Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-12-25
Tom Fosters Wife.


stay in Europe, and was sauntering down
fremont street in the golden September
morning, when | saw my old friend, Tom
Foster, get out Of horse car few steps in
advance of me. knew him in moment
though we had hardly met since we were
at Exeter Academy together, ten years be.
lore-room-mate and blilhc companions
until we parted--I to 90 to Harvard and
he to enter his fathers store, the we'll
known house of Foster & Co, Pearl street.
He was a merry, hearty, practical fellow,
cear-skinned and robust as an Englshman,
self.reliant and enterprisng as New Hamp.
shire birth aud Boston training could make
him. always liked him but he plunged
into business and into study, and so, with
out meaning it, we had almost lost sight of
each other. He was an only child, and his
parents spent their summer at their home
stead in Greenland, near Portsmouth, and
their winters in Boston.
As said, knew him in moment. He
had grown tall and stout, but the BOY was
still in his face, and with flush of early
feeling | sprang towards him and caught
him by the arm.
Tom, how are you 2"
He looked puzzled for a moment, and
then, bursting into n laugh, he seized my
hand in bis strong grasp, and exclaimed
Why, John Ralston is this you ?
Where did you come from I'm glad to
see you. my boy. Why, haven't set eyes
on you since we made that trip to NaLant,
in your Freshman year. The truth is,
father was so poorly for long time that !
had everything to see to, and felt as If the
world was on my shoulders l did hear,
though, about your college honors and your
going to Germany, and I've often thought
Of you lately, and wished to see you. Why,
Jack, in spite of my weight and your beard
and broad shoulders, can't realize that
ten years are gone since we were at Exeter
together. We must talk over old times and
new. When did you get back and what
are your plans ?"
Il came yesterday, and shall remain
in the city, on account Of business mat
ter, until Tuesday. Then | am going
home"
Well, now, this is Saturday, and you
can do nothing after 3 o'clock. Come and
spend Sunday with me in the country. |
want you to see my wife,
Your wife Are you married, Tom2"
Married nearly year" said he, with
a smile.
You do Mt look very solemn over it,"
Solemn It's the joliest thing | ever
did in my life. Meet me at the Eastern
Depot at four o'clock, aud I'll tell you all
about il on the way down.
We parted ut Winter street corner-he
to 20 to his store and to the Parker
House.
4" How handsome Boston has grown"
said |, glancing at the fine buildings and
the Common, beautiful in the Sci tember
sun.
" We think it nice town" he replied,
speaking with the moderate words and the
perfect assurance of the Bostonian, TO whom
that city is the sum Of excellence and de-
light. Remember, four o'clock" And
he disappeared in the crowd.
tom married :" said to myself, as |
walked along. al dare say il is to his
fathers pretty ward, Clara Maitland, whom
| saw when | spent the day there, eleven
years ago. remember what long curs
she had, and how fond she seemed of him.
Yes, dare say it's to Clara. | hope,
though, she hasn't grown up one Of those
delicate young ladies, good for nothing but
to display the latest fashions, and waltz
little and torture the piano. Better some
rosy, sturdy German Gretchen than a poor
doll like them. 1t would be a shame for
poor Tom, with his splendid physique aud
vigorous brain, to be tied for life TO such
woman ?" And then, turning down School
Street, my thoughts wandered of to blue
eyed girl had loved for many year--a
girl who was not satisfied with the tri.
umphs CT the croquet.ground, but who
could send an arrow straight home TO the
mark aud climb the hills with me, her
step light and as free as the deer ia the
glade below and hold a steady oar in the
boat on the river and swim ashore, if need
be and then, when walk or row was over,
who could sit down TO lunch Of cold meat
and bread and butter with an appetite keen
as young Indians after days hunt
yes, and who knew how TO be efficient in
the kitchen, and the rarest ornament Of
the parlor. How impatient | was to see
her, the bewitching maiden whom prince
might have been proud to marry. And
again | said to myself, as went up the
Parker House steps, al do hope Tom
hasn't made fool Of himselfw
-Four o'clock found me at the station, and
a moment later in walked Tom, carrying
basket filled with Jersey peaches. They
don't grow in Greenland" said be, tucking
paper down over the fruit. "Come this
way" | followed him, aud we had Just
seated ourselves comfortably in the car
when the train moved of.
"Now for the story, Tom" said |, as we
crossed the bridge and caught the cool
breeze from the sea. But I'll guess be-
forehand the girl you married. 1t was
Clara Maitland"
A shadow passed over Toms face. " Clara
has been dead four years." said he. "She
inherited consumption from her mother.
We all did everything for her--took her to
Minnesota and Florida; but 1t was of no
use. She didn't live to SEQ her eighteenth
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