Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1860-02-11

his place.
THE THREE KN0CKS--A BERKSHIRE LE-
GEND.
AT the beginning of the last. or close of the
preceding century, very skilul and eminent
apothecary ana surgeon resided in the outskirts
of Newbury, as much beloved for his social
qualities as he was valued for his knowledge of
his profession. Among his patients and ac-
quaintance was an elderly maiden lady of slen-
der fortune, and Of sour and ayaricious tenn
per these qualities were increased by burthen
thrown upon her, which, sordid as was her ma
tare, she could not avoid. An improvident
brother died insolyent and beautiful girl of
sixteen, his only child, was left entirely to the
unwilling protection Of her aunt. Heart broken
at the loss of her father haTassed bv the per-
petua peeylshness of her aunt, scantiy fed, and
poorly clad, the poor young creature sank un-
der her change of circumstances, and became
seriously ILL., The good surgeon was called in,
ana speedily detected that the malady was men
tai.
One day, when alone with her. he said, Il see,
my dear, what really ails you-your aunt's treat
ment is killing you by inches / can do nothing
for you. unless you will accept such home as |
can give you. 1t you can overlook the great dis
proportion in age, think could make it hap
py home you should have every comfort in my
power to afford you, and at least it will be hap
pier life than that you lead at present" The
young woman gratefully accepted the offer !;
they were married, and for two years no persons
could have been apparently better suited to each
other, though the difference in age was more
than thirty years.
AT that period, the surgeon received letter
from an intimate friend, an eminent physician
in London, requesting favor that he would
receive as boarder, for few weeks, young
gentleman, in whom he felt particular interest.
He described him as highly talented and inform
cd, who had by great industry and application
attained considerable eminence at the bar, but
whose health had sunk under the intense labor
he hod undergone through the winter; that con-
sumptive symptoms had appeared, and nothing
was likely to save his life but total rest from
business a change to, good air. and the regular
superintendent of a skilful medical man and
knowing the skill and kindness of his friend, the
airy situation of his house, and its capability to
accommodate an inmate, he ventured to solicit
AN admittance for his young patient. The re-
quest was instantly granted and the invalid took
possession of good apartment even the usual
sitting room, and received every attention from
the surgeon and his wife.
To the latter this shortly became as danger
Ouo a. /. was interesting tne ilNalu was at
tractye IN person, and in every way formed to
WIN the affections; he found his young compan-
ion (who by her husbands continual absence
during his professional employment was con-
stantly alone with him) full of natural talent
but wholly uninformed he took great delight in
improving her mind. read and conversed with
her. and every day increased their mutual in
terest IN eacn other. onhappily the young law
yer nad imoioed many dangerous and skeptlcal
opihiohs-these he impaired to his pupil, and
amongst others the total unbeliet OF future
state was impressed on her mind by the strong
convection ne protessed to entertain ON the sub
Ject;
ne remained through tne summer months and
nNliS inueh recovered ms health, returned to
Town 10 resume MS profession, leaving ms un-
! happ! 'lctlm prey TO melancholy, and unable
20 attenG TO the duties she had before so cheer
luliy lliIlled' Inc husband was grleved at the
chalge' out WHOLLY unsusplclouS OF the cause.
a lew weeks OF active employment brought
Oh return OF consumption, and again the sur
geo" was appHeu TO- ana again received the de-
stroyer Oh MS peace ana bestowed every atten-
,'o" ." case "hlch Nc was soon aware was
hope!eSs' Inc unhappy young man mad also
siHrn'' persuasion, ana ms NINA appeared 10
suilcr sun more 'hah ms frame douots ana
.e'IoI arose. ana ne continually held conversa-
!lohs win the "iie' IN winch ne stated these new
impressions, and told her his greatest misery
arose rom !he idea that ne had perverted her
religlous principles and that ne should have to
answer ior 'he destruction OF ner soul as wei
as as MS own but ne frequently repeated III
there oe future state, and hnal Judgment,
ana II II be possible Tor departed spirit to re-
turn TO earth' you shall have some warning when
am DEAD winch may decide your opinion.
lew weeks OF great bodily and mental SUI,
ierihS terminated IN ms death; ms unweared
nurse received his last breath, and with 1t re-
newal OF the solemn pledge he had before given.
worn down by grief and fatigue she was un-
aoie TO follow the BODY TO the grave, but the
good ana unsuspecting husband wiling to show
every regard 10 the dead, made the whole oil ms
small eS'aoilsnment attend the funeral
ohe was lelt alone IN her agony During the
latter part oil the invalid lie. when he was
seated IN the CHAIR by the hreslde cane was
placed across the arm, with which he used to
summon ms watchtui irend when her domestic
business TOOK ner away Tor short time. AT
tnat PERIOD bells were not IN common use, three
aistlnct strokes on the hoor gave the signal OF
ner being wanted III the sick room, and 1t was