Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-06-17

had, moreover, fourteen pupils sons Of the neigh
boring farmers.
Mr.. Wilson informed Ernest that il was only
the powerful influence Of the Count de Plouvier
es, and the affection Of the people for Louise his
niece, which had enabled him to obtain their
youth TO bring up in improved notions. But now
he said, all went along easily-the farmers and
their families felt and saw the great benefits
which lay within their grasp and as their patrons
gave them facilities for paying for all new instru-
ments by instaInents, few refused to avail them
selves of the opportunity. On fete days and
holidays the whole neighborhood came to the
model farm, to amuse themselves by looking
around and change, he said, was perceptible
One house, which had been burnt down, close
by, had been rebuilt upon new princfples--with
regard to comfort and cleanliness; and all were
anxious to follow the example.
Ernest was more than ever convinced of the
wisdom of the practical course adopted by the
Count de Plouvieres and Louise de Redonte.
He saw clearly that if we would induce men to
believe in our preceps, we must practice them
ourselves; and that one example is worth hum
dred expositons. He went away filed with ad-
miration ut the nobility of character, the sound
sense and wisdom of the young reformer; and
with his heart more deeply imbued with love for
the beautiful girl.
He prepared his lecture in bis mind during the
whole three days which intevened, and when
the hour came, entered thebarn amid loud up.
plause, The place was full. The whole neigh
borhood, male and female, was there, with Mr.
Wilson and his assistants and pupils .lEvreybOdJ
understood now that the object Of Ernest Della
ugne had been good and all blamed themselves
for not comprehcnding him-though in reality
the fault was with him, who had understood thC
right way to proceed.
Ernest began. In eloquent words, with dee
and strong feeling, he drew picture of La
boudie before and after the return of Louise fror
England. He compared, in humorous way
the different lines pursued by the young lad
and by the " Fool of Laboudie (great laughte
and applause j he acknowledged her means t
be greater-but also allowed that he might hav
made his own land the model farm, by industri
ously devoting himself to the very course Of i'm
provement which he recommended; he callet
down the blessings of heaven on the lovely pat
roness of the locality-hardly able TO restrail
his tears as he spoke-and then opened with hi
subject
He used simple and plain language. He spok
of things which all began to understand, AM
was listened to with deep interest and respectful
attention. When he was done, the barn almos
seenea to fall, 90 violently did they sheke it wit
.Itheir bhavos and cIapping Of hands. 1t was late
and most had long way to go; SO the assem-
blage dispersed, after receiving gratefully tn
promise of a continuation on that day week.
But one person fingered behind and stood witt
in the barn, when they had all left it save Ell
nest and his mother. They had reached tn
door before they had made the discovery.
"Mlle. la Comteste," said Nine. Delavigne
respectfully.
Ernest !" replied she, holding out her hand
"Louise !" exclaimed he, for he saw in the
smile which accompanied the offer of her hand
that she was unchanged.
And so Monsieur runs away, and must run
after him p said Louise, taking his arm.
"What think you Madame, she continued
your son, month ago, asked me to marry hmi
l consented-and week ago he ran away, de-
claring he would not marry me! Am not very
good, to come and fetch him ?"
"Louise Louise" replied Ernest passionate
ly, " did not think you could marry the Fool Of
Laboudie.'
"My dear friend, my speech of the other eve
ming only shows how wrong people are to judge
from appearances. had only heard a descnp-
ton of you under that name, from an old servant,
whose gossips have been sufficiently punished
for retailing"
"But my son." cried the amazed mother,
" what is the meaning of all this ?"
"My dear madame, that we are to be married
according to previous agreement, tomorrow
three weeks" said Louise, taking her hand
" and that my husband is about to complete the
work which have SO imperfectly begun"
The whole affair was the most oft-hand thing
imaginable The marriage of these two clever
people-each clever in particular way, the very
difference Of character being usetul-created no
little surprise Previous to the old revolution, M
de Lavigne Ia name Ernest resumed)- now hold
ing a social position which to make the aristo-
cratic de assuming-had held as high position
as the Count de Plouviers But he had not en-
igrated-preferring to fall into the the position
of a farmer, to a wandering exile in a foreign
land. At the restoration, his property,-sold
during the two years he passed in prison as a
respectable estate, if he farmed it himself-and
he continued 70 do so and Monsieur Della
vigne, despite Of his plebian locks, was quite as
happy as when hehad been M. de Lavigne. But
his son, for the sake of his wife and her relatives
resumed the name IF his right-to which he
modestly avoided alluaon until a few days be-
fore their marriage.
And now it was difficult to say which was the
hand and which was the heart, Ernest had
learned that mere personal sympathy with the
ignorance or misery Of our fellow creatures is of
little use, if we do not raise our hands and arms
to do something and that the true friends of
humanity are those who do their utmost to ditfuse
to widen the circle of mans utility,
and who by example and practice lead the march
of civilization. Every man may thus do his part
in the great work of human progress. ALI that
is wanting is the will to be useful.
Ernest and Louise de Lavigne were blessing
to the whole country round. Smiling meadows,
neat houses, productive fields, healthy peasantry
he absence of any glaring case of poverty,