Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-09-30
Charity.

And now abideth Faith, Hope, Charity, but the
greatest of these is Charity
1t is hopeful sign in young man
when his meditations on heavenly virtues
are so deep and earnest as to cause him
almost unconsciously to repeat aloud to
himself passages of Holy Writ, as did DR..
Norton, riding slowly home in his sulky,
one clear June afternoon, the above quoted
verse But when we confde to you that
he had just come from well-todo Farmer
Abbotts, whose three blooming daughters
were severally named Faith, Hope, and
Charity, it may reasonable be doubted
whether the handsome young doctors med
itations were as much on heavenly virtues
as on earthly.
1t was rather pretty tableau that he
interrupted when he stepped into the Alb
botts coy sitting-room, that afternoon,
and somehow its memory haunted him still.
The wheels Of his light sulky made no
noise as they rolled over the grassy lawn
in front of the house, and with all the
freedom of the intimate 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 Charity, the young
est of the sisterly trio had that very day
purchased pair of new gaiter boots, and
at the very moment when he darkened the
doorway, was exhibiting them for the opin-
on 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.
little strip of snowy stocking, and, above
ALL the faintest suspicion of dimity rutfiing.
Down went the dress, however, when she
suddenly saw her trio of spectators changed
to a quartette, and 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, saucily walking up to
him, determined TO face it bravely out, and
thrusting forward one dainty foot
Hum, well" said the doctor, with as
much gravity as though he were pronounc-
ing 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
cobbler I'd take off half inch of that, but
perhaps you'll stand it if you've been used
to that sort of thing. Don't pinch any
where, do they? Consumption soled ? No,
as | live, good, honest, half-inch soles |
think they'll do, Miss Charity"
. What is your consultation fee ~ said
Charity, gravely pulling out neat port
monnaie.
" Five dollars in so important case as
a., ,al +l,o
cozy rocking chair, " but don't pay me the
money, I'll take this chair for few mo-
ments, and glass of water, and call it
even;" SO Charity went for the water.
When she came in with it, he was just max
ing known his errand.
I've been to see old Mrs. Wells She
is very low, won't last much longer, but
the family Y are all worn out, and l agreed
to send watcher for tonight So l called
to see if one of you ladies wouldn't 60"
" can't, I'm sure" said Mrs. Abbott,
promptly. q haven't been able to watch
for years, but one of the girls could CO." l
shouldn't like to 60 into such place, said
Faith, " they are so poor and everything
seems so disagreeable there; )" and her
handsome face expressed such lofty disdain
that for moment DR.. Norton felt quite
ashamed that he had ever made such sug-
gestlon to one so gracefully fastidious.
Il should be really afraid to CO." and
Hope raised her soft, blue eyes, timidly to
him. What if the poor Creature should
die in the night Hope Abbott looked
Just what she was, a gentle, confding girl,
and we must pardon our young hero, if the
thought did pass throug gh his head, what
pleasure it would be to cherish and protect
one SO lovely all his life.
"l'll go" said Charity, quietly, l." I'm
not afraid, and if the place is disagreeable
[ can endure it for one night, Even if the
poor creature should die L can call the
family" "Yes certainly" said the outer
DIR. Norton, while the inner man was say
ing, Most sensible of the three sisters !,
Behold true Charity! " I'm glad to have
found suitable watcher for the night, and
also much obliged to you, Miss Charity
said he, as he took his leave few mo-
ments after. 1.-The family will tell you ali
about the medicines and drinks, and / shall
be over myself in the morning, unless
hear of her death previously. Keep up
good courage, and take good care of your