Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-04-07
For &uttng 1llen,
TALKING AND DOING.
BY MARY GRACE uALplNE.


i was the most eloquent lecture Of the sea.
son, and by one who had gained high name
in the estimation Of the public aud the audi
cnce listened breathlcssly to the glowing
thoughts, which, clothed in such beautiful
language fell SO melodously from his tongue.
His theme was Lows the connecting link
between God and his children, and which, he
claimed, should bind in golden chain their
hearts TO each other that charity " that seek
eth not her own, that suiiercth long and is
kind, aud whose broad mantle " covorcth a
multitude Of sins
And, as the beautiful face Of the speaker
lighted up with the high and holy thoughts
TO which bis lips gave uttewuce, there were
few who gazed upon him but what felt that he
was their living and acting embodiment.
There was one sceptic present; an old man,
clad in coarse, il-6tting garments, and whose
white hair and beard conirasted oddly with
his bronzed face. He sat well back, and yet
whore he bad a good view Of the speaker
and there was am occasional curl Of his lip as
he listened.
Yet as the orator, warming with hi sii,
iect, dwclt upon the duty Of charity, the holy
power Of love, even his heart owned the spell
Of his cloquence, and the doubling, cynical
look vanished, giving place to a softer ez-
preston
"' Like Father, like son, does not always
hold good be muttered We shall see, we
shall scc,' and, as the speaker ceased be
moved towards the door He leaned heavily
upon a cane. aud walked as though one Of his
limbs wa. partially disabled
\ cold, drizlling rain was falling out,
though rather unpleasant to pedestrians it
mattered little to Howard Winn for whom q
covered carriage was waiting
As he was about to enter it, the old man
stepped forward aud laid his hand upon his
arm.
Mr.. Vim glanced carclossly at the coarse,
rusty attire.
81 have nothing for you" he said, shak-
ing of the hand roughly Stand back or
TN put you in charge Of the police
You mistake, | only wanted"
There was neither time nor chance for
more; the door Of the carriage closed with a
sharp cank, and it moved of at a rapid pace
The old man had his hand on it, and the
sudden recoil nearly threw him off his feet /;
his cane rolled into the gutter and sudden
gust Of wind caused his hat to follow.
As he stood motionless in mingled per-
plexity and anger, hearty, cheerful voice
cried OUT
" Halo rather rough treatment this
My eloquent cousin had better practice what
he breaches | suppose he thinks that would
be too much like swallowing his own lhysic
--ha ha, hal Excuse my little joke Here's
/ your hat and cane. Just take my arm, until
| can get you where you can stand firm on
your pins again There now you're all
right Lame eh ?" added the new conner, as
he noticed the old mans halting step. Dear,
dear, its too bad for an old man like you to
be begging il the streets on such a night as
this You should 90 home with me; ; but the
fact is, my house is not only full, but running
OVER
As the speaker said this, he commenced
rummaging his pockets evidently rather du-
bous as to the result of his investigations.
lie was stoutly built man, in the prime of
life, with a frank intelligent face, the very
personfcation of kindness and good humor.
"Ah thought | wasn't quite run ashore "
g. ---l-'--ea slleeiuly, as he flashed up a
half dollar. 4" II s an 1 nave, ne said,
thrusting it into the old mans hand "but
it will buy you a nights lodging. Nay, take
it. | am poor man, but not so badly of as
YOU. for | have roof to shelter me. thank
the Lord"
The old man smiled rather oddly as he
looked at the retreating form. aud then at
the half.dollar. and thrustinc it into his pock.
ct, hobbled away
In the meantime, Howard Winn had reach
ed home a stvlish mansion. in stylish part
Of the town. He began to feel the reaction
that attends strong excitement, and, as he
opened the hall door the wailing cry of a babe
Jared harshly on his nerves.
81 believe that child cries out of pure
spite" he muttered, as he assembled the stairs
and entered the room whore a pale little wo.
man was sitting holding baby
The wife raised her eyes to her husbands
face with a wearied look but received neth-
er smile nor pleasant greeting.
| hope that child is going to let us sleep
some tonight he said Grossly, as he proceed.
ed to draw off his boots.
No one would have supposed from the ssne
in which he spoke that "that child was any.
way related to him, or have recognized the
brilliant orator Of the evening in that peeyish
d.scontented face
"Your Uncle Lenard is here"
You don't say so. When did he come p
" Not long after you left. | told him
where you had gone, and he said he was too
tired to sit up for you"
" suppose he has come back to stay now
| really wish knew how much the old fell
low Is worth, but he Is as close-tongued as he
is close-fsted.'
How can you say that, Howard, when be
helped you SO about your education y
"What is that paltry sum in comparison
with the thousands he has or is supposed tc
have? And he was careful to tell me that
that was only a loan"
ferhaps he WIN want II returned now
ne spoke ABOUT haVing met win some MS
fortune ana may DC III ms business nc
isn't dressed at all IKE man IN alnuen' err
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