Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-03-22

! DdCh NlL0 Hls Dtels TdtLcI OlSneT tldn III
head. with a sporting paper in one hand anC
a cigar in the other, lOunged Mr.. Herman
Rutherford, the second brother he was tn,
farmer, the gardener, and sportsman of the
family; an independent thinker, speaker
and actor; affecting supreme disregard fol
externals, but, singularly enough, manifes
ting it by the invention of strangely-cut
coats and outre neck-ties. He was, possibly,
little less polished than his brothers, but
still "a gentleman, every inch of hin -
So said Mrs. Harris, the housekeeper, and
she ought TO know, for she had been in the
family ever since he was thing OF inches.
Deeply ensconced in a large arm chair.
like one who has retreated from the noisy
world, sat the youngest brother in a Powered
dressing gown and worked slippers, with
book in his hand This was Mr.. Roland
Rutherford. the gentleman (par e1cellence)
the scholar, the reader of the family, the
master OF ceremonies, if ceremony ever
came into their free, sans souci, bachelor
abode
There had been silence for few moments,
and then Roland spoke, closing his book aud
yawning slightly.
"What glorious morning Are either
Of YOU going into town ~
from his paper. Il promised Bennett I'd
show him about those trees to-day. | expect
him every moment"
Il am not said Mr.. Oliver, dropping
his spoon 'but shall send James in with
the wagon this morning Have you any
errands for him to do, either ufyou ?''
Il believe not" said Roland 81 may
ride in myself this morning"
GsWbof dow for this uvnuld bo ~
said Herman. 81 wish | had not told Ben
net to come to-day I would be OF to the
trout streams. The fish would bite to-day for
very enjoyment.
81 wish you would 60 again" said Oil
yer "those last trout were excellent
"Weren't they, though? And We had
fine sport taking them
"Have the letters and papers come yet ?"
demanded Roland, looking up from his book
again.
II don't know-I dars say they have"
said Oliver, glancing at the clock, and he
| touched the table bell.
| "Have the papers come yet p he asked Of
the spruce-looking man-seryant who an
swered his summons.
al don't know, sir, | saw James coming
just as you rang. [ will inquire"
In a moment he reappeared, with a small
silver salver in his hand, upon which lay
two or three papers and one letter, and
handed them to Mr.. Oliver Rutherford, who
took the letter, and motioning him to leave
the papers, commenced a deliberate survey
OF the envelope.
"Who is it for ?'' asked Mr. Herman
1T is addressed go the Messrs. Ruther-
ford, Brothers. "
"In their corporate capacity ?'' said Mr..
Roland "and who from p
II do not know" said his brother, still
| turning the. letter round and round "but
see it is a foreign letter"
"Ah, indeed quite an interesting occa-
sion, said Mr.. Herman. Don't know the
hand, Oliver, hey p
"No" said Mr.. Oliver, still continuing
his cautious investigation al don't think
do
Excuse me, my dear fellow, said Roland
with the slightest touch Of sarcasm IN his
tone "but might be permitted to suggest
that you could have greater facilities for as
certaining all that if you took the trouble
to open the letter.
Possibly might do So" said Oliver,
composedly doing as his brother had advised.
sit looks like lawyers letter." he added,
glancing his eye over the closely written
page.
Alarming, very," laughed Roland "a
writ of habeas corpus, probably do you
think they will take the body corporate p
"If they take any body" said Mr.. Her
man. joining IN the laugh. 81 think they
will undoubtedly take Oliver's-he is in the
best condition, certainly"
He looks troubled said Roland 81
think be anticipates sheriff. 3"
"Pshaw :" said Oliver. who had been
busily reading the letter. Boys
The two mature and dlgniied gentlemen
addressed by this juvenile appellative turned
toward h i'm in evident expectation.
"Tom's dead - was the laconic announce
ment of the letter-holder.
"Is he, indeed You don't say SO 80 said
Roland, dryly. 81 am immensely sorry
grieved to the heart but it would give
more intense interest to tho occasion if !
knew precisely what Tom it was.
Tom what Tom ? Tom who ? and
where did he die ?" asked the more matter
of-fact brother Herman.
"1I Florence why, you know, of course
-Tom-our Tom-Cousin ToT-Tom Ruth
erford.'
"Pshaw Tom Rutherford ? You don't
mean so Tom Rutherford Why, Oh
yer. he was younger than either OF us.
Herman Rutherford said this with slight
tone of pique, as if it was preposterOus
and rather presuming thing on the part OF
! Cousin Tom to take such decided step as
diving without the sanction and example OF
| his older kinsman.
Poor Tom - unused Brother Roland
che was handsome fellow, and pleasant
companion, too. Do you remember that last
! Christmas he spent here when we were poyS
What capital skater he was, and what
fine, generous, merry fellow and dead!!-
an. well, poor Tom what does the letter
say about him, Oliver p
"Well," ;" said Mr.. Oliver, looking up with
a perplexed and troubled face, ait says
great deal. 1t is written by poor Tom s law
Yer and man of business and he says he
writes in obedience to Toms lset orders, to
say. that being in Strengthened circumstances,
and unable to make any suitable provision
for his only child, Miss Rutherford, be be-
oueathed her to us, his nearest of KIN, beg
eing us. for the sake of the old love, and the
old family name, to receive her as daughter,
and give her home among us"
Receive her as daughter - replied Ro-
land. Having never been called upon to
appear in that interesting relationship, and
consequently our course of conduct under
such trying circumstances not having been
tested, it would not be easy to determine with
accuracy what it might have been"
.'Preposterous ~ said Herman. "What
send her here to live, without so much as by
your leave, and then to 60 and die right out
Of the way, before we could refuse--I DO
say that is the coolest thing
'.What else does the letter say, Oliver
askrd Roland
"Oh, the young lady and her maid will be
here by the 22nd, said Oliver. 'There, read
it for yourselves - and be tossed the letter
to Roland, who, having read it attentlveiy'
tossed it over to Herman.
How old do you suppose the girl Isl! ne
asked, when he had read it.
ii am sure don't know said Oliver.
Let me see-lom was married the year al
ter sister Kate was, and that was twenty
years ago Don't you remember his writing
us OF the death Of his wife, leaving him oDe
little girl7 This must be the one Bless
your soul "she must be sixteen or seventeen.
at least !"