Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-10-02
The Secret.
nr MISS Z. W. B,RNr-

progress. You are at liberty. Of course, 10
expcnd It as you please; but there is on ara
~ spending moeey. Il my BE dcDe yel6shls,
or disinterestedly. Il ms bc productive 81
happiness, or Of bitter memories and though
the sum be small how to spend it is worth
learning"
Tell us something about it, father said
Clarence, after they had both thanked him
cordially. Which way DO you think
best2"
81 would rather, my son, that you should
reflect upon the subject, and draw your own
conclusions. Watch for an opportunity to do
with it something which your heart approves.
The love Of money, you know, is called 4" the
root of evil y but money may be made the
source of good. Use it as you think best"
The boys looked very thoughtful. They
wished that he would only say what he thought
best. Then they appealed to their mother !;
hut she approved of their fsiher's decision, to
throw the responsibility on themselves, and
call their own judgment into exercise.
Some days aferward, as the two boys were
in their fathers library. he said to them "you
have not told me how you spent your gold
pieces"
Edward drew his from his pocket. There
it is father. | have not spent it yet"
And yours, Clarence
1t has all gone, father"
Indeed and what have you to show
for it r.
Nothing sir" Clarence beat bis head
modestly, but without shame aud there was
a maulincss in his tone, which convinced bis
father that all was right.
Nothing Well that may be ; but |
will venture to say my boy has not made an
Improbable investment"
'' 1 hope not, SIR
If he had done wrong with it, he would
not be my Clarence" said the mother tend.
erly.
Clarence looked at her with an expression
Of deep feeling, then went to her silently, put
his arms aFectionaiely about her neck, and
laid his head upon her shoulder. When he
raised it again, tear lay upon her robe.
i" Ny darling boy, embraced hin
tcnderly. The secret is yours. You have
right to it /; and | am sure, it is an honor.
able one"
Thank You, mother" he whispered in her
ear. Does father think so Is he sat s6ed?'
His mother repeated his question.
" To be sure, my son. | am satisfied
Come here aud he Threw bis arms affund
HIM, and laid his head upon his bosom
/" Father win trust, where be has never hu 4
cause to distrust.'
Clarence could only ouce more whisper Z,
thanks. 1t was tenderness not grief, Il (
caused his tears. He was type of ali thai
is noble aud generous in boyhood Had h,
been otherwise; had he expended his gift il
folly, or in vice, no reproaches that could hav,
been uttered, would have affected him, OF
called him to bitter repentance, like the con
fdence which was reposcd in him, and tn,
tenderness which had just been manifested. T'
prove himself worthy of that love aud con
fdence, would henceiorth be his highest earth
ly ambition. Oh that all parents woulC
but understand this and appealing to tn,
higher nature, the nobler attributes Of thei
children, call them into exercise
Edward wished from his heart, that h
brother would reveal to him what he hat
done, but, there was code Of honor in thai
household, as there should be in every home
and it WAS understood by all its members
Clarence had shown by his silence that he di
not wish to be questioned. Yet, no one for
moment doubted that he had made right us
of his money.
And now although Clarence supposes h.
secret to be safe from all but the eye of b.
Father in Heaven, we, who have followed hin
unseen, apu "s''u'u n'nn 'niousn an
relate II IN couupenVe 70 our reaucrs. "A
Inc day on Wn'cn nc rece,Veu inc eu'
was bright clear ana frosty IL was Dece'r
Der ana though the sun snono c'ouulessly
the blue heavens 1t hau DO power upon W
le'c'es "hlcn if.ngeu 'ne iron re,i."gs' VI ~
rom the ,rces 10 showers o' -in,'A"tT, G sP''e
tereu auu snNe'vu " 'ne n'nu' ino ~, -,
was heal'hlui ana eAhilafauhg 10 'he wen
elAd' out 10 tue poor, unptO,ec'eu onnu .
want IT. came 100 keehiy' Oiafelce hurrie'
on with his skates nung over MS snouuer.
JON skating party IL was tue Vaca,o
now: Eddle was 10 JOIN theni ia'er' III
hands were thrust in'o DIS cOa''pocAe's an
he pressed on against the wina' wnen nc iel
his arm se'zed IRON oeh,nd' q,
QuicE quick come quies' sara
little oareloo'ed' aha pnreheaded Doy' seem
lngly hall frantic wi,n eriei ana terror
believe mother Is uying' 10 come Iu'oA'
clarence ooeyea nmpu,slvely rnle 70
child eiinging 70 MS Goa, oraggsa 81, ~,
me nome, II susn = ooa'" ~ ov M eS''e, Y 81
no. iar uis'an, "u' ''e s'e"o ~nisa P.,oot
'en ''se'' on I'VE eulia"ee' %as am'c' ,uuve "L
"A ~Onan' sulrou".e- " 'n.oo y, 'ou. ",
uIeu Sv,e1",ps =" c.sh,G,i .e' "as yns y" ~ ~
miserable peu' u 'lgn.'u r oO"'d'''Ous' Ls -"
loau, was on "Sl ~n''o "ps' ner ,'eu,ue
nanus seoncu ~ nAeu u au 'n'.no'ap'o I"e '''sl
anu ner usPee' M was H,ose'ns' s'a nO'ptY. ueii W.,
w'n ~ ro' eOVsO', sa,u oiaieno r.
auu .'h'."os's h"'"a o"'s .n ~ % ho so v" P"ys
an nouse y" 'nG way "' ''" WIN 4
Pm The Doc,or % G,l,owed him Immediately an