Year: 1867

W


1t was cold, sharp evening in December.
The snow lay thick on the ground ;the wind
bowled bleak and shrill across the hills aud
through the leatiess branches of the trees
the stars shone out with double brightness
in the frosty sky there was no moon, but
the whitened road sent back the cheerful glow
from windows where the roaring fire flashed
cheerfuly through the red curtains, giving a
rare promise of warmth and comfort within.


Nowhere was such promise better fulfill
ed than i'll the snug cottage of Dick Weay
er, where fire and lamp burned brightly, re-
fecting In the gllttering potllds and we'll
rubbed tirelrons, and in the clean delf
plates and dishes ranged upon the shelves.
The curtains were drawn the small stools
and odd ends OF rough p!aythlngs were all
in their places for the night; the merry
laugh and childish prattle were hushed, for
it Was past ths youngster' bed time, and
they were all asleep, dreaming, no doubt,
Of the plans OF the morrw, and realizing Wis
ions of unal Dyed fun and frolic.


AT the table, by the light of the amp,
sat the good mother-mistress of the snug
eottage-Dlck' faithful wife, engaged in
mending some unlucky rents, or administer
ils sons needfui patch. Opposite her
hat Dick, who had just laid down the papers
lie had been reading and nearer to the biaz-
inx fire sat Bob Foster, neighbor and fell
low-work man of Weaver.


We'll, said Dick, after pause, thank
Heavenl | never was guilty Of that sin.
BAD al was, never had to reproach my
rrlt with raising my hand against my own
flesh aai blood; harsh word vas the
worst, l believe, and that bad enough but
thanks to goodness no worse.


Aye" said Bob, 8 tbs what l have of
ten wished TO ask you, Weaver"


"WeIi, neightor, Id been glad enough
10 tell you how and the wherefore before
his, and tor the good OF those to whom IT
might serve, but the fact is, my wife has a
share in it, you see ; and though there Is
nought to be ashamed of, she always bids
lne hush when would speak. But will
tell you Bob, if it is only she may have her
due; for am tired of hearing praise given
to me for what was all owing TO her. No,
10, Mary, the baby is all right he is not
crylng-but there she's off | | knew how
It twould b6 she will not stay TO hear her
own praise, 30. neighbor, We will have 1t to
ourselves"


Il need not go back to tell you what
was year ago. There was not any in the
village but knew that pretty we'll Old
Jinks at the Blue Moon knew me for his best
customer; and the color of my money,
fancy, was better known to him than to the
baker, the butcher, or the shoemaker here
sbouts


Aye, Bob, man as | am, and doubly
usn as t FEEL since joining with your lot, |
could fain cry like child when | think of
the evenings and the nights, the halt days
aud odd hours that | have sotted away
there of the gold cash, and that time as
good, and OF the strngth and health that old
fellow has had ont of me for his gain.


As you say, you did try all your hardest
to get me among you and l will not say
but at times your talk set me thinking, and
i)r while [ would see the folly of my ways,
and wish only could make up my mind to
come among you. But you see, Foster,
there was another party on the other side
that talked as loud and showed as many rea-
sons for their doings and | felt some way a
shamed at breaking with them l felt as if it
would be showing myself wanting III manll-
ness and so forth


You will remember, Bob, that was not
Used to be in liquor, any way rlotous or abu-
'Te; 1t was just sot, sos, and waste and
sTend, and negecting home with the best
vie ever man had, pining and wearing her
sef out, and, as was natural, even she
would be put out at times Then there
would be words, and off would go to jerks
and the drunken lot there


1t is over fifteen months now, Bob, and
vas Justin the fall of the year, remem-
Ter the evening as if it was yesterday
came in muzzy and stupid; but not quite so
bad as usual, and l mind well how | was
struck with the look of the place; it was all
. clean and light; the fire burning clear, as
10 ike to see; the hearth swept ), the ket-
We singing on the hob, and her in the CHIN
9ey corner, in clean cotton gown, all SO IT,
and sweet looking, stitching away, too, at
ny old jacket; and all so quiet, tor. the
Youngsters were abed, and the baby had not
"ne me then you know.


II stood looking in bit at the door, L
@qd not help thinking how nice il all was
ias fid what difference to the place | had just
RI with its stencil of smoke and beer, and
,ne gathering of the fellows, and jokes not
%pgf p decent, and all such like Then l
II .INYked at Polly's face, and it struck me like
saat ,aiat once how pale it was to what it used
so., sS9e only year or TWO back, and | did not
sel ss altogether right in myself, I'll assure


90 walked in, and my wife, instead of just
','king I'D and down AGAIN at her work, as