Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-08-26

~ harrs O. i.ninea VI.
TIE night came down aud the good wife smiled
Ts herself ns sho sonly aid.
OUTS sweet To- lator for those We love,
Irsuct strange that maids will vel ir
How The Double Blessing Came.
Deacon Gray had a habit, aud he carried it
through life Of making the wants and suffer-
ings Of others in some sort his own. The hab-
it or whatever else itmight be called, certain
ly increased with his years, aud his worthy
help-mate through the long period of their
welded life, through the influence of assimila-
tion, and, above all, the heavenly fruit of
sanctifed sorrow had grown to be modelled
very nearly after the same pattern.
So when the deacon sat down one wild,
stormy night, paper and spectacles in hand,
aud related the "news" which was in every
bodys mouth as they seated themselves around
cheerful tea-tabes and blazing fires, or gather
ed in social knots at the village store, Mrs.
Gray ceased to rock back and forth in herarm
chair, cushioned with hens feathers, and drop
ped her knitting work, quite regardless Of lit
tie black and white kitten at her side, which
put the ball to the use feline fancy suggest
cd
g. And what will become of Jerry9"
Fifty other people had asked that same
question that day but coming from good
Mrs. Gray's honest heart, the very words
sounded differently, like the same tune played
ia dissimilar keyes.
The deacon's eye, as it sought the paper
fell on the shipping list. but it was quickly
Withdrawn, as if the glance pained him. His
answering remark most persons would have
thought decided DEPRESSION from the sub
ject
at is just three years tonight, Mary,
since we heard our boy was drowned. We
were expecting him home from that voyage,
and you put on your best silk dress that he
bought for you in Canton aud ser the tea-table
with the China set"
Mrs Gray's eyes sought the burning en-
bers which flashed and fickered on that
neyer-to-be-iorgotten night aud puss made
another tangle in the yarn.
4 pain, sharp choking, strangledher. Viii
liam was their only son. the pride of their
hearts a brght-cyed, merry boy. But he
was born within sight Of the sea, and from
MS NiIAN N'NiiNUpAls NNHN ilit flut lilAiAI HHli
made wonderful voyages over mimic oceans
all his thoughts and desires centered on the
blue heaying waves with strange facination
which his fond parents, much as they loved
him, could not resist.
SO William went TO sea. 1t almost broke
/ the mothers heart but when he came home
from his voyage so handsome and manly, with
the rich heathiul color flushing his bronzod
check, it throbbed with pride aud joy, as only
a mothers knows.
lie had a story to tell Far away from
home but with all its sweet influences hover
Ing around his path like so many guardian
angels, pacing the deck in the starry tropica
night watches, God had met him. not in flame
not in the earthquake, or the whirlwind, bu
in the stiil small voice " Of love Th
prayers Of Deacon Gray and his wife wcr
answered, aad William went back to his shil
that most noble sight on Gods earth, on open
handed, open-hearted Christian sailor.
Then came the shock 1t traced broa
burrows on the good deacon's kindly face
bowed his tall, straight form, and silvered hi
wife's brown hair; but we draw veil owe
that fearful night with its memories. Their
was a HAhANh nhiAhNs Ahh ~ NANAhNh VI
peaceable fruits of righteousness
Do you think any of Williams clothC
that you keep in the red trunk would do 70
Jerry with little fxin'2 " inquired the deo
con, clearing his voice, which had grown
, little husky.
? We will not transcribe gentle Mrs Gray
reply, nor relate the long conversation whic
f followed, extending into the small hours {
, the night. Suffice it to say, that on the MOI
, row the deacons horse and wagon took jou
ney to the hoye where lived Jerry.
l The poor boy was crouching on a stra
e pallet in the corner, resisting all endeayor
t stern or kindly, to induce him to quit h
G wrctched home. His father had deserted hi
G when an infant, his mother in her thirst ft
d liquor, forgot all her maternal instincts, an
D died one cold stormy night from the effects
l. drinking.
5 Jerry must 20 to the poor-house, the neigl
e bors said; but Jerry had another mind abol
the matter, aud, half frightened at the crow
), of strange faces, looked about him with
c pinched, hungry face, and eyes like those
wild animals at bay. They pitied him. an
dsliked employing force, but while delibera
!. ing what course TO pursue, Deacon Gray el
b. tered the hut making his way straight throug
!, the crowd to Jerry.
Ny poor boy, am sorry for you.
c YOU don't want to 90 to the poor-house, pc
haps you would like to 60 home with me.
have no little boy, and want one. You sha
have some nice clothes to wear if you wi
come"
|, The deacon waited for no answer. He sa
. the quick, eager look of the boys face, Il
q yielding, trustful clasp of his little hand, al
n drove away with him,
. Mrs. Gray met them at the door Of Il
\ pleasant farmhouse
4 take these dirty duds of of him the fir
% thing, Mary" said her husband "and gi'
a him his supper, and then he will do"
n Mrs. Gray was not slow in obeying the a
I, vice. Her heart warmed to the poar iorsak'
E boy, as his eyes rested on her face with sh
,s timid gaze, hungry for new draughts Of Il
! love that he had never seen before.
a " He would be really pretty" she said
Il her husband, after the washing and dressiI
Va operations were over, "if it weren't for b
- starved look. But we'll soon remedy that
,e Aud slipping into the pantry, she filled 4
china bowl that William had liked so well
of eat from, and set il before Jerry.
- And so, warmed as he had never been
!, his life before, he went to sleep that night
n. pretty bedroom, with snowy curtains, al
such soft, white pillows on which to rest
weary little head, that no wonder he thoug
of himself in heaven.
No One or two years passed by, and Meth