The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-12-30
Selected storm.


q
which had covered Ashbel's still form,
while mortgages for the full value of
the farm were recorded on the other
side. Ashbel had been considered fore
handed. His neighbors said he "spec-
ulated West" aud were astonished
when his death revealed the fact that
he had sacrificed all in an endeavor to
save some shreds of his financial repu-
tation.
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
death-lhe 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.
+" We can save the farm" she said.
amanda, you can keep the district
school; Israel and l will carry on the
farm. We must all stand together"
For twenty years they were posse ssed
of that one thought, urged by that one
motive-to pay the debt They stood
together twenty years, and at the end
of that time they owed no man any
thing. The mother looked scarcely
day older. The work of directing bad
kept her faculties fresh and vigorous.
But son and daughter had passed from
anticipative youth into dulled middle
age. The debt, INSCRIPTIONS and avari-
cious, had left them no enjoyment. 1t
had robbed them of life's most desirable
part.
When Amanda was twenty she was
called pretty. Gatherings had been in
complete without her. After that, she
never attended another. The atten-
tions of young men, which came I'M
solicited, were refused. Now she had
become thin and sallow. She knew she
could hope for no return of loves plea
sures. If a thought of marriage crowded
itself upon her, she shook it off as I'M
welcome. She could give up her school
now, and devote her time to home, to
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 sud-
denly. He would make some needed
improvements on the place. The house
should have coat of paint. He stood
in the sunshine, 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 it 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 sister,
and said, bluntly, 81 am going to be
married to Harriet Downer."
There was silence for long moment;
then his mother said coldly: "We
know it," By the tone and attitude,
Israel knew 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-
morrow. Shall you be there?" And
his mother answered, "No."
But Israel would keep his VOW to
Harriet The twenty years. struggle
had cultivated in him the logged reso-
luton inherited 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 be.
nd h1r ohal1 afo
here" said his mother.
Israel looked about, dazed He re-
membered afterwards that he saw a
stove, with pots and pans and dishes,
and in the other room bed, a table
and chairs. The two women had made
all preparations for living by them
selves.
And this was the BRIDES home-com-
ingl
Yet the married two lived 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 under
stood his motive, and resolutely hid all
traces of pain. Life for each was as
the other made it.
There Was no communication between
IHC IWO paris vi iuC uOuot, anu uO ueS-
sages passed, no visits were exchanged.
Thus for two years, when 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.
Your son and grandson" he re-
piled.
There was slight noise and 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 can't take the baby out in the
dew" she objected.
IA IL.