Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-02-14

ask you only; and the fellows bet on
it. They are to give you ten dollars
and to two or three widows in the
town a cord of wood each. if | succeed
ed in asking you this question alone,
and making sure your wife does not
know my business until after break
fast tomorrow morning"
Cults knew his wife's standing too
well to feel very sensitive-and TAX
ing the bill from the stranger, he smil-
ed and said:-"I'll go with you to look
out cedar posts and keep dark. for
the Jokes sake; but | don't know as
she'll let me stay in the house to-
night | don't own it," replied the
good-natured Cults
Suppose you go to the place and
see to setting the posts | will send
a boy to tell her you had to go off
suddenly, on a little business, and
will be back in the morning said
the stranger.
"Tll do that" replied Cults for !
never quarrel with her. but let her
have her own way. | don't want to
worry myself about trihes."
Good man." said the stranger.
there are no triles in this life. The
smallest act is important. and that
easy good nature of yours will ruin
your family. Battle that spirit to-day
and next Sunday take your boy
and go to the house of Cod whatever
she says. and be a real man-at the
head of your own house and family"
IT'S rather late to begin" said
Cults. shaking his head in a way that
would have warned others from the
trap in which his feet were fast.
you see the purse is hers he add
ed. THAT has been a crueler fetter
than her will to me. But | will try
to begin anew. for her good and the
children's.'
The boy was sent with the message
but the boy wasn't sharp enough.
Madame Cults discovered the where
abouts of her lord, tackled up, and
went after him.
All the way home and far into the
night, she used her eloquence. both
in pleadings and threatenings, to find
out the mysterious errand Of that hate
full nabob that had come into the coun-
try to separate happy families.
But Cults yielded himself up to
dumb spirit for the night and no meas.
ures could induce him to talk on any
subject lest she should pry the mighty
secret out of him.
About midnight she wore herself
out. and went to sleep; but at day
break she began again. He then ven
tured to say, "As soon as breakfast is
over I'll break the news to you"
you'll never eat a meal in my
house, I can tell YOU" cried Xantippe
"till you have told me what the man
wanted of you"
s''rbaD you'll yrait pooJ ,rhi1a +c
hear it," said Cults. for have vowed
I'd never tell it till had first eaten
my breakfast" and with these words
he went out
Ma'am Cults endured the torture
as long as possible. and then got break
fast. She called to the door to no
one in particular. Come"
But Cults didn't come. After
awhile she went out to the barn and
found him seated on an upturned half
bushel measure, calmly peeling and
eating a raw turnip.
1T does seem as If this here man
had possessed you, Your breakfast
is coolin': do come in"
Here was a point gained.
Cults went in as required and ate
his breakfast When that was over.
madam settled herself back in her
chair. with her face full of eager ex-
pectation, apd said
Now begin. What did that ere
man want?"
He wanted some cedar posts" re-
piled Cults. calmly, without looking
up; and that was all"
If an arrow had struck Ma'am Cults
she could not have manifested more
surprise and shame.
Il am the laughing stock of this
town" added Cults, and from this
hour I turn over a new leaf. I'm
henceforth the head of my family
and unless this house is made mine.
| shall finish off a room in the barn
which is mine-and you will be well
come to share it with me- If not.
I'll live there with my boys. and you
will find me a civil neighbor"
Ma'am Cults power was broken.
Since then the farm has been called
John Cults place" and he's the head
of the house.