Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-06-13
superior but cogenial mind.

to personal affairs, where at length point was
gained at which Mr.. Brewer ventured to ask:
Have you no other friends but this P"
None in all the world, except perhaps,
brother
Mr. Brewer could scarcely ask further aues-
ton. Breaking the silence, Jennie said
My younger brother, Robert left US three
years ago--he was only fifteen then--in the
rush to California; thinking that, though only
boy, he might bring back gold enough to
make his father comfortable for life. We heard
of his arrival and a promising beginning, but
nothing since. Two years ago we came to live
at this end of the city, and possibly at that time
he changed his location. At any rate his let
ters have never reached us, nor have ours
renched him The other dav, when father
came home he had received tdngs from him.
for he said so just as he was dying; but the
news itself died on his lips, and have no clew
whatever to its nature. Brother Robert was
noble boy, sir-the bravest and the best boy
ever knew
Just here the tears would start, and long
silence followed.
Mr.. Brewer had brought purse with little
gold in it, thinking to slip it into the hand Of
the girl whose trials had so touched his SYM
pnthy; but when he rose to 60 the act seemed
impossible; he did not dare to do it, he could
only ask, with the deepest respect
Il thank you very much for your call, Mr..
Brewer-very much. There is only one thing
you can do for me-employ me, if my work
/ peases YOU
No need to follow the plain board coffin
rough casket for such a father-to its place
among the silent poor in the great cemetery.
If the faded shawls clung close to the poor
girls form chilled by the autumn wind drop
ping tears upon the turf alone by the poor
1 r,opis uravn urdnr IL bnat nc warm sdauUh-
ter's heart, and lived as rich woman's nature,
as ever moved gay and proud in choicer and
happier scenes.
Jennie could not and would not leave the
dear old room, hallowed now by the memory of
sainted father. She lived there alone There
was no objection to it now, for only a young
and elastic tread walked the creakings in the
long flight CT old stairs.
The bright faced boy came and went every
day with bundle. The work was very nice,
and the pay was so much better as to give a
new chintz to a deep brown with tiny white
figure. Mr.. Brewer came occasionally. He
slid quietly into the place of friend, brought
books for Jennie to read, and then discussed
their contents with her.
There were many points upon which they
differed. Both liked very well TO differ; for
) Jennie found pleasure in arousing his deep,
earnest strength of expression, and he was
never weary of awakening that flash of her
large brown eyes and easy dignity of talk which
served her from all other of his friends.
Mr. Brewers calls were not frequent, but
t they never failed during the many months in
whce she sat and sewed in the humble attic
room.
Alas for the struggling, tossed, brave, and
| weary girl These visits, so comforting at
first, were coming to be source of pain-in
fact, and especially in prospect.
He came and went as kind, disinterested
1 friend always considerate and appreciative, but
always self poised. Knowing and trusting him
: as true friend she yet knew pothing of the
man but what she saw in her own home. He
never talked of himself. The lad who came
and went with bundles had once or twice spoken
of father in manner which convinced her
| that Mr.. Brewer was husband, and this his
Y son. That was all but it was decisive. And
vet though settled on this from the first, time
n wore on, the companionship and sympathy OF
< her one visitor grew into aneed and then ne
I cessity. No reasonings, no wiltul checkings,
= no self condemnation even, could stay the
r growth of that giant presence by which at last
= she was covered and overpowed. In vain Jen-
Y ME flashed indignation on herself that she
0 should love the loved Of another woman heart
"A husband and father. In vain she wept, and
i struggled and prayed. The chains grew tigh-
ter, holding her to misery to which all the
sadnesses of her life bore no comparison.
I
The afternoon sun of September sabbath
n wrapped in a CHEEKY light the dark, sea washed
e tn hull of an ocean steamer coming up the bay
It to the crowded pier.
|. At the same moment Jennie's friend turned
= down a dull, dark street, entered doorway
d and ascended the cracking stairs. 1t was on'
S of the pleasures of Jennies room that, far ava!
= ,ha hrick bOncps with their smoked
smoking chimneys, lay the always changing
picture of the bay. To-day after long discus
5. sion of the beauties and bemishes, first o
d The Old Curiosity Shop and then OF DE Gum
1, cey's Confessions with other and minor talk
Jennie touched upon the scenery OF the bay
lr with its white-winged butterflies and the blael
beetle that, an hour or two before, had 6eel
= crawling up the harbor.
10 Il always think she said, when l look ou
lie upon the harbor, that perhaps some day it wi
II bring my brave brother home to me and the
Of shall not be alone, nor unhappy, nor tired an
g more Oh if | could only know whether h
r is living or dead-whether l shall ever hay
him again.
J. The tears would come, and her eyes were a
ID gistening as she looked into the face Of ht
- friend.
m Mr. Brewer seemed absent, yet present; ter
ot der, yet i'll at ease. The thought darted int
n, her mind, Perhaps he knows more Vi III
w brother than Lit was so new thing to Sc
him perturbed. 10
n Have ever told you anything of myself
err he asked, at length.
of Never
N. ITnon this he moved chair close beside he
ed but SO AS not to meet her glance, and told th
or story of his life down to the present hour.
he was told concsely; but all the prominent fac
of we're there. Then changing his place, takin
w. her cold hand, and looking into her eyes,
ne brought tears to them again, and bushes to h,
er face, by the question,
!. 'Will YOU trust me and love meP
IS Jennie whispered couldn't find her voic
I'd 'Will IP l always have
When they had both found words for otht
k, sentences, and Jennie had been talking, M
id Brewer exclaimed,
ly Married. never even loved before
re 4 slow step was heard on the staircase,
ell gentle rap at the door, and pale young ms
ce entered
'Jenniep
tn Robertn
ad And the maiden had another JOY added
as the sweetest bliss of life
ok But Robert had come home to die-to die
the day dies, slowly reoeding to the other si
NJ Of life.
he He had brought the gold which he had spe
he his Young life in earning for the two at hon