Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-01-08


age of scventy-fvo, he had come back TO the
town where he had spent so many years of
his life.
The young couple made room for him and
Henry drew great oasy-chair to the fire.
"Now sit down, and let us talk over old
times, said the young man as he resumed his
own scat.
"Where have you been since we saw you
last, Uncle Adam 7"
"Ah. have been in great many places,
said the old man. 81 have crossed the big
ocean and spent some years in Scotland. You
know / was born in Scotland, although
came over here when ! was very young. But
it didn't seem like home there, and after a
while | determined to come back here. |
spent some time in the city, but all my afiec-
tions ccntcred in this quiet village and here
determined to come. And yet ! have no
kindred here But | came, for here have
spent the best part Of my manhood. and here
were those that loved. 1t was not until
was set down at the village inn that ] realized
how poor and friendless was. The thought
Of coming back here had kept my spirits up,
but when 4 came and found myself once moro
in the town, began to look for the friend
upon whom / should call Ii was then that
a chill hand was laid upon me My FRIENDs
Where are they ] had not thought of this
before ! remained at the inn that night. and
on the following day went out found
many who knew me-many who took me
warmly by the hand. but when ! began 20
hint at the idea of wanting help in my old
age they turned coldly from me- | told them
that ] would not bcg-'hat asked not for
charity. ! only asked for something to do
some work, not too hard, by which | could
I Just keep my body up for the few short days
/ ] might have longer to stay in this world Of
care. The older ones were too full Of home
/ TO make room for me. and the younger ones
! wanted not the chilling presence Of an old
man at the hearth-stone. All, | might have
known this had stopped TO ponder before
/ I came, but did not do so. ! looked on
this pretty village as my home forgetting all
/ the while that where no kindred are there can
/ be no home.
"You are wrong, Uncle Adam. returned
/ Henry quickly. 81 hope there are many here,
/ who would be pleased to give YOU a home ;
but YOU shall not look further You shall
ind a home here my kind old friend, as long
as you have a mind to stay
"No, no, Henry will not force myself
upon YOU l came TO see YOU because | could
not leave the place without looking once
more upon YOU.
"I'm glad you come, Uncle Adam, and you
shall not go. Now look We, have a store /;
perhaps YOU would rather be in there once
in a while and help mo about the lighter work
than TO be idle
"Oh / could not live in idleness; | would
rather work than not"
"Then you will stay with me and work
when you please, and stay at home with Sarah
when YOU please
Yes said the young wife. who had just
been and placed her infant in the cradle, and
at the same time throwing her arms around
the old mans neck, "stay with us. Henry
has no father nor mother. and have only a
mother Oh, we have often wished that one
Of the old folks had lived TO be with US. Ny
mother is with my eldest sister. You will
stay. won't youa All, know you will We
will love you, Uncle Adam, and make you
very comfortable; and these cold dark days
you shall stay here and not 90 to the store
for I feel very lonesome
The old man lifted his trembling hand t.
the noble womans head, but when he tricC
TO speak words failed him. His lips quiyereC
"A momeut-and the big tears rolled down his
furowed check
'Bless you sweet one, murmured Henry
were made 60 give happiness to others
The old man saw the movement, and heard
those words of the husband TO his wife, aud
above all else they proved to him that the
Young couple were earnest and sincere in their
offer. Those simple words addressed to an
other struck more deeply to his heart with CON
yiction than could a hundred verbal assu-
RANGES given directly to him.
e(o1 klass van 80 hg nt louufh uftorol
grasping Henry by the hand. "An hour age
| feared had no friends ON earth, and now
find them warm aud true.
"And why should we not be friends y re-
turned Henry. earnestly. Il owe much o
what | am to You. shall never forget how
you bore with me when | was wayword boy,
and how you gave me the lessons upon which
have since founded my manhood.
1t was late whan the trio retired, and the
old man blessed his friends ere they separated
for the night
In the morning Sarah informed Uncle
Adam that her husband and herself had go
the matter ali arranged, they meant to be as
happy as could be; and she made him prom
Use that he would go and bring what thing
he had to their house. He gave them TIA,
promise and before noon had taken possession
of his room.
People wondered what had induced Henry
to take that old man into his house, and thos,
who asked him he answered, that Uncle Adam
was like father to him, and he gave him
home because he loved him. The old peda
gogue went to the store almost every day an'
he made himself very useful in variety O
ways.
For two or three weeks Uncle Adam watch
ed his young friends very narrowly, but fnall
he became assured that they liked to have hin
there and that they would ON no account tsulIe
him to leave As soon as he had gained this as
surance he was happy and eontented man
and ere long he became really father to tn
household. lie was still fresh and strong i
intellect. and his conversation was both
source of pleasure and profit. In the Sprn
he went to a neighboriug city and spent
week, and both Henry and Sarah were reall
lonesome while he was gone and when
returned, he saw by the eagernes and Joy wit
which they welcomed him back that the
( were glad to have him with them
q The Spring passed away and the SummC
p came 1t was during the first week in Au
! gust that Henry came home downcast ana sal
= Sarah asked him what was the matter, and