Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-11-01
Vol. 67.-3303. No. 2.

Edward Mydeton before the cxigencics Of
MS position as dramatic critic compel.
ca MN to put in an appearance at the new
burlosquc.
twas six o'clock, and the fire was burning
dlmly IN the small grato Of the room into
which Vincent Bourn penetrated in search Of
ms friend. Some papers and manuscript TO-
los were scattered about the table in the
middle Of the room, and over the sofa, where
Mydleton was lounging, with pipe in his
mouth.
"At work, old fellow" Vincent asked,
cheerily, coming in with glow Of fresh air
and animation about him, in the vain hope Of
the latter being contagious.
No. Mydleton said scarcely raising his
head, and holding hot hand out to his
friend
"Will you come and see Gibcrts now
piece with me, thcn2"
I'm hardly in a condition to enjoy bur.
esquc thank you Mydoton said. rousina
himself up, and looking straight forward with
hard, haggard eyes. 81 have done nothing
all day but smoke and drinks. and b.
Gilbcrts subtleties would be wasted on me-"
" Now look here, Ted" Vincent Bouru
said, graycly and kindly putting his hand on
the other ones shoulder to give force to his
words George and have been talking
about you"
"BIess her kind little hoart!" Mydleton
interrupted, with a sob in bis voice.
And I've notion She won't be too we'll
pleased withme if don't manage to cheer
you up tonight the other man went on.
without noticing the interruption. Come
and dine with me at the Arts, Ted, and then
we'll drop in for the burlcsquc."
Mydloton shook his head, and mu'tcrcl a
gloomy negative to the proposition.
What are you going to do?' Vincent
persisted.
Nothing
Now, look here, old fellow if you won't
talk to me, 90 and talk to George you'll be
the better for it,"
Tina worthless fellow, Vinny but I'm
not bad enough to 20 and insult your wife by
my presence when I'm screwcl-at least not
when | know that I'm screwed. Leave me to
myself old boy"
" Ted, will you let me help you2" The
offer was made almost stammerugly.
I'm pretty well beyond all help" Ted
said savagely; ." am at the end Of my re.
sources, and those fellows don't seem to wan,
any more ofmy lucubrations"
Try another paper Vincent said. hope.
fully. With your talent you'll have it all
your own way ia time"
Mydleton smiled bitterly.
My dear boy, the next effort make will
be to get few paltry shillngs for more Of
this ' lhe touched the empty brandy bottle as
he spoke) and very little more Of it will
do for me; have lost not only ambition and
hope, but self-respect also. I'm broken down
Ninny," he concluded, with another of thos,
sudden sobs that are so inexpressibly touching
when they are uttered in what the listener
feels must be awful mental agony.
BE a man, Ted be a man. Vincent
Bourn spoke with tears in his eyes, and fal
ter in his voice, but he was not the less mar
for the fact be man, Ted-shako off thi.
depression, it's snare Of the devil's shak,
1t off and don't shun women like my wife.
must 60 to the theatre, for I'm pledged to hay,
a column on the burlesque tomorrow but
you 60 to her now, aud let her help you, viii
you ?"
"lll try to- Ted promised and his frienc
left him. But Mrs Bourn saw nothing o
him that night.
" If he reused himself even now. he coul,
bowl the majority Of his rivals ont the field
Vincent said to his wife about fortnight af
ter this; but he's letting himself drift dow
the stream at a fatal pace; he began move
some time ago, and it opened brilliantly bu
he won't touch it; he's no motive he says, n
incentive. | wish you could get hold of hin
Georgie, he's very fond Of you, and he'll q
to the bad at a gallop if some one won't sto
; him."
Mrs Bourn made no answer Immediately
but after a thoughtful pause she said
Vinny dear, it's dull for me sometime
when you're away all day. isn't it2"
Poor little woman" he said, caressin
her, "yes, | am afraid it is"
Nou have heard me speak of my cousi
Helen Steele 2'
Yes, She's pretty cousin, isn't she ?"
Pretty she's the loyeliest girl ever sa,
in my life, Vincent, she said enthusiastical
/" | should like you to see her; let me ask he
to come and stay with US
With all my heart he answered, and 5
: the matter was settled.
g hope I'm doing right" Georgia said t
herself in fiuttor Of nervous excitement whe
the visitor arrived. It's rather case {
playing with fire I'm afraid, she added, DIT
biously, as she went forward TO meet he
guest and the glorious beauty of the gi
burst upon her airesh.
The young lady had travelled up from he
country home in black velveteen suit, and
black velvet turban hat, under which her vi,
let eyes and golden hair cleaned wondrousl,
She was a splendid beauty, but she was somC
Q thing more--a charming, wise, witty woman
4 and George trembled to think of how man
men must already adore this "aid" whol
she had summoned to develop little sohen
) Of her own.
= We don't lead at all the sort Of life thi
' we used to think was London life when "
. were girls together, Nell" Mrs. Bourn e,
planned to her cousin that night. " Vincer
b writes all day, and we 20 to the theatre yer
- often, and some Of his men friends dine wit
G US constantly that's about all the society "
$ go into. lhope you'll not find it dull"
ihhnltei1 prefer men lrlenus 10 W0me
g friends" Helen laughed A" tell me abou
e them George. Fancy your being literar
; mans wife its too funny tell me abor
some of your blooming celebrities"
And then there's the best and cleyere
of them all, Edward Mydleton" Georg
wound up with, after long dissertation o
l the merits, looks, personal appearance, an
7 works, Of many members of the fraternity /
! which her husband belonged
Edward Mydleton | don't know hi
, name in print" Helen said, yawniug.
; " No. because he's been writing for th
press only hitherto" George explained ca
} gerly ! but he has it in him to make sue
a mark, Vinuy says, if only he worked"
"Oh !"
" Now don't be beautifully calm, and wise
and indifferent about him, Nell" Georgi
pleaded.
"Well, | will be enthusiastic when he ha
made his mark, but | can't be before that
can | ?"
" Yes, you can, when you have seen him
he's much handsomer than the majority o
literary men. As a rule, they run smal