Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-06-24

tried to conciliate him, the more insolent
and overbearng he became
By degrees somewhat of this bad spirit
began to communicate itself to Robin, and
though still far more sinned against than
SHINING, yet he was not entirely free from
blame. The constant indulgence of this
envious rivalry between the two families was
also heavy tax upon Robins purse; and
he found every month that he could spare
less and less to his poor pensioners
Things were in this state, and the year
was drawing to close, when Robin and Al
ice received an invitation to grand enter
tainment which Walter was about to give in
honor of the christening of his first SON.
Alice was prevented, by slight indisposi-
ton, from being of the party; and, indeed
she was not sorry, for her intercourse with
the Collins family had become anything but
pleasant to her.
AS Robin babe his wife farewell, she beg
ged him not to forget to return before
twelve; 'for remember" said she, "to-night
your third request is to be made" Robin
sighed, as he thought how much happier and
better he had been year before, and he
said almost sullenly, "I shall ask nothing
more"
When Robin arrived at Elm Lodge, he
found preparations on a most magnificent
scale for splendid banquet. His host re-
ceived him in the presence of the other
guests with condescending air, and then
utterly neglected him. Well would it have
been for both had he continued to do so
but, after dinner, when the ladies had retir-
ed, and Walter had, in some degree, become
heated with the wine which was circulating
freely, he seemed to delight in making Rob-
in the object ofhis insolent sarcasms; sheer
succeeded sneer, and one insulting jest was
followed by another. Robins generous for
bearancc was attributed to cowardice, and
only served to embitter Walters unmanly
attacks upon his character and conduct AT
length, when some coarse personality, direc-
ted against Robin, had drawn upon him the
ridicule of the now halfntoxcated guest,
he leaned across the corner of the table
which separated him from Collins, and SAID
in an under tone, do not carry this toe
far, Walter, or you may repent it."
Walter started from his seat, pale with
rage; and, pointing with his outstreatched
finger to Robin, he exclaimed, Listen, my
friends; this base-born scoundrel threatens
me! he tells me shall repent. Look at
him; and l will tell you ,cho he is who dares
to insult gentleman in his own house He
is founding brat, brought up to the trade
of cobbler, and rescued from starvation BY
a fairy-godfather."
A smile of contempt passed from one
guest to another, and they looked as much
as to say-"I thought so?'
But they had no time for comments. Rob-
in, who was now as much beside himself
with passion as his enemy, had also risen
from his seat, and, with his eyes flashing
and lips quivering, he cried" Coward!
do not hurl thee from thy pinnacle ofpride
and crush thee in the dust, because have
sweeter vengeance in store. Think Of me
Tomorrow % Saying this he strobe from
the apartment
Walter concealed his inward trepidatior
under smile of derision; and turning t.
an attendant, ordered him to " see that m al
safe out of the premises"
Robin walked rapidly home with " fir,
in his heart, and a fire in his BRAIN" II,
arrived at his own house just as the hour o
twelve was sounding from the clock of tn,
village church. All was calm and peaceful
around; the soft moon-beams played owe
the ivy clad tower, and glittered on the whit,
graves below but Robin needed it not oil
he rushed with frantic steps, and at length
he reached the vaulted chamber The fai
ny was already there. Robin paused not tC
observe the dim light of the starry belt, O.
the mournful expression of his visitor coun
tenance but, with voice hardly articulat,
from passion, he exclaimed-"I demand o
thee to take from Walter Collins the wealth
he has so misused, and plunge him in hi
former poverty"
The light waned yet more dim; and the
fairy's countenance assumed an awful stern
ness, as he said" Thy pish is gremted !"
The fairy disappeared: and Robin sanl
down in a state of insensibilty upon thu
stone floor.
But too soon, alas Robin recovered from
his trance. 1t was morning and, as he b,
degrees recovered his senses and looked a
round, he became aware of the dreadful
change which had taken place
He lay on his old mattress, in his old cot
tage, surrounded by poverty and want
Poor Alice was calmly sleeping, unconsciou
of the SORROW that awaited her. The wall
ings of her child aroused her from dream
of peace and Joy. She gazed at the SAL
scene too much bewildered fully to compre
bend it but the mournful truth was sool
too evident to her; and Robin, amidst tear
aud bitter selfreproaches, told her all tina
had happened-how he had fostered and in
dulged his growing hatred of Walter, till
was ready to burst forth at the first provo
cation; and how, blinded by passion, he ha
forgotten the fairy's precept, and wished tn
fatal wish-W to his neighbour
Alice could not restrain her tears, but sh
loved her husband too we'll to reproac
him with an error of which he had alread
so deeply repented. She arose from he
humble couch, attired herself once more IL
the coarse garments of poverty, and thel
endeavored by her caresses to soothe tn
clamorous sorrow of her little boy, who wa
CRYING loudly for his breakfast.
Whilst Alice was thus employed, she wa
startled by something falling at her feet
and to her great Joy, she beheld her purse
How il came there she never knew Prob
ably the fairy had relented so far as to gran
this small supply for their immediate wants
it contained two or three gold coins an
some silver Little, indeed, but yet stuff
cient to save them from perishing with war
before Robin could earn ANYTHING by his Ia