Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-04-19
Altstcilancolls.
A SHORT AND USEFUL STO-
RY,
"oh what tangled web We weave,
When first We practice TO deceive"

was married, while young, to man of
my choice and how happily my married
life was, can hardly bear to think Mr..
Percy was--but no matter must not VEN
ture to give words to my full heart
We lived in London. My husbands pro-
fession made city residence almost neces-
sary, and confined him very close to his of
fee. But what signilied this There are
happy hearts, and unspeakable enjoyments,
in the closest and most crowded streets of a
city and ours was a happy home.
For ten years after our marriage we had
never left London, except for an occasional
days recreation. Would that we had new
err thought of leaving it But at that time
we had two children-boys and /, foolish
as l was, thought that they were delicate
that they pinned for fresh country air. |
said so, and urged my husband; for he, too,
1 thought, was wearing himself away by
keeping himself so close to his Office. ur-
ged him to retreat from business and Lon
don for few weeks, and take us all in the
country for change Of air | had never
proposed any plan to which Mr.. Percy was
not willing to accede; and he now took
pains to crafty me. lie could not leave
London entirely, he said but he would
look out for a cottage few miles in the
country, to which might take the boys,
and he would come and see us as often as
possible.
Well, we went into the country; | and
my children 1t was pleasant village, Cat
least | thought it pleasant then, about eight
miles from our London home and two or
three times week my husband left business
early in the afternoon, to spend the evening
with us, and returned early next day.
One day-O, l never shall forget that
day II received note from friend who
lived three or four miles from our cottage,
inviting me to spend the day with her
That friend was the mother of our dear Lu-
cy -- | determined to go; and, al-
ter the lunch with my boys, [ prepared for
the walk preferred walking there and
my friend had engaged to see me home at
night, in her carriage. had no expecta-
ton that my husband would visit us that
day. Indeed believed it impossible tina,
he could, as | knew that he had an appoint
ment to keep with some committee that We.
ny evening
| had gwen directions to my servant, and
told her that should not return till late
but had not said whittier ] was going, anc
was leaving the door of our cottage, wheI
my youngest boy "a dear little fellow no
quite five years old) ran up Go me and ask
ed Mother, where are you going
] evaded the question; for | feared thu
|. boys would wish to 90 with me if | shoult
mention the name OF Mrs. -; and
had made up my mind to go alone.
But Willy chung to my hand, and in hi
winning way said you must not 90
mother, without telling me where you ar
going And his brother ran out, and pu
the question in another way. Are you &c
ing to London TO see father 2
Unguardedly, thoughtessly, and yet,
how criminally answered, Yes, yes, t
be sure | am going to London Littl
did / anticipate the train of miseries whic
followed to that answer. How could |? =
More than once during my walk tn
thought obtruded itself that had deceive
my children and felt ill at ease. Had
even then listened to the reproofs of col
science, foregone my anticipated pleasure
and returned to undeceive them, all woul
have been WELL But quoted myself wit
some wretched sophistry | have not tol
an untruth; l am going to London, but NJ
to-day | did not say was going to-day.
| had my pleasure-the last day Of plea
ure ever enjoyed in this world, or sha
enjoy, even though live a hundred years
and then returned, 1t was about nine c
clock found my boys out of their beds
and the first question they put to me Wa
Did father find your
Father find me? Father find me 2
What do you meanl and why are you N
in bed 2 l replied
The story was soon told. My husbaT
had arrived at the cottage about an hour I
ter had left it, and was told that | h,