the end of that time they owed no
man anything.
The mother looked scarcely a day older.
The work of directing had kept her fac
ulties fresh and vigorous. But son and
daughter had passed from anticipative
youth into dulled middle age. The debt
INSCRIPTIONS and avaricious, had left them
no enjoyment. 1t had robbed them of
life's most desirable part.
When Amanda was twenty she was call
ed pretty. Gatherings had been incom-
plete without her. After that, she never
attended another. The attentions of young
men, which came unsolicited, were refused.
Now she had become thin and sallow.
She knew she could hope for no return of
loves pleasures. If thought of marriage
crowded itself upon her, she shook it off as
unwecOme. She could give up her school
now, and devote her time to home, to her
mother and brother.
And Israel was free. He took long
breath and stood up straight, easing his
CALLED shoulders of the burden they had
just cast off. Life looked pleasant sudden
ly He would make some needed improve
ments on the place. The house should
have a coat of paint. He stood in the sun
shine, and, looking up through the June
foliage of the naples, thought the seed
pods looked like the legs of so many elfn
painters dangling there painting the sky.
Then he laughed at himself, and said he
must be getting young and frisky.
When he was twenty he had thought to
be married. Now, at forty, he thought of
ii again. When he stopped his visits to
Harriet Downer, she understood why. She
had had no company" he told himself
since then, and his heart gave great
bound at the thought. Why should he
not?
One day he came to his mother and sis
ter, and said, bluntly, 81 am going to be
married to Harriet Downer."
There was silence for a long moment;
then his mother said coldly, 1--WE know it"
BY the tone and attitude Israel under
stood that his mother and sister would not
welcome the woman he meant to marry.
He understood that they thought the tie of
constant effort of the past twenty years as
binding as wedlock, and did not wish it
broken.
But once after that Israel spoke of his
marriage 81 am to marry Harriet to-mor-
row. Shall you be Thereof
And his mother answered, mo"
But Israel would keep his vow to Harri-
ct. The twenty years struggle had cult
waited in him the logged resolution inherit
ed from his mother
He married Harriet, and after a week
brought her home. No one appeared to
greet them
Mother" he called, as he went through
the house In two remote rooms he found
his mother and sister.
Harriet is out there, said he.
"And we are here; we shall stay here, -
said his mother
Israel looked about dazed. He remem-
bered afterwards that he saw a stove, with
and and Jishae IL, 1,aY
room bed, a table and chairs. The two
women had made all preparations for living
by themselves.
And this was the brides Homecoming!
Yet the married two lived a happy life
together. Israel felt keenly the mental
misery his wife must endure and strove to
alleviate it by every kindly attention in his
power, and she understood his motive, and
resolutely hid all traces of pain. Life for
each was as the other made it.
There was no communication between
the two parts of the house. and no mes
sages passed, no visits were exchanged.
Thus for two years. VIXEN a baby was
born. Then one day Harriet said to Israel
Take the baby, and go to your mother"
He understood and taking the child in his
arms, went and knocked at the door.
'Who is it?' said his mothers voice.
'HOur son and grandson" he replied
There was slight noise and a pause
within. Then Amanda said, "We are too
busy to see YOU
He returned, and laid the baby by his
wife. She did not need to question him by
word or eye.
Two years more went by. One morning
Israel called his wife to come down into the
garden. He had some vegetable wonder to
show her.
but l can't take the baby out in the
dew" she objected
Leave him where he is. He'll do no
harm for five minutes"
Then toddle, toddle away-the little feet
knew the path that was forbidden them
straight on through the unused passage
way to the door at the end. He pushed
and shufiied babily against it,
whats that queer noise at the door,
'Manda?"