Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-04-09

thlng indoors was tasteful and neat bOu-
quets everywhere, and little knick knicks
scattered about, Where was jenny Going
through the hall, Lawrence bundered through
wrong door and made discovery There
stood Jenny at the kitchen table. onveloped
in huge check apron. kneading bread lie
turned quickly, and was about to beat re-
treat
Don't go 20 cried Jenny. pleasantly. look
ing over her shoulder you must be lone
ly come and learn how to be useful / shall
be done directly"
And he did come in got himself busted
with flour a little, watched her busy hands
shifting the bread, was instructed in the art
Of "raising over night" and united the apron
string from around her neck. Then there
were strawberries to pick over, as the cook
was busy so when Uncle Jack came in for
drink of wator he found the two sitting in
amiable converse, with stained fingers, on the
kitchen stoop.
But this was novelty, and did not last long
In a week Lawrence began to relapse read
lounged, became apathetc, and at times peev-
ish, even TO Jenny. Sometimes he hurt her
feelings by his fnical delicacy, his want Of
discrimination, his fashionable foibles John
called him a "lazy fellow :" Uncle Jack told
him two or three bluff truths, and even Jen-
ny expressed her antipathy for inefficient
men.
They were all healthy and happy but him
self; to his morbid fancy he seemed singled
out to bear the concentrated ills of life. lie
grew daily more morose four, five weeks
sped away still idle, still good for nothing
Has this man any nobility Of character :"
thought Jenny Tracy. "If so, it ought to be
brought to light. He seems good-natured
enough at times, and full Of social energy
when he chooses What pity that with so
many fine traits he would throw away his life
in this way l win try and rub up his rusti-
ness little And she did try. like a good
Christian as she was, but all to no avail
Everything she required of him was granted
reluctantly, sometimes with a rude repulse
hidden undor polished coolness. But the cri-
sis was TO come at last
One morning after a good many contests
and considerable ill-humor on the part of
Lawrence, the conversation turned upon
dreams and visions.
"Do you believe in dreams. any of you p
said Jenny while they were still at the break
fast table.
dreams r. began Lawrence, cortemptu-
ously, with curl Of his lip. But Jenny pro-
ceeded quietly to relate remarkable dream
concerning deserted farm near by, which had
been contded TO her by an old nurse of hers.
"Do you believe it can you credit such a
thing demanded Lawrence, in an aggres-
sive tone. Jenny, blushing, and half laugh
ing, replied that she could not help feeling an
inclination that way.
"Wcll, Miss Tracy, you are weaker than
thought for; | should not have expected la
dy of your requirements and discretion to
adopt the whimsicalities of a cranky old wo-
man."
His words were so uncalled for, his man
ner so cutting, that even the patient Jenny
was aroused. Lawrence Nane," she said,
rising her face flushing, "you are unkind and
ungentomanly; can overlook and forgive
your insulting remarks, when l remember
that indulgence and fashion have crushed out
any generous nobility there might be in your
nature. To them you owe my iorbearanco
now, aud many times when you have wound
ed mo-" She burst into tears, and left the
room.
There was an embarrassing silence John
took up a book Uncle Jack sauntered out
through the garden door Lawrence sat par
ing his nails-othorwise motonless-his head
'NAANs W AAAs was tAlt lAlhLAtl viii MN HOl
anger, surely; his eyes were moist his lip
anything but scornful. What had he done
Only wounded, for the twentieth time, gen
tie, kindly spirit; broken with the first and
only true friends who had ever interested
themselves to reclaim him He saw himself
at length saw it all, now, just as if he had
taken up his worthless manhood betwixt his
thumb and finger a tattered garment, see
III "a I - Al
comings-all, all And this was the trust
God had given him how on that day, ac-
count for its sad want of excellence! She had
spoken severely, but trathftdiy, God bless
her a choking sensation rose in his heart /;
his head seemed full TO bursting. and for the
first time in his life he was truly prctched.-
Then, too, new feeling born in his soul,
fresh, sublime and beautiful Fresh as dew
upon flowers; as the sweet rain in spring
time; Love How the Thought startled him
what should he do to retrieve himself in her
now dear eyes He rose, and found himself
alone he would 90 and seek her, and apollo
gize for his rude behavior, the like Of which
should never occur again.
Quickly he hastenod into the hall, and
heard her voice upon the porch there he fol-
lowed. What he saw was not calculated to
make MN any thc happier dOhn ana Jenny
were standing at the end of the porch Johns
arm was wound about her waist, her face hid
den on his shoulder. Poor Lawrence there
was no hope for him yet praise be to him,
he did not hesitate as to his duty; with
steady step sounding upon the floor, he APP
preached them his face looked flushed and
handsome with good impulses They started
John drew away his arm, and jenny half
turned her head
He held out his hand to her; glad smile
broke over Jenny's countonance; she took
his hand in both of hers.
Cousin Lawrence, have nothing to for
give nor, although afow moments ago thought
had have judged you too hastily; we
have both been to blame"
Thus, peace was restored, and they were
all happier.
CHAPTER ~
" Cousin Lawrence !" called Jenny, one
morning, two weeks after, at the bottom of
the staircase, "l'm going my charity rounds,
would you like to come with me :"
YES, only too glad l will be down di-
rectly."
She waited presently he came gathering
down, in farmer shoes. Could this be the
dainty, fashionable Lawrence Nane, in rough,
brown homespun ringlcss iewelless and