Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-01
CHI A p II L Il TX.

scout, out brief candle "-Saakspeare.


Twelve months have passed twelve
months Twelve letters sum them up, but
oh ! what worlds of hopes and fears, sorrows
and Joys, are bounded in the words
Twelve months have passed, and how?
Thus
The legend of Saint Mark seemed strange
ly, awfully borne out. The " sheeted dead
had, as they each supposed, appeared to the
several terrified visitors to the old church
yard and the thought of the approaching
dissolution of the formerly contendng par
ties had the most salutary results. Small
acts of kindness, at first performed from
the questionable feeling that it couldn't
be for long," became in short time habit
ual, positive pleasures. Oh how deeply was
every past unkind thought, word and look,
regretted
Sir Methusalah would gaze for hours on
his young and beautiful wife, and brood
over the slightest tone which had formerly
thrilled upon his heart and as the bitter
conviction that he must lose her rushed to
his mind, the hot tears would gather in his
eyes and foretaste of his coming desola-
ton make him culver with exquisite agony
and Lady Rust would rivet her sweet blue
eyes upon his face, and as busy memory re-
called his nobleness to herself, his generosi-
ty to her family, his forbearance at her I'M
worthy petulance, and the business of his
kind circumstances, whitening shudder
would rush through her heart, as she thought
on the fatal omen she had seen, and she
would throw herself, sobbing, into his arms,
and in the deep recesses of her soul, implore
Heaven to spare
so good, SO noble and kind n man"
John Thomas's revulsion of feeling was
nothing short of marvellous. lie patronized
his quondam rival to an unheard of extent
never made the slightest alluslon to "Whlte
boys, ribbon men, or the halien act" and
desisted entirely from reading aloud-as had
been his custom and glory-all paragraphs
headed " Another barbarous murder i'll Hire
land" and TRADES against Daniel OConnell.
Con Sweeny was touched to the soul by
this very handsome conduct in what he be-
lieved to be a corpse on short leave of abb
sence He nursed John Thomas with the
gentlest assiduitv through long and severe
fit of the govt, and John Thomas returned
the compliment, if possible with interest
when the vicious Chestnut jammed Con a.
gainst the park wall and broke his arm, as
John Thomas believed merely by way of
practice to perform the same operation on
; his neck.
If it was, and who doubts it D.? pleasant
sight to see the generous affection of Sir
; Methusalah and the deep and beautiful de-
votion of my lady, it was no less delightful
to mark the honest and friendly exchange
of kindness between fat John Thomas and
= daring Con Sweeny.
J. As for Patty Pride, still plump and provo
kinglypretty as ever, thinking both her beaux
doomed to become occupants of premises
only suited for the reception of single gem
tlemen, she so subdued her coquetry, and
divided her attentions, that they more added
to the happiness than disquietude of her adj
mirers.
Thus had matters stood for twelve months
each dreading but fully expecting the death
e of the other.
G On the fatal anniversary all felt convinced
D the prediction would be fulfilled, and deter
# mined to show their respect for those about
G to depart
. 'To another and better world"
n Sir Methusalah appeared at the breakfast
i table with white face, sable suit, and sad
y heart.
If Lady Rust was in the deepest widows
weeds.
They started on seeing each others cos.
" tune they were speeches., but the tears
9 burst from my lady's eyes as she thought
l. f" this is confirming presentment."
E Sir Methusalah was well-nigh choked as
the same idea flashed across his mind.
!. you are in black Patty, darlint v'
il $50 you are, Mr.. Sweeny, and, bless my
1t heart, so is Mr.. Thomas"
"Who for 2" inquired one of the othel
4 servants.
2? ala hexcellent hndividooal," blubbereG
out John Thomas "Pd give my right 'anc
IS to save him." and as he spoke he shook Coz
h Sweeny's fist with degree of vigor tina
lie could only be exceeded by the vice-likC
{, grasp of the warm-hearted Irshman, wh'
ID sobbed out "Whateyer may happen, Ions
Id life to you, John Thomas darint; may thu
blessed angel make your bed asy it's my
self that feels more mourning in my sou
Is than kings funeral could put on my back =
Here pretty, plump Patty Pride dashe'
the fast falling tears from her swollen eyes