Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1892-12-05

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darning drops altogether, and leaning
her elbows upon the sill and her head
upon her palms, she thinks over the
/ doing Of the last few weeks. Gradu-
ally the look of care rests upon her
face again and mingled with the anx
ious look makes her show her age
indeed
There have been dark days for the
old couple of late, and to-day the hus
band has gone to the village to try
and adjust matters satisfactorily. 1t
all came upon them by Mr.. Chalmers
signing his name to a note of consid-
cradle amount for his sisters husband.
Neighbors nodded their heads and
said: tHe might have known BETTER"
and ct should think he'd soon learn
John Upon,'' but Mr.. Chalmers being
kindhearted man and in a way q
weak one, could hardly refuse the re-
quest, when by Jacks plausible words
the money to pay the note was just
about as good as earned.
In week the note became due and
NIL oiidOlHOIS IIctO SOiAO W OCO cclOh
upon this day to urge him to be ready
to meet the payment.
Mrs. Chalmers rehearses it all, then
raising her eyes she sees her husband
coming up the lane to the house, and
as she goes out to meet him at the
first she notices the look of trouble
upon his face.
ssWhat is it, Caleb?" she asked anx-
iously. He hesitated a moment, then
clearing his throat said:
"Jack has gone, no one knows
where"
go Caleb! How could he be so dis
honest?"
s'Well, he is just that dishonest. He
has gone and I must pay the note"
Chow can we Caleb, how can WEI"
'sThe Lord only knows how" he
answered bitterly. "And Jane, mark
my Words" and he grasped her arm
in his earnestness, "it's the last note
I'll sign with anyone. I've learned
lesson''
And seeming to be little relieved
he commenced to unharness his hors-
es, forgetting, in his trouble that the
buggy was not in it's accustomed
place. With heavy, tagging feet they
went about their evening work. Crop
ing as they were in the heavy dark
ness about them, like two lost little
children in the great woods at night,
they chung to each with touching love
and helplessness. No wonder their
backs bent with the load. 1t meant SO
much to them, nearing the sunset of
life. Paying the note meant borrowed
money and mortgage to back it, and
mortgage about as good as meant |
no home, and no home-why, then
nothing but the poorhouse or a life as
a town pauper remained. They were /
told to start out and make another |
home, and no child but Laura, "poor-
er than we are" they said, to offer |
shelter.
Is it any wonder that the interven-
ing days were spent in utter discour-
agement, and the nights a pattern of
the days?
But for all he suffered so much, when
the note became due, he bravely met
the demands and paid every farthing
of the debt made by another man and
it meant deprivation and
suffering, his proud head carried aloft
asked no mans aid. The acres he had
earned by the sweat of his brow, were
just held by a tiny silken thread, as it
were, which would snap in an instant
if the money was not ready when the
became due. All the way
home the farmer thought and planned
and prayed for help.
eff I could only have good crops
another year, or if I could get some
start in something else, or else =
yes, it all hangs on if, and its such a
tiny word that it don't give me bit
Of courage" and the old mans chin
rested on his bosom, while his horses
logged along SO happily, unconscious
Of the battle raging in the heart of the
silent figure, which held the slack
-eins.
AS he reached his door, dear old
Jane came out with smile. That was
her way, even if her heart was bowed
Down with grief, but the look on his
ACE surprised her, indeed.
ssWhy, Caleb, has anything good
You look SO contented and
'ested."
Eyes, Jane, there has in one way,
or I have lain my burden upon
stronger shoulders. See here, it's a
shame for us to grow clean tuckered
put bearing burden when the Lord