Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-11-20
M I sc T. L \ \ Y
A Friend mistaken for a Foe.

Doctor Stone stood at his window again,
looking out beyond the muslia curtains -
Very mysterionsly he looked, and shook his
head, and then placing his gray 10 ks be-
hind him, and bending his head he walked
q little, always returning to his old stand
point and gazing out, however.
1t puzzles me- he repeated over and
over : if she is some poor, unfortunate
thing, deserted, and suffering, why does
she appear so cheerful Does she glory
In her shame | have never seen gentle
man there she can't be mlrried-and 90
ont to work phaw ! | wish know her.
I've seen them trusting and trusting and
smiling when on the bLink of ruin, never
doubling but justice would be done them,
until at the last they 60 mad and jump in
to the river, or else lead degraded lives
For nobody cares for them they must live,
they can't feed on air-oh shame, shame,
shame on such men as can Deliberately
rum the fairest workmanship of God
The doctor became more and more inter
ested in his pretty neighbor, and she, inno-
Gently unconscious of the harm she was
doing, worked away at her plants and sat
at her little window pursuing her avoca-
tion. For she did not very often go to the
shop now, for one of the sweetest and best oil
reasons the good hearted Mrs, Iane s0"'
much Of her custom 10 her. Mean"ulle
though, she knew it not, the delicate aces
that passed through her fingers, the dainty
bits Of silk and muslin, were parts of tue
bridal dress of the great Doctor Stones
daughter. And little she thought that the
same famous physician saw her, morning
after morning, and went about plying her
20 increasingly. 1t she had known it, the
knowledge would have ELECTED onlya blush,
a silvery laugh, and hearty one.
The day after her conversation with her
husband, happier than she had felt for
months. she imIrudently bent her way to
the store. 1t was more for the pleasure of
the walk than anything else and sne I'D
not notice an omnious cloud that was slow
ly sailing over the heavens, threatening
storm and furious wind. 1t was late in the
afternoon, and she was returning, hoping
to get home before the tempest burst upon
her. Mrs. Lang had provided her with AT
umbrella with which she kept off the
drops, but the wind arose higher, until at
last she could no longer manage her um-
brella
Suddenly she became aware of some one
quite near her, who lifted the umbrella
from her hand and placed her arm in is
1t was all done 50 quickly so gently, and
with an air of such exceeding defcrance.
that she had no time to question her incll.
nation but moved on somewhat in IL maze
But with every step she grew more timid,
and on looking up and seeing the dark deep
eyes Of Dr.. Stone, she very nearly flinted.
tJr she had marked his often meeting with
her. They had arrived at store, thruush
which she sometimes passed, as 1t eXteni-
ell back into the street, where she resided
and nervous, eXcitable, scarcely knowing
what she did, and seized with an uaac-
countable fear, she sprang from his pro-
tecting arm, ran through the shop, glincd
the street-her door, and as caught in
the arms Of her husband, who had returned
but few moments before.
Quite lnc0herently she told her story,
fon which the young man rashy inferred
that she had been insulted, and by the man
whose praise was on every lip; the mgl-
minded, the pure Dr.. Stone the man of
grey hairs and many years Fred almost
fJalned at the mouth while his wife exhaust
ed and trembling, sank upon seat. She
did not see how pale he was, how tightly he
compressed his lips and clenched his hands,
ilr in bending over her he concealed all this
Presently up flew the little Mrs Morrl-
son, looking queerer and more Eighty than
ever, as she cried
Its Doctor Stone at the door, and can t
make out if he wants you or your wife. lie
spoke of young lady
Send him up-send him w here, cried
the young man, glaring upon the poor little
woman till she cried mercy and shrank
away. Another moment, and the venerable
doctor came bowlng IN, all unprepircd for
the salutation that met him
Sir, how dare yOu-how dare you speak
to my wife-insult my wife in the street t.
My dear sir, began the doctor, mildly
Il performed merely an act Of kindness iou
the lady, such as should do for any person
incarabe as she was of breasting tn, storm
alone. How have offended, sir
You are wrong, dear Fred, said LusenI
beginning to smile at her own weakness
the gentleman did not speak to me; it wa,
merely an act of kindness-the doctor will
excuse my ru ieness, | am sure
The dickens = thought Fred, looking il
Ierplexity from one to the other.
'lf had done as you say, continued thu
silvery-haired old mtn, in his still gentl,
tones, Il should not probably have taker
the pains to return the lady's umbrella, anC
apologize for what she may have consdere,
au intrusive act. Excuse me when | ga,
that have long felt an unusual interes
in your wife, | know not why, but that
have a daughter-and seeing her alone, of
ten, in the street, ami many times from my
window, up there, felt an almost fatherly
desire 10 know who she was | am onl
too glad to become acquainted with tn
case for excuse me, sir, | feared she wa
unprotected
'rhe young physician colored deeply,
Il trust have made ample epology,' h,
continued, with a courtly bow, 'and tha
my standing in society, my character rs
father, physician, and an old man
Doctor! exclaimed the young man ,franl
ly, Il ask your pardon, was wrong; | Sc
1t all Dow-but-the fact is-hard iortur
has made me suspicious. You will, kno
overlook my rashness.'
Gladly, was the Doctors reply, an
then before he knew it, Fred encourage
by the paternal manner Of the guest, la
told him oil his story.
You spoke of your brother he sal,
alter short pluse--is be in the city
present -
lie is, sir; and if reports speak tru
after Monday evening next, he viii te Il
husband Of your beautiful daughter
The old doctor started, asking abrupt
'ls it he, then lis ho your brother - 50
we'll, this is news to me. And You do n
speak together, On account Of your ma
rlise-the very lact that should ex4lt y,
hi ,i,l i,, ,,....