Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-09-05

But this last did not console poor Bessie
in the least---it was not intended that il
should.
have related the more amusing part Of
Mr.. Greene's devotion TO newspaperdom
but there were graver consequences in store
for his family. AS time progressed, his de-
votion 10 this species of literature amount
Cd TO monomania, sanctioned in his eyes,
by the plea that his line of business render
ed such devotion imperative. This. how
ever. could not blind Mrs. Greene to the |
fact that, even If the material interests of
her children were advanced by this absorp- |
iien. mentally and morally they rnust be
the sufferers.
Johnny, who was a lively impatient boy, |
needed strict and careful training but when
ever Bessie spoke Of his faults to her hus-
band, the reply was, "Of course, Bessie,
can't be al home all day to look after the
children!" or else Johnny received sharp,
short rebuke that did more harm than good.
" If his father would only take two or three
evenings in the week." Bessie would think,
sand interest the boy in some pursuit that
would occupy his thoughts and keep him
out of mischief!" But the wish was in
vain. Give Mr.. Greene his slippers and
paper when the day was ended, and he was
cblivous of all else until bed time.
Lulu, fortunately, had too watchful care
from her mother to suffer as yet from this
want of paternal solcitude, and was already
/ beginning to mature into lovely woman,
whose brilliant spirits created a glow of life
wherever she came. There were other
eyes than her moller's that became con-
scious of this, and among them fine pair
belonging to certain Gilbert Livingstone,
who proceeded to egince his admiration in
numerous ways.
As far as appearances went, there was
nothing Objectionable about the young man.
He was scrupulous in the regard of all ex-
ternal observances, and peculiarly well bred
and attractive III manner. Mrs. Greene,
noting his demonstrative admiration Of Lu-
, In, said to her husband, 1t is plain that
t Gilbert Livingstone thinks deal of our
t Loo. He comes from B, he tells me
and l wish you would inquire about him
, among your friends"
Mr.. Greene opened his eyes in astonish
9 ment at the idea of Lulu's having suitol
! lit had never occurred to him that she
: was anything but very child--he replied
6 Certainly, will find out about the youn!
/, man but ii would be rather absurd to tax
5 anything for granted at this early stage"
: A little while after Lulu glided into th
| room upon some noiseless errand, and Mr.
: Greene, regarding her attentively, saw hov
sweet and womanly she had grown. Sh,
t reminded him of Bessie. and how she hat
looked when he first discovered that h,
loved her--and the remembrance movet
him. ~ Come here, Lulu, and give me {
kiss" be said at length.
; Lulu, with wonder in her eyes, complied
with the request, and Mr.. Greene, smooth
} ing her hair, added in a tone of unwonted
affection, Papa may not say great deal
/ but he loves his little Lulu very muchl"
The girl, with tears in her eyes, went te
! her mother and said. /" What do you think
mother2 Father actually asked ME to kiss
: him just now {" And Bessie sighed to
+ think such request should seem unusual.
must certainly inquire about that
9 young man." thought Mr.. Greene, as Lulu
A left the room. But the elections were COM
/ ing on, aud Mr.. Greene was no half way
' politician. He believed that his favurite
candidate, Magog, was the man to "save
Il tlit COUNTY NuiiC 1OE wac
! yillAinl and consequently devoted himself
more than ever to the columns of the Ex.
S tirpator, which exerted itself 10 prove these
: two facts. SO the days slipped by, and il
I his absorbing anxiety TO see Magog elected
5 and Cog defeated, Mr.. Greene forgot Lulu
t and her admirer entirely.
E One morning Lulu came TO her mother
: and with blushing timidty, condded to hei
/, that she and Gilbert Livingstone were en-
: gagged. "That is, / told him, if--if yor
: and father are willing"
S This was unexpected even to Mrs. Greene
: aud determining TO depend no longer upor
her husband, she ascertained the name o
}, one Of the principal citizens Of B., ant
i wrote accordingly. She received reply
d that stunned her. Gilbert Livingstone
though belonging to one of the first fami
: lies in B, had covered himself witt
y dishonor. Occupying position of trust
he had proved himself defauter, and hae
] been obliged to leave the place in conse
]; quence. lie has the bearing of gentle
:. man, and the heart Of villain ! ended tn,
letter. With it open in her hand Mrs
e Greene came to her husband and gave it t,
i him to read When he had finished, lookins
d at his wife, it was to meet an expression o
t reproach stern and unusual.
e He answered it by saying in q depreca
d tory tone, Well, well, if there is anythin;
e between Lulu and this precious rascal, i
Il must be broken off at once"
e slf her heart be broken too, suppos,
: il will not matter. You will find consola
ton in the columns of your newspaper"
e Mr.. Greene felt he had deserved the re
d proach, and was silent.
e Poor Lulu, the blow fell heaviest upor
0 her She had always been SO happy, ant
i believed so thoroughly in every ones good
e ness, and now, chilled and shivering at th,
/, shadow of sin that had fallen upon hel
e brightest hopes, she went about palid ano
b dropping.
!, Mr.. Greene, in fit of remorseful pen
6 itenee at his neglect, devoted himself to hi
r child fora fortnight, and invented schemes
e to vile away her sadness. Lulu was very
e patient and grateful; but her mother felt
in her inmosi heart that her chiId's bloom
+ and freshness would never COME back
+ Time might palliate, but would never Who'll
= ly remedy the shock she had received. AND
u. IL. 4.