Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-22

taches 10 the open exercise Of an honorable pro-
feeslon. The owner of the chapel is a usurer, or
money -ender-no speculation answers so well as
this snug property. The ranter exhibits to his
audience once week-the place is crowded
when ne appears on the stage--deserted when lie
is absent, and his place il occupied by one who
fears, perhaps, TO tamper with his Gods hum
be, honest, quiet. The crowds who throng to
listen to the one, and will not hear the other, pro-
Tess TO worship God in what they dare 10 call his
sanctuary, and look with pity on such as have not
courage 10 unite in all their hidious mockery."
Right or wrong 1t was evident that Michael
was in earnest. lie spoke warmly, but with a
natural vehemence that by no means Js6gured
his good looking visage, now illuminated with
unusual fire. In these days of holowness aud
hypocrisy, an irgenuOus, straightforward charac-
ter is a refreshing spectacle, and commands our
admiration, DO the principles they represent just
what they may. Hence, possibly, the unaffected
pleasure with which Margaret listened to her Wis
tor while he detained against men and things
previously regarded by her with reverence and
awe. lie certainly was winning on her esteen
Women are the strongest beings! Let them
guard against these natural and imperuous charac-
tiers, say |. Tho business papers lay very quietly
on the table while the conversation flowed rs
easily into another channel. Poets and poetry
were again the subject of discourse and here
again our Michnel was certainly at home The
dspleasure which he had formerly exhibited
passed like cloud from his brow he grew eat-
ed criticised writer after writer recited compost
tons, illustrated them with verses from the French
and German repeated his own modest attempts
at TRANSACTIONS gave his nearer an idea of Goethe,
INLAND, Wieand, and the smaller fry of German
poets, and pursued his theme, in short, until lis
tener and reciter both were charmed and grali6ed
beyond expresson-she, with his talents and his
manuers-he with her patience and attention, and,
perhaps her face aud figure
MIR Allcraft. Junior. after having DrOceeded in
the above fashion for abo 1t three hours, suddenly
recolected that he had made few appointments
at the banking house. He looked at his watch,
and discovered that he was just two hours behind
the latest. Both blushed, and looked ridiculous.
He rose however, and took his leave, asking and
receiving her permission TO pay another visit on
the following day, for the purpose of arranging
their eternal business matters" Things take
ugly shapes in the dark tree, an object OF grace
and beauty in the meridian sun, is giant spectre
in the gloom Of night.
Thoughts of death are holder and more start
ling on the midnight pillow than in the MONDAY
walk. Our vices " hich are the pasme ofthe draw
ing room, become the bugbears of the silent bed
chamber. Margaret, when she would have slept,
was haunted by reproaches, which waited until
then to agitate and Brighten her. sense of i'm
propriety and siniuness started in her bosom,
and convinced her OF an offence objectionable
| in her sght-against the blessed memory of Mil
had made favorable impresslon-one that must
be obiterated at and forever, if she hoped for
| happiness for spiritual repose.
She had listened to his imprisoned tones with
real delight; had gazed upon his bright and
beaming countennnce ill her eyes had stolen
away the image anu fixed it upon her heart. Not
| that year had elapsed since the generous Mil
| dred had been committed TO the earth, aud could
she so soon rebel--so easily forget his princeIy
conduct, md permit his picture to be supplnnted
! in her breast Oh, impossible! 1t was griev-
Gus fauI:. She acknowledged it with her warm
tears and vowed Margaret was disposed to vow
TOO readily OH most occasions) that she would
,se roproved, repen,ant, md faithful to her duty.
les, ana The earnest creature leaped from her
couch aud prayed for strength and help to resist
The sore temptation nor did she visit il ugain I'M
III she ielt the strong assurance that her victory
| was gained and her future peace secured. IL ID
greatly TO be feared that the majority of persons
who make resolutions, Imagine that oil their work
is done the instant the Viruous determination ID
formed. Now, the tnct is that the real work is
not even begun; and il exerlion he suspended al
the point at which il is most needed, the resoIute
individual is in greater danger of miscarriage lhau
if lie had not resolved al all. 1 do believe thai
Margaret received Michael on the following day
without deemiDg il in The slightest degree incum
bent upon her 10 act on the defensive. She es'
tab!ished herself behind her decision and hel
| prayers, and relying upon such Notifications
would not permit The idea Of danger. child
might have prophesied The result Michael wa:
always at her side -Nlargare's departure from the
cottage was postponed day after day. Srhe youth
who in truth ardently and truly loved the gentle
widow, had no joy away from her. He supplied
her with books, the choice OF which did credit tc
his refinement aud taste. Sometimes she perus
ed them alone-sometimes he read aloud to her
His own hand culled her flowers and placed thu
offering on her tnble. He met her in her walks =
he taught her botany-he sketched her favoritt
views -ho was devoted to her, heart and soul. -
And she-but they are sitting now together aftei
a months acquaintance, aud the reader shall Judge
OF Margaret by what he sees. 1t is day for low
ers The earth is balhed in light, and southerl,
breeZes, such as revive the dying and cheer the
heavy hours with promises of amendment and re
covery, temper the fire that streams from the un
couded sun.
In the garden Of the cottage, in a secluded par
OF it, there is n summer house-cal it beauty
bower-wiih Margaret within and honeysuckIe
cemalls and the passion flower, twining and in
tertwining, kissing and embrac ing, around, above
below, on every side. There they ure sitting =
lie reads hooh-and paragraph has touched
chord in one OF the young hearts, to which in:
other has responded. She moves her foot uncon
sciousiy along the floor Her downcast eyes al
unconsciously following it, He dares to raise hi
look, and with a papaiing heart observes I'll,
color in her cheek, which tells him that the hear
is vanquIshed and the prize is won. lie tries tt
read again, but eyesight fails him, and his hand il
shaken like a leaf. His spirit expands, his hear
grows confident, and rash he knows not what ht
does-he cannot be held back, though death be til,
punishment if he goes on-he touches the sof
hund-ln all instant The dropping and almost life
less Margaret drawn 10 his breast, faslens Their,
and sobs. She whispers TO him TO be gone-he
clanmy hand is pressing him 10 stay.
CHAPTER VIA DEATH AND DISCOVERY.
am really Inclined to believe, after all, tina
the best mode of finally extngnishing sorrow ior
dead husband, 10 10 listen quietly to the reasona-
BILE pleas Of live lover Alter the scene TO which
il has been my painful task to allude, in the las
chapter, II would have been the very height O
prudery on the part of the lady and gentleman
had they avoided speaking on subject in which
they had become SO deeply interested. They dil