Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-08-31

ana haTu heaTteu, shlu Maiy' JUST Ht1iu
to begin with. You would only stoop TO
conquer, John, and deserve to conquer.
May gain my deserts them said John.
Arc you not TO be my loving wife. Mary -
And arc you not 10 sit at needle work in my
studio, whilst paint my great historical pic
ture How can this come to pass If Nir. Col
lett will do nothing for MS
'Ah, how indeed ? said Mary. But here's
our friend Peter Finch coming through the
gate from his walk. ! leave you together. -
And so saying, she withdrew.
What Meade said Peter Finch, as he en-
tered, 'skulking indoors on a fine morning
like this I've been all through the village.
Not an ugly place--but wants looking after
sadly. Roads shamefully muddy Pigs al
lowed TO walk on the footpath
Dreadful I! exclaimed John.
Il say, you came out pretty strong last
night said Peter Quite dcfcd the old
man. But like your spirit
Il have no doubt you do, thought John.
'Oh, when was youth ! was little that
way myself said Peter but the world
the world, my dear sir-soon cures as OF all
romantic notions. regret, Of course to see
poor people miserable but what's the use Of
rcgretting It's no part Of the business of
the superior classes to interfere with the laws
Of supply and demand poor people must be
miserable What can be cured must he en-
durcd
That is to say, returned John, what we
can cure, they must endure.
Exactly so, said Peter
Mr.. Collctt this day was too i'll to leave his
bed. About noon he requested TO see his
ncphews in his bedroom. They found him
propped mp by pillows, looking very weak,
but in good spirits as usual
We'll, boys said he, hero am, you sec,
brought to anchor at last Tho doctor will
be here soon, l suppose, to shake his head
and write recipes Humbug, my boys ! Pa
ticuts can do as much for themselves, be-
lieyc the doctors can do for thcm-they re
all in the dark togcther-thc only difference
is, that the patients gropo in English, and the
doctors grope in Latin.
'You are too skcptica, sir said Mr.. John
Meade.
Pooh - said MI Collott let us change
She subject. | want your advice, Peter and
John, on a matter that concerns your inter.
osts. I'm going to make my will to-day, and
| don't know how to act about your cousin,
Emma Briggs. Emma disgraced US by mar
rying an GILMAN.
A vulgar, shocking oil-man (! said Mr.. Col
lett "a wretch who not only sold oil, but soap,
candles, turpentine, black lead and birch
brooms. 1t was dreadful blow to the family.
Her grandmother never got over it. and a
maiden aunt turned Methodist in despair
We'll, Briggs, the GILMAN, died last week, it
seems; and his widow has written for assist
aucc. Now. have thought of leaving her a
hun hot d
think of it; I'm afraid she don't deserve it.
What right had she to marry against the adj
vico Of her friends What have l to do with
her misfortunes;
Mind mind is quite made up, said Peter
Finch; mo notice ought to be taken Of her.
She made an obstinate and unworthy match
and let her abide the consequences.
Now for your opinion John, said Mr.. Col
lott
Upon my word, | think l must say the
same, said John Meade, braciny himself up
boldly for the part ola worldly man. What
right had she to marry ,--as you observe with
great justice, sir. Let her abide the consc-
qucnces, as you very properly remarked,
Finch. Can't she carry on the oilman's busi-
ness dare say it would support her very
we'll"
why, no. said Mr.. Collett; Briggs died
bankrupt, and his widow and children are
destitute
That does not alter the question: said Pc
ter Finch. Let Briggs's family do something
for her.
To be surer said Mr.. Collctt; Briggs
family are the people to do something for her.
She mustn't expect anything from us-must
she, John =
Destitute, is she; said John. with child
rem, too! Why, this is another case, sir
You surely ought to notice her-to assist her.
Coniound it, I'm for letting her have the
hundred year
'Oh, John, John What a break down -
said Mr.. Coliett. so you were trying TO fol-
low Peter Finch through Stony Arabia, and
turned back nc the second step Here's a
brave traveller for you, Peter John, John,
keep to your Arabia Felix, and leave storner
ways to very different men. Good bye, both
OF you. I've no voice to talk any more. I'll
think over all you have said.
lie pressed their hands, and they left the
room. The old man was too weak to speak
the next day, and in three days after that he
calmly breathed his last.
As soon as the funeral was over, the will
was read by the confidential man Of business,
who had always attended to Mr.. Collects al-
fairs. The group that sat around him proser-
we'd decorous appearance ofdisinorestedness;
and the usual preamble to the will having
been listened to with breathess attention, the
man of business read the following, in clear
voice.
i bequeath to my niece, Emma Briggs, not
withstandiug that she shocked her family by
marrying an GILMAN, the sum Of four thousand
pounds being fully persuaded that her lost
dignity, if she could ever find it again, would
do nothing to provide her with food or cloth
ing or shelter.
John Meade smiled, and Peter Finch ground
his teeth-tut in quiet, respectful manner.
The man of business went on with his
reading -
Having always held the opinion that wo-
man should be rendered rational and indc-
pendent being-and having duly considered
the fact that society practically denies her the
right to earn her own living-I hereby be-
queath to Mary Sutton, the only child of my
old friend, Frederick Sutton, the sum of ten
thousand pounds, which will enable her to
marry or remain single, as she may prefer"
John Meade gave a prodigous start upon
hearing this, and Peter Finch ground his
teeth again-but in a manner hardly respect
ful. Both, however, by violent effort, kept
silent