Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-09-23
CHARITY.

tii A RII l.
A -tory thni Begins nt Home, and End. There.
And now atidath Faith. Hope. Charity. tui the
greatest of these Is Charity"
IL is a hopeful sign in a young man, when
his melitations ON heavenly virtues are so deep
aud earnest as to cause him almost uncon-
sciously to repeat aloud to himself passages
Of Holy Writ, as did DR.. Norton, riding
slowly home in his sulky, one clear june az
ternoon, the above quoted verse. But when
we confdc to you that he had just come from
well-to-do Farmer Abbott's, whose three
blooming daughters were severally named
Faith. Hope. aud Charity, It may reasonably
be doubted whether .he handsome young doc
tors mcditations were as much on heavenly
virtues as on earthly.
1t was rather pretty tabIeau that he in
tcrruptcd when he stepped into the Abbott's
cozy sitting-room, the, afternoon, and some
how its memory haunted him still The
wheels Of his light -ulky made no noise as
they rolled over the grassy lawn in front Of
the house. and with an the freedom of an in-
innate acquaintance he sprang lightly to the
steps, then in through the open door, without
knocking, and was in their midst before they
knew him to be anywhere near. Now Char
ity, the youngest of the sisterly trio had that
very day purchased pair Of new gaiter
boots and at the very moment when he dark
ened the doorway, was exhibiting them for
the opinion Of her mother and sisters. So
she stood in the middle Of the room, her dress
raised Just far enough to show the trim boots,
a little strip Of snowy stocking and, above
/ all the iaintest suspicion Of dimity rufilng.
( Down went the dress, however, when she sud-
/ denly saw her trio of spectators changed to a
quartettc, aud up, up to the very verge of
/ her brown hair, mounted the rosy bushes
| but the burst Of laughter from her mother
and sisters at her discontinue, reused her to
composure. I'D like to know your opinion
on my new boots, DR.. Norton said the little
puss, sauciy, walking up to him, determined
to face it brayely ont, and thrusting forward
one dainty foot
Hum we'll" said the doctor, with as
much gravity as though he were pronouncing
on a case of malignant typhus, "let us see.
! Cloth, but that's no objection if you'll always
remember your rubbers in the damp. Heel
rather too high if | were a cobbler I'd take
of half inch Of that, but perhaps you'll
stand it if you've been used to that sort of
thing Don't pinch anywhere, do they
Consumption soled? No, as | live, good
honest, halfinch soles think they'll do,
Miss Charity
What is your consultation iee2' said
Charity, grayely pulling out neat Portnon
naie
4" Five dollars in so important case as
this" replied the doctor subsidug into cozy
rocking chair {" but don't pay me the money
I'll take this chair for Il few moments and a
glass of water, and call it eyen;' so Charity
went for the water When she came in with
it, he was Just making known his errand.
." I've been to see old Mrs Wells She il
very low, won't last much longer, but the
family are all worn out, and | agreed to send
a watcher for tonight 80 | called to see il
one of you ladies wouldn't go
81 can't I'm sure said Mrs. Abbott
promptly. haven't been able to watch fol
years, but one of the girls could GO
shouldn't like to 60 into such place, sale
Faith, they are so poor and everything
seems so dsagreeable there; y and her hand
some face expressed such lofty disdain thai
G,r , momcnt Dir Norton felt unite ashame,
,bat he had over made snch n succession /,
ope so gracefully Gstidious
IT sbould he really afraid TO oop ant
uonc roised her soft blue ewes. timidly I,
b;m What r. tho moor creature sboul,
J;o in tbo nigbt % Hone Abbott looked ms
vb.t She was GENTLE. condding GIRL and w
mnst nordon ouT Young hero. f tho THOUGH
All nass tbrongb Iis head what pleasure
worId ho 10 cherish and nrotoct one So Lowell
all bis ife
nI,n an - said Charity. ouietly. " I'm no
,G.o;J ,nd If the nlace * disoorceable | ear
cndnrc aS II nr one pigbt Even II the moo
creotnre cr,.' - sbonld die [ can cali the family =,
=. w. oor,o;nlr " said tbe outer DIR Norton
Will tbo inner man was saving viz, :. Mos
sonsiblo of the three sisters Behold tru
, Cbar;tv (yb y, oI'm very dad TO have found
snitahio watcher far the NIGHT and also mucI
g ohl;,.oa 70 you Miss Charity . said he. as h,
tont his leave a few moments after. "Th
: smiy will tell you all about the medicine