Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-03-30
Vol. 65.-3311. No. %.

splendid voice l just called this morning and
gave her an invitation to join"
Mr. fillmore
Well"
The naughty Merrill blood is up now in
moment.
If she sings in the choir don't"
WHAT in surprise.
Just what have said. She Is said not
to be a very proper person, and if she sits in
the choir on Sunday, leave it,"
| "Im sure ! don't know what to do" re-
| piled the young man. | invited her, and
/ it would be the height Of rudeness to with.
draw the imitation
Miss Merrill could not help him in this di-
lemma, and Mr. Elmore left the house in a
very uncomfortable state Of mind
The next Sabbath Miss Bryson took her
seat in the choir, according to imitation
| The church was crowded when she entered,
and as the choir seats were in front, she was
observed by the congregation. True to her
word Miriam Merrill arose and left the choir
| The sensation occasioned can be better i'm
agined than described at the act
| The young lady who sat aext to Miss Bry-
son turned her back TO her-and made no Of.
| fer of her note book when she rose to sing;
she seemed to be avoided as one with the
plague. Her face burned crimson and then
grew pale as death. What had she done
what could be the meaning of all this?
Mr. John fillmore had got himself into
fine pickle The young lady members Of the
choir notified him that they would sing no
more unless Miss Bryson was removed, and
this disaerocable task he was obliged to per-
form.
lie wrote her a note stating that circum-
stances unforeseen by him when he invited her
to become member of the choir compelled
him to withdraw the invitation. 1t was
very rude proceeding hut she would pardon
him.
Many girls would have rallied after the
shock, and defantly met the inhospitable
world but not so with Ellen Bryson. When
ever she went into society she was treated
with scorn and contempt; so at length she
remained at home and grieved herself sick
over IT, She was one Of those fragile BIOS
SONS that a rough wind or unkind frost will so
easily destroy
| Very few persons called at the white cot
tage but lynx-eyed neighbors noticed that
Squire Gregory was there with parcels and
bundles, and that was enough for them. For
| if they had not been so evil-disposed they
could have easily ascertained what these
bundles contained, which will be seen pres.
emily.
Perhaps their conscience smote them lit
| tie when Dr. Green told them that the young
lady at the cottage was i'll of brain fever,
caused by some kind Of worry or trouble, and
that no persons were lending assistance.
Several volunteered. Mrs. Bryson treated
them codly, politely but one night when
Mrs Grant, Merrill and others were engaged
in the little bed room to perform the last Of
fees for poor Ellen, the bereaved mother said,
bitterly
" Your people in this town have murdered
my child Tell me now before her corpse,
why did you do it?
There was no reply,
81 heard yesterday" continued the old
lady, e" that it was because Squire Gregory
was seen to call on her." Shall | tell what
caused his visits Had you ascertained ere
you spread broadcast the shameful report
that broke my child's heart and crazed her
brain, it would have been far better. We
were poor, that is, in moderate circum-
stances We rented this house, the owner
promising to take his pay in sewing we
neither of us were aware of anything being
rumored against Squire Gregory's character,
and must do him the justice to say that he
has treated us with more humanity than you
all. If this be the means of learning you a
lesson, my child will not have died in vain,
yet pray to God to forgive you-I am afraid
| never can"
Too late now, the tongue of slander has
triumphed What a lesson this narrative
should teach
They placed saow drops in her hand, and
looked with tears into that face--the mem
bers Of that choir and villagers who had
stunned her with contempt so shortly before.
Too late now Tears of repentance could
not bring her back again They had mur-
dcred this fair, sweet flower, where they
should have shielded it from this cruel world
If not for her own sake, for the sake of
deed father, who sleeps in his bloody grave at
Shiloh.
There are many such cases. When you
would speak evil Of any one, and condemn
harshly, remember this over true story; also
never forget, With whatsoever judgment ye
Judge, and whatsoever measure We mete, it
shall be measured to you again"