Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-12-24
MONTPELIER, DECEMBER "a. 1863.

ton in your throat is a natural result Of your
disease and what is the use of indulging a
fancy which only aggravates your maladyf'
81 ought to know what feel, better than
either you or the doctor can tell it TO me,
rcioned the sick man, somewhat impatiently
"and know that l feel one hard, burning
spot in my throat, just as If | had tried to
swallow piece Of rcd-hot copper No water
can cool that spot; it is always the same, al
wavs burning"
Neronica's thoughts REQUIRED to the suffer
ing she had experienced when her hand was
burned, and her pity for the poor man re-
doubled.
"Wcll, Kunkel" replied the schoolmaster,
81 can only repeat what said belore-this is
all fgment Of your own imagination. How
in the world could piece of burning money
find its way into the centre Of your throat -
"Oh know it know it well ! exclaimed
the sick man. at was last Christmas Eve
that | felt for the first time that burning
spot"
''You felt it on that evening because the
liberation of your throat had just become
more acute and widely spread
ooh, no no! there was another reason
than that groaned the unhappy man. "it
was on Christmas Eve. twelve years ago
stop do you hear that cry under the window
1t was just such a cry as that the poor child
gave when rewarded her Christmas carol by
dropping piece Of burning money into her
hand. Oh, deserve all my sutierings richly,
too well know ~
As Veronica hoard these words, cry of
dismay burst from her lips. 1t seemed as if
the rctributye Justice of God had fallen upon
this unhappy man before her very eyes. 1t
was to her a solemn and overpowering emo
tion and the young singer covered her face
with her hands, and burst into tears.
The old schoolmastor deeply moved, turn
ed towards Veronica
"Kunkel.' said the schoolmaster, in tone
Of deep solcmnity, "here is tho very hand
which, twelve years ago, you were so cruel as
to burn. This hand is now held out to you
in token of forgiveness and see! no trace
remains of the wound you then inflicted and
no unkind thought harbors in the bosom OF
her who has now come to minister to your
wants"
Kunkel raised his head, and looked a,
Veronica 'No! nol" he replied, sighina
heavily; ''it is impossible that fine lady can
not be the same as the poor child whom | SO
cruelty injured twelve years ago. You are
making a mock of me, NJ. Rossel
/ believe me, Kunkel what have told you
is true Through God S goodness, that burn
I ing penny has turned TO a mine of gold in tho
hand of Veronica Madcl; and here added
he, laying pile of crowns upon the table
" here is share OF her gains, which she has
brought to you"
! Kunkel, with an air of bewlderment, gazed
alternately at Veronica, at his wife, who stood
weeping by his side, and at the money which
lay upon the table. IL wish | could believe
what You tell me" he exclaimed; "but il
seems to me impossible. Do you remember
lady, the song that was sung beneath my
window that Christmas Eve; That song
and the cry of anguish which followed it. still
ring in my ears. If you can repeat it to me
now. shall believe that what NJ Rossel tells
me is indeed the truth
Veronica with voice tremulous from emo
ton, sang the woll-known miners song and
as she sang. the little infants cry was hushed
the broken hearted mother listened in admir-
ing silence and the sick man, folding hia
hands across his breast, and raising his eyes
to heaven. exclaimed "God be merciiul tc
me a sinner -
Veronica seated herself by his side, SPOKE
to him of pardon and Of peace, until, at length
a ray Of hope beamed from the sufferer eye
He stretched his wearied limbs, as though
seeking that repose which had long been de
MED to him and then, with gentle sigh, b,
fell asleep.
The schoolmaster, familiar, by long expert
ence, with scenes of suffering and OF death
quickly perceived that the vital spark ha,
fled. He laid his hand upon the marble brow