Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-07-30

gentleman has grown quite deaf OF late |
years,-an in6rmity which was once a
source of untold misery to his friends, to
whom he was constantly appealing for their
opinions, which they were obliged to shout
in his ear. But now, happily the world
has about ceased responding to him, and
he has almost ceased to expect responses
from the world. He just catches your eye,
and, when he says, " Don't you think SO,
s:r?' or, " What is your opinion, sir ?" an
approving nod does your business.
The hackmau paid, my dear uncle &C.
companled me to the house, unfolding the
catalogue of his woes by the way. For he
is one of those worthy, unoffendng persons,
whom an ungrateful world jostles and tram
piles upon,-whom unmerclful disaster fol-
lows fast and follows faster. In his young
er days, he was settled over don't know
how many different parishes but secret
enmity pursued him everywhere, poisoning
the parochial mind against him, and driv-
ing him relentlessly from place to place.
Then he relapsed into agencies, and went
through a long list of them, each termina-
ting in fat failure, to his ever-recurring
surprise,-the simple old soul never sus-
pecting, to this day, who his one great,
tireless, terrible enemy is!
[ got him into the library, and went to
talk over this unexpected visit with Dolly.
She bore up under it more cheerfully than
could have been expected d,-suppres
sigh,-and said she would 90 down and
meet him. She received him with a hospi.
table smile | verify believe that more of
the worlds hypocrisy proceeds from too
much good-nature than from too little) and
listened patiently to his explanations.
You will observe that have brought
my bag" says he I" for [ knew you wouldn't
let me off for day or two,--though |
must positively leave in week,-in two
weeks, at the latest. have brought my
volume, too, for am contemplating new
edition" (he isalways contemplating new
edition, making that pretext for Juggling
the book about with him), " and [ wish to
enjoy the advantages of your and Fred's
criticism il anticipate some good, COM
Portable, old-time talks over the old book,
Frederick ~
We had invited some village friends to
come in and eat strawberries and cream
with US that afternoon and the question
arose, what should be done with the old
gentleman ? Harry, who is lad of a rather
| lively fancy, coming in while we were TAX
ing advantage Of his uncle's deafness to
discuss this subject in his presence, pro-
posed pleasant expedlent. "Trot him
out into the cornfed, introduce him to the
scarecrow, and let him talk to that" says
he, grinning up into the visitors face, who
grinned down at him, no doubt thinking
what wonderfully charming boy he was !!
If he were as blind as he is deaf. he might
have been disposed OF very comfortably in
some such ingenious way the scarecrow,
or any other lay figure, might have served
to engage him in one of his immortal mon
ologues. As it was, the suggestion bore
fruit later as you will see.
While we were consultiEg-keeping up
our scattering fire of small-arns under the
old takers heavy guns-our parish min
ister called, old Doctor Wortleby, for
whom we have a great liking and respect.
OF course we had to introduce him to
Uncle Popworth,- h,--for they met face to
face; and of course Uncle Popwoorth fas-
tened at once upon the brother clergyman.
Being my guest, Wortleby could do no
less than listen to Popworth, who is my
uncle lie listened with interest and sym
pathv for the first half-hour; and then con-
tinued listening for another haif-hour, after
his interest and sympathy were exhausted.
Then, attempting to 60, he got his hat, and
sat with it in his hand half an hour longer.
Then he stood half an hour on his poor old
: gouty feet, desperately edging toward the
door.
All, certainly says he, with weary
smile, repeatedly endeavoring to break the
spell that bound him. g shall be most
happy to hear the conclusion of your re-
. marks at some future time (even ninls
q ters can lie out Of politeness) ;; - but JUS
now"
"One word more, and am done," cries
my Uncle Popworth, for the fftieth time !;
: and Worteby, in despair, sat down again,
Then our friends arrived
Dolly and |, who had all the while been
5 benevvolently wishing Worteby would go,
t and trying to help him off, now selfish J
4 hoped he would remain and share our en-
tertainnent-and our Uncle Popworth.
/ ought to have gone two hours ago,
O he said, with a palntive smile, in reply to
a our invitation; but, really, am feeling
y the need Of cup of tea land no wonder .
Y " and | think | will stay"
e We cruelty wished that We might con
: tinue to engage my uncle In conversation
e but that would have been too much TO hope
u from the sublime endurance of martyr
: if ever there was one more patient than he
+ Seeing the Lintons and the Greggs arrive
he craftily awaited his opportunity, ant
= slipped off, to give them turn on th'
gridiron. First Linton was secured ; ane
n you should have seen him roll his mute
e appealing orbs, as he settled helplessly
down under the inhiction. Suddenly h
e made a dash. @ am ignorant of thes'
|. matters" said he but Gregg understand
n them Gregg will talk with you." Blu
If Gregg took refuge behind the ladies. The
t ladies, receiving hint from poor distressed
/ Dolly, scattered. But no artiGce availe'
s against the dreadful man. Piazza, par
e lor, garden,-he ranged everywhere, ant
d was sure to seize victim.
At last tea was ready, and we all wen
Is in. The Lintons and Greggs are peopl
e of the world, who would hardly have care'
lie to wait for blessing on such lovely heap
d of strawberries and mugs of cream as the
h saw before them; but, there being tw
y clergymen at the table, the ceremony wa
" evidently expected. We were placidl
" seated there was hush, agreeably file
tie with the fragrance of the delicious fruit
/? even my uncle Popworth, from long habi
70 turned off his talk at that suggestive nt
r. ment when 1 did what l thought shrew
y, thing. l knew too we'll my relatives long