Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-06-29

then new pair OF boots, so sinhil lhat coulc
have sworn Toms feet would never get into
them. / discovered. too, Through Mrs
Prtchard. 5 that Tom had taken to shaving IN
secret. and was daily on the outlook fot whisk.
ers. My amazcmout was unboundcd. could
not for the life Of me account for it but as
the change was good ono, and as ! rcmem-
bcred the rebuff got when spoke Of his
hair. ! considered it best to keep quiet.
Dick said Tom to me at dinner ono day,
this is December, is it not
December, Yes
very cold wcaher for Docombcr.N
We'll rather
Il think, said Tom, 4 would be the better
Of something warmer than this old grcat-coat
Of mine.
'Of course you would. I've said so often.
You should get ono Of those Highland cloaks !:
they look very comfortable; they are fashion,
able too And Tom actually came home that
evening, in one, presenting, | must say, a
very imposing appearance
And now Tom, who could not be coaxed
out Of the house except in college hourg
evineed a sudden propensity for afternoon
walks positive passion for them. Dick
he would say at the very time when used
to enjoy read by the fire; Dick, put on
your hat, and let us have a stroll
went but it was not a stroll. II was any
thing but a stroll. 1t was regular. unyariod
walk to Royal Circus, twice round the circus
and back again. 1t was the coldost, and
bleakost and most dismal round which could
have been selected Yet this walk Tom would
take, and no other. Soon however ho gave
over asking me to go-secmed anxious, in
fact that shouldn't go. One day, in par
ticular, be suddenly appeared fully equipped.
and said, 'Wcll ! am off for a stroll
Wait one minute, said l and shall be
with you
Don't mind, said he; 4 shan't be long
It looks as if it were going to rain. and hur-
ricd out. The afternoon wore away-tea time
came yet Tom bad not returned. lie din't
return till halfpast ten
'llalloo, Tom, you have taken toorably
long stroll to nightT
All! looked up to see my aunt She's
not very well just now
Your aunt 2
Aunt Patcrson--mother's sister. don't
think you know her
! certainly did not--had mover heard Other,
to my knowledge
Next day when VIC had finished dinner.
we drew our chairs to the frcsidc, and pro-
cceded TO make some observations on the
condition Of Italy.
on, bang it" cried Tom, clapring his
hand to bis coat-pockot, 4 have forgotten to
post that letter.;
lie throw on his hat and cloak, and was
off. llalf-past ten again before he returned.
Halloo, Tom I said, you have taken
toiorably long time to post that letter.
No; | was up seeing my aunt
oh, yes by the way, is she better to-
night
Not decidedly so; rather worse, should
8 y if anything
Il am sorry for that but come lot us have
a quiet pipe.
Not tonight, thank you.
What! exclaimed, in considerable aston
ishmcnt, for Tom smoked every night with
the regularity Of clock-work. Not smoke
before going to bed
No; ] find that it is not agreeing with me.
| see DIR. Prout shows that it ruins the CON
So Tom retired and | sat and smoked alone,
wondering whether Tom could be insane. and
where this extraordinary change might be cx-
poeted to end,
Next night | was mp making some arrange
ments with Fanny for our approaching mar
riagc.
ooh, Dick = she said, what merry follow
Tom Pidger is =
Tom Pidgcr where did you sec him.
why he took tea with US at Mrs Purdie's.
last night
Mrs. Patorsons you mean
Mrs Purdio's, Royal Circus. Julia, YOU
know, was a school companion of mine. We
had such fun breaking the pipes in Toms
pocket; and at last, Julia made him get down
on his knees and promise that he would never
smoke again.
'Ah said /, as the secret Of Toms NOR
phosis and his aunts illness % began to dawn
upon my mind how does Tom come to know
Julia Purdie
He met her on the train coming from Gas-
gov some weeks ago, and fell in love with
her suppose, and she-(but you must not
tell him, romcmber) -she fell in love with
Tom. Poor thing she loves him to distrac-
ton, ! believe. o Tom is there almost
every afternoon
This was precious news. Keeping it to
myself however, went home and found Tom
sitting Eliminating over the fire
'Ah' Tom, thought | should have caught
you smoking.
No, Dick, you won't catch me at that
again. see said he gravely, tapping him
self all over the waisooat, that am better
without it already
Dear me already Then DR.. Prout must
be quite correct. Oh by the way have
sad news for you, Tonight
What? cnquirod Tom with very long
face.
i hear that your aunt is dead
Ia : cried Tom, wheeling round in his
chair and giving me look of curious sur
prise' which is quiet Undesirable.
dead and gone, Tom, is your poor aunt
your mothers sister you know Mrs Pater-
son-not Mrs. Purdic- oh, nor
You should have seen Toms face all this
time. Shame and merrimont, curiosity and
ehagrin, chased each other off and on so ran
IDLY that they sometimes appeared to be all
mixed up IN tho same expression. At last
the ludicrous prevailed and Tom broke into
shouts Of laughter which it would have done
your heart good to hear. He looked very
red in the face, though being clearly good
deal ashamed Of himself He made me tell
how the secret had come out, and finding that
It really was out he became quite gushing
lie made me sit by him at the freside and
gave minute and circumstantial account of
the whole transacton-how in returning from
ulasgow by express he found himself in the
same carriage with fine old gentleman and
his daughter-'such beautiful girl, Dick p