Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-04-26
Our Saturday Night,
SOMETHING TO STAND upoN.

This evening the stars shine with unusua
brightness, and the air seems purer, lighte
and more liie-life than ever before. Look
ing out from the room wherein we write
the picture is one of beauty. Before us i
one of the beautiful parks for which the city
is becoming famous We see trees, watei
pouring from the fountain to fall back into
the great granite.rimmed basin, the little
waves and ripples cleaning in the starlight
Through the tree-tops over the water we see
lights in windows
So we know there are houses, and people
and homes over there-across the park
over the rippled water, though we do MOI
know the names or occupation of those who
will be our neighbors whenever we cross over
to that side of the park We know some.
body lives over there, for lights have beer
int ; and the more occupants from time tC
time finding homes in the growing dwelling,
over there, the more lights, the more evidenc,
Of life and work or recreation on that side ot
the water as on this.
We see very cleary tonight, Across the
park-oyer the tops Of houses--through the
evening atmosphere to the stars-the lights
in the Eternal Mansion, which will be our
homo some day-when comes the hour to pass
from darkness to light-from labor to refresh
ment.
The room where we are writing is very
bright also. The figures in the carpet seem
alive, while from the vase Of fresh flowers be.
fore us come whispers of fragrance as if the
roses, the heliotrope, the mignonette and the
geranium leaves were all telling us that they
lived and were the same after being cut down,
as before, In humanity as in plants--there
are flowers and there are weeds. But this
difference I'VE may be weeds to-day, but
we can by selfculture, become flowers to-
morrow
Tonight we are very happy. Our heart
is at rest and over the inner springs Of life
there sweeps no breath of that blast, which
at times troubles and makes discordant the
life of the best of us. Why this peace2 We
will tell you.
Again have We won victory. Many the
contest-many the victory in life. Tonight
we add another to the list Not a victory
over others, but over ourseIf. 1t was this
wise
Once we had a frend-a man younger in
years than the writer hereof We loved him
well, thinking him true and deserving. One
day he turned against us to gain profit for
himself, and sought to stab us to the very life.
Not once alone, but five times repeated. Each
attempt thus to wound left a sore spot on the
soul and we said that whenever came the time
we would strike back and repay his debt with
interest abundant.
This afternoon came the hour for revenge.
overlook him and stayed his step
till we could strike. A friend came and whs-
pered to us that now was the time to strike.
One word would send him and his houseless
into the street-a word would let him remain
IN his home. We thought of the wrongs he
had done us-of the sweetness Of revenge
We started out to say the word and turn him
into the street--walked on-thought, and
thought again. We thought of our old friend.
'hip--of the wrongs he had done us-of the
Efforts to injure, and how glorious it was to
know an enemy was at our feet and that we
could now strike, as if to kill.
We had our revenge. Tonight we have
been out. The house where he lived yes
'oruuy Is tnere still. Othcr houses are
here, as yesterday. We approached the
place, clambered, with the aid of friendly
policeman to the first floor balcony to look in
through the window, where by table sat the
nan, his wife and two children. Innocent lit
lie ones-what harm had they ever done any
me Ia the mans hand was letter. 1t told
lin that his rent was paid for three months
onger, till times would be better-that
riend had paid it for him. Only that and
othing more.
He does not know who " his friend" was
but his home ones are happy. SO are
'e. 1t is better to conquer ones self than
o strike a man when he is down. The blow
iven him would have hurt others more. 1t |
! but little matter such little mat
srs make the sum Of life, its victories or
efeats.
So, tonight, we feel better happier
ironger. The few dollars which helped him
nd his trembling ones, might have been spent
! dissipation--or boarded for worse use. We
ave put temptation rather than fallen
ian under our feet and as the temptation
as great, so can we, standing thereon, feel
fted higher, to look over the trees aud the
ouse-tops, to see more and more Of the stars
hich shine ell about " this happy Saturday