Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-04-09
miscellaneous.
Erom Arthur's Home Magazine.
LOVES INFLUENCE.
by META.
CHATTER /.

Ihtfetcheu out upon our hOmely chlntH lounge,
the very essence of lazincss, his patent loath-
er boots resting higher than his head,
his white ringed fingers clasping a new
volume, his air inattentive, blaso and dissatis-
fed. / am speaking of our wealthy young
cousin, Lawrence Vane, who we thought
would always be useless man, with good
for-nothing habits, and poevish old age.
"Confound it, I've got the dyspepsia
that's what's the matter with me ~ and Cous-
in Lawrence flung aside his costly book with
an unusual amount Of energy.
We all exploded into laughter, from staid
Papa, down to pretty Bessy. Papa laid down
his paper with an amused look.
"Why, Lawrence, it was only the other day
you were in the last stages Of consumption
he said, slyly.
"You needn't laugh, all Of you :" rctortcd
Lawrence, pettishly, giving us girls a severe
glance, cts rather impertinent should say"
1--WE can't help it, Cousin Lawrence, gasp
ed out pretty Bessy, her checks red and puff
cd with suppressed mirth "You are SO odd w
I'm sick, sick, sick | shan't live long
in this way, I'm convinced, and he sank
back with groan.
Lawrence Vane!" said Papa, bringing
down his fist on the table, making it ring
you're lazy hound. sir You have not one
noble impulse about you You have allow
ed youth and strength to lie useless and cor
rode. If you've got any disease. I'm heartily
glad Of Il! it may sting you to action. if your
conscience cannot Go to work get up early
and see the sun rise! Do good, and you'll
have an easy digestion and happy life l
speak as a friend"
cts always work, work. work. with you.
1fr s1.I /
upright, and shaking back his fine locks de-
family.
"Come, I'll make you proposal contin-
ued Papa. $50 mp to brother Jacobs farm
and spend the summer Throw off your fd-
dlc-hddlc hshionablcs; put on homespun
set TO work at the plough Why, boy, you'll
come out man, and now one r'
Papa's enthusiastic, hearty tones could not
help but fire the blood of a mortal and Cou-
sin Lawrence is one. although weak
"Oh. yes, Cousin Lawrence" we all Chin
ed in chorus. "do go its a charming place
Euerybody is happy there John is such fine
fellow, and Jenny such a darling
"Who may John be ; and darling Jon-
ny 80 demanded Cousin Lawrence, visibly
but lazily interested
"Oh, Johns e. sc all began again, but sis
ter Elizabeth begged one might be spohcswo-
man. mot so many swallows twitterng at
once, she said. We all looked to Susan.
"Wcll. began Susan, in her straightfor-
ward diction, John and Jenny Tracy are
cousins. adopted bv Uncle Jacob who is very
fond and proud of them. John works on the
farm, and Jenny helps in the house. They
are both clever
ooh, no e. said Lawrence, with a knowing
whistle "stunid cnraved DeoDle | suDpose
Excuse me from being de trop.
"But they re not engaged at all, sir :. said
Miss Bcssy, indignantly, with toss Of her
head, but blushing all the while under her
black unglots. John is not the least bit in
love with her. hou are always jumping at
conclusions !
Lawrence gave her prolonged stare, show
ing all bis dazzling teeth in a wise smile, and
enunciatng clearly
""JuNtoposition jnXtaposition, Queen Bcs-
ley You see know something OF the world;
I've been TO Paris
"Say you will go to Jacobs, and l will
write now, immediately, interrupted Papa,
mpaionty
"Wcll, sir, replied Lawrence, with half
sigh " If you rcai'y think itil do me good, !
will-yos. ! will try IT, But bless me! I'm
most gone now with another groan he re-
!apsed into silence and we hid our faces be-
hind our books for docencys sake The
letter was written and scaled, and in three
days, with mourntul shake Of the head,
Cousin Lawrence bade us adien, wearing the
semblanco of man not long for this world.
CHATTER II.
Sweet Brior Farm WAS one of the loyeliost
Of places. Even Lawrence thought so. as he
drove up in front of its modest brown porch
all wreathed with honeysnckles. There was
Uncle Jacob ready to welcome him his voice
checry, his checks like crumpled red rose
leaves. Thoro stood John. too, beside him,
fresh and comely; perfect picture of health
and manliness
"Jonny! Jchny :" rang Uncle Jacob voice
through the house, answered by mellow,
Coming sir =, and tripping down the
stairs Now it happened that Lawrencc's
fayorite pointer, Caprice" had stretched
himself at the bottom of the staircase, and
before she was aware, Jenny Tracy stumbled
over him. Then there was yelping and
scampering, and being his special pct, Law
renee felt annoyed and irritatcd "Awk-
ward - he calculated mentally, at the same
time making profound bow, without vouch-