Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1870-07-22
General Literature.
"C.ssT THy' BRE.sD TROY THE
U.fTERS."
ny MARY l.. MEANI.

| "Fire Fire Firer' The shrill alarm
rang out on the evening air, and multitude
followed the rafting engines to the seen
of conflagration-a block of small build
ings in the mcst densely populated part O
the city. Despite the exertions of the fire
men, the flames continued to spread, unit
1t was evident that the entire block woul,
be destroyed. The occupants were per
| sons in moderate circumstances, who nov
stood watching the progress of the surg
ing flames with intense anxiety, yet pow
erless to avert what to some of the numbe
would be utter ruin.
"Take care of your pock book, Maury
one of our neighbors has just been reliev
| ed of the burden of his" said one of til,
| crowd addressing an elderly man, who
| with his wife clinging to his arm, was 81
| lently gazing at one of the burning houses
| He turned as the words reached his ear
and with faint smile of mournful signiii
canoe, replied,
"Thank you for the warning, friend
| Thomas, but that is matter on which
have no foars. The only thieves I fear arc
the flames, and against them I cannot
guard"
He turned away as he spoke, and his
troubled glance met that of his wife, over
whose pale checks tears were quickly fall
ing.
The attention of many spectators had
been drawn to them, and young man who
stood at some little distance, riveted his
eyes upon the sorrowing couple with an
expression of something more than mere
curiosity or compassion. He then spoke
to Mr.. Thomas.
81 believe you called that gentleman
Maury?"
"Yes. William Maury is his namc,"
was the reply.
"Did he not formerly keep trimming
store in Second street?"
"Yes, for many years but the march of
improvement crowded him and other
small dealers out, to make room for large
establishments, and some time ago he
came up here. His case is sad one. All
his means were invested in his goods and
he has not a dollar of insurance, and as his
house was next to the one in which the fire
broke out, he has saved nothing. In one
respect he is fortunate; he has no family,
only himself and wife; but they will be
entirely destitute
The young man bowed his thanks to his
informant and pushed his way through
the crowd till he stood beside the object of
his inquiries whom he accosted in tone of
respectful familiarity.
pardon the liberty l am about taking
sir, we are old friends, though l fear you
do not remember me. Will not Mrs. Mau-
rys health suffer by being exposed to the
night ARR
~ am afraid that it WILL" replied Mr.
Maury looking anxiously at his wife.
81 do not feel the cold" she said quietly
"No anxiety renders you insensible to
it but that does not lessen your danger
Indeed you should not remain longer"
said the stranger with an air of deep inter
est
"Alas where shall we go?" half sighed
the spirit saddoned ruan, gazing wistfully
on his once comfortable home.
"Allow me, sir to claim the privilege of
friendship, and conduct you to my house.
Remain here for moment and l will re-
turn"
With these words the young man hasten
ed away, but presently reappeared and
conducted the Maurys to cab, in which
all three took their places, and were soon
driven to a distant part of the city, where
the vehicle stopped before neat two-story
building. The young man who had mean
while given his name to his companions MS
taI he, to nj; ;,,bt Il
discharging the cab led the way through a
small store to a comfortably furnished sit
ting room, where requesting them to take
seats and make themselves at home, he
left them specializing on the cause of the
great interest he seemed to take in their af-
fairs.
They had little time however, to inter
change expressions of wonder, orc their
host reappeared with a pleasant looking
woman, whom he introduced as his wife,
and who greeted them with such frank,
earnest cordiality as tended to increase
their astonishment. The young man
laughed gaily as he saw their surprise.
"Well," he exclaimed, al see l have
raised your curiosity, so / must not longer
delay to crafty it. Let me ask you in the
first place Mr.. Maury, If you have any rec
objection OF poor boy, who some fifteen
years ago attracted your benevolent notice,
and whom you started in life with stock
of trimmings that to him seemed almost
inexhaustible -
Mr.. Maury slowly shook his head, while
he gazed upon his host with increased won
der.
"Nov resumed Richard. "How should
one amongst numberless kindred deeds re.
main in the memory of the generous ben
elactor? But it has remained. and ever
will remain impressed on my mind for
was the unfortunate child thus bountifully
assisted. | was alone in the world with nc
relations or acquaintances even, save Q
poor family of the name Of Conner who
had known my deceased mother, and fol
her sake gave an humble shelter to hel
destitute orphan. What with selling chips
running earands now and then, and so on,
l earned trihe occasionally which was
useful TO those with whom lived, for the,
had a large family, and could but i'll afford
the additional expense of supporting me.
After awhile / found that errand boy,
and girls who lived near us were Rettinl