Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-08-25
Bread upon the Waters.
ny T. :. ARTHUR.

customer who lived a short distance in the
country. The boy was lightly built, aud
his burden was almost beyond his strength.
Many times he sat down to rest himself on
his way up the hill. But il seemed as If
he would never reach the summit. Each
lime he lifted the basket il felt heavier
than before.
The boy was about half way up the hill
with his basket, when a gentleman over.
took aud passed him. He had not gone on
many PAGES, when he stopped, and turning
round to the lad, looked at him for a mo.
Inent or two aud then said, kindly
That's a heavy load you have, my boy
come let me help you"
And the gentleman took the basket and
carried it to the top of the hill.
There, do you think you can get along
now y said he with a smile, as he sat the
basket down.-"Or shall I carry il a little
further 2"
"Ob, no. thank you, sir" returned The
boy with a glow Of gratitude on his fine
young face. 81 can carry ii now very we'll
and | am very much obliged 10 you"
you are RICH, welcome. my little man."
said the gentleman, and passed on.
Twenty years from that time, a care
worn man, we'll advanced in life, sat motion.
less in an old arm chair, with his eyes tx
ed intently upon the glowing CRATE. lie
was alone aud appeared TO be in a state OF
deep abstraction. In a little while, howev-
er, the door Of the room opened aud the
light form of a young and lovely girl glid.
ed in.
Papa" said a low sweet voice, and a
hand was laid gently on the old mans arm.
as 1t you, dear p he returned, with a
low sigh.
eyes, papa" said the young girl leaning
against him and parting with her delicate
fingers, the thin, gray locks that lay in dis.
order about his forehead.
81 would like 10 be alone for this eve
ming, Florence" said, the old man. 81
have a good deal TO think about, and expect
a person on business"
And he kissed her ienderly yet sighed
as he pressed his lips to hers.
The girl passed from the room as noise
less,y as she had entered. The old man
had been calm before her coming in, but
the moment she retired he became sgitated
and arose and walked the floor uneasily.-
He continued TO pace 10 and fro, for near
ly half an hour, when he stopped and lis
tened, The street door bell had rung. In
a little while a man entered the room. "Mr
Mason" he said, with slightly percep,ible
embarrassment
MIR Page" returned the old man, with
a feeble, quickly fading smile, good eve
ming" and he offered his hand.
fHk~ ....1w 100000 sha h..A .nI ahOnE
it warmly. But there was no pressure in
return. "Sit down, Mr. Page"
The man took a chair, and Mr. Mason
sat down near him.
"You promised me an answer to my pro-
posal tonight" said the former, after a
pause.
81 did" returned the old man "but am
as little prepared to give it as was yesier-
day. In fact, | have not found an oppor-
unity 10 say anything 10 Florence on the
subject"
The counienance of the visitor fell, and
something like frown darkened his brow.
There was an embarrassing silence Of
some minutes. After which the man call
ed Page, said,
"Mr Mason, | have made an honorable
proposal for your daughters hand. For
weeks you have evaded and do still evade
an answer This seems SO much like lri-
fling, that | began to feel as if Just cause
for offence existed"
"None is intended, ! do assure YOU" re-
piled Mr. Mason, with some depreciation in
his tone. "Bui you must remember. Mr.
Page, that you have never sought to win
the young girls affection, and that, as a
consequence, the offer Of marriage which
you wish me 10 make TO her, will be receive
ed with surprise. and it may be, %disapproyal.
| wish 10 approach her, on this subject,
with discretion. To be too precipitate
may starile her, and rouse instant repug.
nance to your wishes"
"She loves you, does she not p inquired
Page, with a marked significance of man
ner.
"a child never loved a parent more ten.
derly," replied Mr. Mason.
"Giye her an undisguised history oil
your embarrassment. Show her how your
fortunes are trembling on the brink of ru.
in and that you have but one hope Of re-
lief and safety left. The day she become.
my wife, you are removed from all danger
Will you do this ?"
The old man did not reply. He wal
lost in a deep %reverie. 1t is doubtful tina
he had heard all that the man had said.
Mason aroused himself as from a dream
and answered with great hrmness and dig
nifty.
"Mr Page, the struggle in my mind i
over. am prepared for the worst. hay'
no idea that Florence will favor your suit
and | will not use a single argument to in
luence her. In that matter, she must b.
perfectly free. Approach her as a man,
you have the power to do so. 1t is you
only hope"
As if slung by a serpent, Psgc starte'
from his chair.
"You will repent this, SIR" he angril
retorled, "and repent it bitterly. ! cam
to you with honorable proposals for you
daughters hand, you listened to them, CAV
me encouragement, and promised me a
| nswer tonight. Now you meet me wit
insult Sir You will repent this"
Mr. Mason ventured no reply, but mere
ly bowed in token Of his willingness I
meet and bear all consequences that Nigh
f. come,