Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-02-17
FALLS, VT. FRIDAY,

story, but would just like to tell you
this one, because think you dare not
apply your principles to it in every part.
Theories often fail when practically ap-
piled, you know.
This friend of mine, Henry Gilbert,
said Hu, "was like myself, poor. A
long time ago, when he was boy, the
son of poor widow, the lot on which
he lived joined at the back the lot on
which lived Mr.. Morton, at that time
thriving merchant, now the principal
capitalist in that part of the country
AS there was back gate between the
lots, my friend was the constant play
mate from earliest childhood of Jennie
Morton. He built her play-houses out
of old boards, he moulded clay bricks
for her use, and carved tiny toys out of
pine blocks for her amusement. AS he
grew larger, and as Jennie's father grew
richer, and came to live in greater style,
Henry grew more shy. But by all the
unspoken language of the eyes the two
never failed to make their unchaDging
regard to each other.
Henry went to college early. AT va
cation-time the two met But the grow
| ing difference in their social position
could not but be felt. Jennie's friends
were of different race from his own
Her parents never thought of inviting
him to their entertainments. And if
they had, a rusty coat and a lack of
money to spend on kid gloves would
have effectually kept him away. He
was proud. This apparent neglect
stung him. 1t is true that Jennie Nor
ton was all the more kind. But his quick
and foolish pride made him fancy that
he detected pity in her kindness. And
yet all this only made him determined to
place himself in positson in which he
could ask her hand as her equal. But
you do not understand, doctor, as do
how irresitable is this conviction of duty
in regard to the ministry. Under that
pressure my friend settled that he must
preach. And now there was before him
good ten years of poverty at least
| What should be do about it
In his extremity he took advice of
favorite theological professor. The pro-
fessor advised him not to seek the hand
of rich girl. She would not be suited
to the trials of minister life. But
finding Henry was firm in his opinion
that this sound general principal did
not in the least apply to this particular
case, the professor proceeded to touch
the tenderest chord in the young mans
heart He told him that it would be un-
generous, and in some sense dishonora-
BILE, for him to take woman delicate
ly brought up, into the poverty and trial
incident to minister's life. If you un-
derstood, sir, how morbid his sense of
honor is, you would not wonder at the
impression this suggestion made upon
him. To give up the ministry was in
his mind to be traitor to duty and to
God. To win her, if he could, was to
treat whose happiness was dearer to him
a thousand times than his own"
81 hope he did not give her up" said
the doctor.
eyes, he gave her up in adoub'e spirit
of medieval self-sacrifce. Looking to-
ward the ministry, be surrendered his
love as some of the old monks sacrificed
love. ambition and all other things to
conscience. Looking at her happiness,
he sacrificed his hopes in more than
knightly devotion of her welfare. The
knights sometimes gave their lives. He
gave more.
For three years he did not, trust him.
self to return to his home. But having
graduated and settled himself for nine
months over a church, there was no rea-
son why he shouldn': go to see his moth
er again. And once in the village, the
sight of the old school-house and the old
church revived thousand memories
that he had been endeavoring to Danish.
The garden walks, and especially the APP
pie trees, that are the most Interchangeable
of landmarks, revived the old passion
with undiminished power. He paced
his rooms at night. He looked out at
the new house of his rich neighbor. He
chafed under the restraint of his vow
not to think again of Jennie Norton
1t was the old story of the monk who
thinks the world subdued, but who finds
it all at once about to assume the mas
terry of him. do not know how the
struggle might have ended, but it was
all at once stopped from without.
There reached him rumor that Jen-
ME was already the betrothed wife of a
Colonel Pearson, who was her fathers
partner in business. And indeed Col
onel Pearson went in and out at Mr..
Morton. gate every evening, and the ia