Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1870-11-30

decided on, n SIIdn idiHls W NC phlu
for in yearly instalments, was purchased,
together with horse, COW and farming
implements. Such was the history of
Maple Cottage. The future now seemed
bright and cloudless--not a shadow on
the hearth -stone. In the pure air and
healthful occupations of the country,
Miles Milford and his wife renewed their
youth. The little farm blossomed like
the rose. Father and son worked to-
gether manfully, side by side; and at
the close of the first season had acquired
practical knowledge enough, to warrant
a convection that the experiment would
prove completely successful.
The next year, though the annual pay
ment on the estate was made with some
difficulty, yet the produce of the land
paid handsome profit over the ex-
pense of cultivation, and young Milford
brought back a considerable amount of
money from market. The next year the
crops were large, and additional help
was necessary. Young Milford, now
twenty -one, was obliged to go to mar
ket four or five times week. He would
return faded and worn out-frequently
so fatigued that he would be obliged to
throw himself on the hay in the barn,
and sleep for four or five hours. His
father was afraid that the business was
too laborious for him, and often urged
the expediency of sending the hired
hand to market but his son readily con-
WINGED him that this would be ruin
GUS expedient--and the hired man could
not be expected to do them justice.
One morning, young Milford made his
appearance very much agitated, He had
taken in a valuable load of fruit the
night before, delivered it to q whole
sale customer, and set out on his return
before daybreak. In a lonely part of
the road, while doing on his wagon, he
had been set upon by man who had
suddenly made his appearance, and rob-
bed of all his money-nearly fifty dol
lars. Miles was very much excited at
this narrative, and proposed instantly to
offer reward-but his son begged that
he would say nothing about the circum-
stance, as he suspected the individual
and thought, with the aid of the police,
he could bring the guilt home to him
and secure him. Weeks passed on and
no discovery was made. But young
Miles proved unlucky in his sales. He
could not get near as much as his neigh
bors for better articles. They were 60
ing behind-hand with their cash One
evening he did not return at his usual
hour from market the day passed on,
and no Miles. Evening came-hours
passed-he did not return. Milford in
sisted ON his wife's going to bed, while
he sat up and watched for his son.
Long after midnight-the rumble of the
wagon wheels was heard. The father
lighted lantern and went out. The
son clambered down from his cart, and
staggered towards his father. He was
intoxicated. He essayed to speak-but
he could not find utterance. The Attic
ted father took him by the arm, and led
him up to his room, and, after assisting
him to bed, went down to take care of
his horse, and then retire, broken-heart-
ed, to pray and weep for the remainder
of the night.
The next morning he had an inter-
view with the misguided boy, who, full
of contrition and promises, then con-
fessed that he had been going downwards
for months-that he had drank, had
gambled, had lost large sums of money,
and now stood on the brink of ruin.
The wretched father conjured him to re-
trace his steps, implored him to be true
to himself by the love he bore his moth
er and himself, and the fair girl who had
confessed she loved him and the young
man, with tears streaming from his eyes,
knelt down and took solemn oath never
to bring sorrow to the breasts of those
he loved by his misconduct
Again, after days of anxiety, the sha-
dow passed from the hearthstone-again
the sunshine basked ON them but again
it darkened, as sun and shade succeed
each other in a fitful April day. The
young mans promises proved of little
worth. In the language of Scripture,
he was "joined to his idols" Habitu-
al intoxication, habitual falsehood, and
habitual dishonesty wore out at last the
forebearance of his father When his
heart was breaking, he pronounced SEN
tence against the sinner he must go
forth and seek another home, and leave
father and mother to struggle alone
against their misery. And the wanderer
went forth.
Thenceforth, at each Thanksgiving
anniversary, plate was laid, chair set
for him at Maple Cottage. Four years
had passed since his departure-since he
had been heard from-and still the Gus.
tom was kept up; still industry and
neatness held sway within the cottage
though hope was growing faint, and il
seemed almost certain that the Milfords
must relinquish it, and the farm rever
to its former owner.
Now we see why Rose Darling's eyeI
, filled with tears when they rested on thu
vacant chair why Miles Milford's hail
! was white as driven snow, though he wa
not yet fifty; and why those silvel
threads were woven in the tresses of hi
wife.
Miles had just craved blessing on thu
feast before him, when the door opened
, A tall, sunburnt man entered, with hes
, itation. He was clad in long, ragged
overcoat, soiled and patched yet TIL,
, color in his face was healthy, and tn
light of his eye pure and unclouded
Two women suppressed q scream at hi
appearance, but the master of the hous
stood up, and said, with quivering lip
"Miles Milford, answer me truly
Are you worthy to claim the welcome o
= a son, and to take your place at you
: fathers table ?" 49,.
: Bursting into tears, young Miles clasp
/ ed his father to his breast, and the
: rushed into his mothers arms and sob
Y bed like child upon her bosom. Ros
Darling, also, gave him warm welcome
j. "You have given me the prodigal'
: welcome, father" he said, with dee
: emotion, laying his hand on the back O
4 the vacant chair, "but 1 am hardl