Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-24

=" lave you heard that MS Iatner mas eApeiieu
him from home!" asked tn Q one addressed as
Barton. IS
q No nor do believe it."
at is too true, nevertheless. All OF US re-
member the evening he graduated, and how it
gladdened our hearts, as much as if it had been
bestowed upon ourselves, when, after the exer-
cises were over, the old President commended
him for the essay he read Well, coming
home, he was invited to drink by friend, and
when he once gets taste of it, you know it's
oil over with hinsfpr week, a9d ] wchder
how he left off tonight He gogso Intoxicated
that ina fit of rage he knocked down the sa-
loon-keeper, and nearly demolished everything
near him, and was finally arrested and locked
up. Word was sent to his father, who, to save
him from disgrace, paid heavy fine and kept
his name out of the papers This done, he
sent Tom word never to darken his doors
again
"And that was what troubled Grayson to-
night7"
Doubtless. For once let US follow Toms
example. I, for one, have quaffed nay last
glass for tonight"
"And also" responded each in succession,
and scarce half hour had elapsed ere the
room was deserted.
Leaving them, we will turn to young Gray
son. Drawing his hat over his eyes and but
toning his coat closely about him, he turned
his steps towards the less fashionable part of
the city. He had threaded several streets, and
was just entering dark, il-lighted one, where
men of far more nerve than himself would
hardly have dared to venture at that time of
the night. Suddenly his foot met an opposing
obstacle on the sidewalk which nearly pros
trated him to the ground Recovering himself,
he saw where he was, and commenced retracing
his steps, when hand was laid upon his
shoulder, and sad mournful voice exclaimed
in half doubling tone,
Doctor Melville!"
mo, no, my good woman you are mis-
, taken." replied Graysen, as he turned and saw
a middle-aged female, upon whose pale, ye
handsome features, the marks Of suffering were
iadelbly stamped. 81 am not Doctor Mel
Vile"
= "Oh sir, excuse me then. God only knows
what shall do have been to his Office an6
6 he is not there, and have no one else to ap
ply to-"
, wat did you iwant Of Docto. Melvale -
. asked Grayson, struck by the refined manner
~ which the woman exhibited.
- have child, sir; an only daughter dy
ing, and no one to minister to her sufferings
e have asked three othe- doctors, but none o
sc them would 60 out on such night to attent
10 to the wants of the poor.'
+ Heavens curse be upon them exclaim
;r cd Grayson Indignantly. If you will bu
ID lead the way to the bedside Of your child
madam, will aid you in your hour of need.
~ 81 fear cannot put you to that trouble,
,a she replied, glancing at the rich dress whie
ro Grayson wore. " 1t is the worst part of th
ex city, and you are not used to minister to tn
destitute"
go I" Do not stop here, but show me your dwell
ing, for l were unworthy to be called MAJ
ID did refuse to assist you; and let Inc thro
re-. my cloak around you, for you must be chile
,te through by these piercing blasts"
"No, no! will not expose you to the CO
)ld i am used to it myself; pray retain it.
he "No! you are a woman, la man whs
contempt would be justly heaped upon Il
TO- should l permit you to face this storm unpr
tected to crafty my own comfort" and thro,
IN ing his cloak around her, he once more desir
md her to lead the way.
81 have no money, sir, and"
INIT Speak not of money to met has been Il
on- curse Lead on "
With murmured blessing, the woman stal
the ed at quick pace up the street, while you,
Grayson followed her. He shuddered, as frt
the vile dens of iniquity, on either side, cur
led and plasphemy met their ears. At last til
, a reached low, dingy, dilapidated dwelling
fore the door of which the woman stopped, a
opening it, said,
This way, sir; take my hand, for
stairs are none of the best, and unused as W
feet are to them, you might fall.''
The stairs groaned and creaked beneath I'll
weight, as they assembled Reaching the I
the woman opened Il door, and ushered him
.,o to q room that contrasted strongly with the
- terror of the building. Although evidence
poverty were apparent, everything was as +
as in the most aristocratic mansions of the C
The floor was utterly devoid of paint, and
no signs of dirt could be seen upon its wi
surface. A look of pain crossed the fine
lures of the woman as she banded Grayso
chair
Pardon me, sir, for bringing you into s
place. Nothing but stern necessity GO
have compelled me to do it. Would you
my child !"
Yes" replied Grayson rising
"Step softly, then. for she is sleeping"
fin In one corner of the room, upon bed WI
esire snowy whiteness was in perfect keeping
rust the air of general neaness which prevail
this reposed child Of perhaps eighteen year
: for Grayson started suddenly, as he gazed upon
light brow, and pressing his hand to his forehead
after seemed as if looking upon II vision Of anl
ming beauty; and indeed he was. That marble b
unity those lips and chin and finely carved feat'
mite were such as he had never seen before. M
IN - of jet black bair lay in rich profusion
,ut,' her neck and shoulders, and the hectic
it is upon either cheek made her look far more
lie 10 dweller of another world, than frail hu
being. Trembling, he took that small
k, as within his own, and carefully noted the p