Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-03-26
That Nurse.

" But, john" said |, "how do yol
like her. Don't you think she is yer,
strange ~
Ion, yes, very strange" replied m,
husband, without looking up from his pa
per; very strange, indeed What is s,
strange, my dear Mary ?"
do think men are the most provoking
creatures in the world Here | had beer
talking to my husband one-half hour, anC
| don't believe he had heard one word
But it would never do to scold | haC
been married two years, and knew bette
than that. resolved TO strategze
john" | exclaimed, Aunt Rache
is coming to spend few weeks with u.s.
Amt you glad ?" Now, l knew that o
all Johns relatives, male or female, Aun
Rachel was his especial dislike. She haC
resolutely opposed our marriage then hi
going to housekeeping with that little chi
.of a doll, that knew no more about domes
tic affairs than a baby. until John had pro
nounced her a regular scold
" What !" exclaimed John, dropping hii
paper and meerschaum both on the carpet
Aunt Rachel coming then I'll leave! =
| ! When Greek meets Greek"
Oh, well" said |, interrupting him
she will not be here for the next 81,
months. But, John, do wish you woulC
put up your paper and that borrid pipe
and listen to me"
1t was quite a master-stroke OF domes
tic policy. He turned pale at the bare
mention ofaunt Rachel knew could man.
age him. Ilispipe, that meerschaum abom.
nation he had been so assiduously coloriug
before meals, in bed and out of bed, war
put aside, the paper laid down, and my
point was gained.
John, dear" said /, aitera pause, al
was talking about that nurse of Dicks"
Oh, presume" said john" caressing
that pipe you mean the late domestic
acquisition who acts as Dicks housekeep.
err
"Yes,' | said. II thought she was very
odd"
"Now my dear, what do you mean by
being very odd p said John, in his provok.
ingly cool manner. - That old parsonage, y
lcontinued he "as you insist upon calling
her, strikes me as being very respectable
unobirusive, young old lady, somewhat &C.
centric it may be, said eccentricity being
marked by great fondness for green spec
tacles, about two sizes too large, aud with
Grape eapsi otherwise l regard her as quit,
useful, if not ornamental"
"But she is very peculiar, John-hei
dress is not all that is peculiar about her
she has such strange, quiet ways, don't
believe | ever heard her speak above a
whisper and then the first time that she
came THE night Dick was SO very sick she
acted so strangely. | declare felt quite
nervous for, on returning to the room
after having left it but few moments, l
found her kneeling by the bedside, her face
resting on the pillow, and sobbing as if her
heart would break There is some mys.
terry about it, am sure"
Now, that is the way you women al.
ways talk about anything you don't under.
stand. Some mystery, indeed, said John.
" Like enough Dick reminds her of some
lost son of hers. She is just the delicate,
sensitive creature to be deeply affected by
such a thing" oA
1t may be So" replied, slowly, " but
think not. How very attractive she is
to Dick Poor Dick if he only had a
wife to care for him."
Why, Mary exclaimed my husband,
what are you talking abcutf"
Talking about? Why, about Dick s
not having u wife," said |.
DO you mean to say that you never
heard the history Of Dicks unfortunate
marriage? Well, if that amt strange |!
Why, Mary, where is all your curiosity :?
| thought you would have found that out
long ago. But DOW come to think of it,
| am not SO much surprised, for there were
only few Of us that knew anything Of the
affair Dick bound me to secresy, and Of
course he would never say anything about
it; it was like tearing open u wound with
him, poor fellow
"Now, John, do tell me all about it, and
you may smoke as much as you like -
confident that by this act of martyrdom |
would learn the history Of Dicks uufor-
tunate marriage. ....
Well, you sec,' said John, after filing
my eyes with smoke till the tears started,
'it happened while Dick was down South.
When living in Charleston he became ac-
quainted with Mr.. Ashburton, proud as
he could be, but no money, as he had failed
in business year previous. Ashburion
had beautiful daughter, who inherited all
her fathers pride and love Of display. Dick
saw Lillian Ashburton, and at once fell in
love with her, as many before him had
done, for she was the reigpiug belle of that
city. To make long story short, Dick
was accepted after courtship of about six
mouths, and was shortly afterwards mar
ried. Then, too late, did be discover his
mistake, poor fellow Lillian had given
him her hand only-had made herself
sacrifice to please her father, who by the
marriage had been able to resume bis busi-
ness aud move iu his former brilliant circle
Her affections had long since been given to
a young msn who resided 10 her city but
the union was opposed by her father, on
account Of his poverty, while Dicks wealth
readily secured him the prize. He, poor
fellow, all the while ignorant of the fact
luat anS lONtu uuotucIt was tue Ldpplcst
man in existence, and spared nothing that
could contribute to her happiness Well,
they had been married about six months,
when one day there was an accident of
some sort, and dying man was brought
into the house, Dick was away. As they
were taking the body into the house, Lii
ian recognized II as that of her lover
With loud cry Of agony, she threw her
self upon the blood.stained corpse, and gave
ycut to her feelings in the most heart rend.
ing cries. Dick had returned in the mean
time aud witnessed the affair. Then for the
frst time did he become aware Of the dread.
ful truth that his wife loved another. They
broke up their establishment shortly after.
ward and he came North; nor has he ever
seen her since, Poor Dick II was crush.
ing blow, for all his affections were center
ed 10 his Lillian. She was mere child 10
years; aud may God forgive her! She
knew not the noble heart that was wearing
itself out for her. There, that is the story
s.1fm1 -. rllo rN.ea