Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-05-07
miscellaneous.
How Should lie Have Donel

Such was the common testimony all through
the little town where he lived but in what
particular he was extraordinary no one
would ever pretend to saw No oncseomed
to know exactly where, when, or how this
opinion had originated, nor did any one seem
to care. II was enough that thoy believed
such to be the fact. If stranger were TO
ask an explanation, he would be answered
with a compassionate smile. dubious shake
Of the head and the ambiguous advice that
mo one had better attempt to tackle him ;
that was ALL"
The Coonel's early life was more or less
mystery which no one veptured to solve
vet there were rumors of strange advont.
ures aud daring exploi,s which he had
passed through lie had made a great deal
Of money; none knew by what means.
/ II was sufficient that he was supreme au.
thority in the place that his word was
law, aud was never disputed to his face.
He lived in a great house 10 the midst Of
an extensive, wel.kcpt estate, drove the
finest of horses, aud lived in a style current
| ly reported by those who knew nothing
about it, fabulous 10 its maeuidcence
Being wid1wer with only one child-a
sor--his household was small, although
icing fond Of company, his mansion was
frequently full to overaowing.
The Colonel was certainly very eccentric
and iu some things obstinate. lie would
do the oldest things at the oldest times.
and everv one said in a totally different
manuer from what any one else would do.
No one believed that he knew what genuine
kindness of heart was, aud no instance of
it was on record except his treatment of his
son, in whom he took Infinite pride. and
for whom the future was to be made qlo.
rious.
THIS -Ralph-was in every way cal.
cuatcd to fulf the desires aud expectations
of his father. He was Young man in his
twenty-fourth year having graduated from
college at twenty-one, and spent the inter.
yening years in extensive travelling. At
the time Of this narrative he had but re.
Gently arrived home The question now
was--what be should do for he seemed un.
lifted for any ordinary occupation But
, this was not that he was too proud, for he
was a most unpretending young man, but
ms iather was 100 proud oil nun. halph :
desire was to study law and he lost no OPP
t portunity to advance his plans; but the
Colonel persisted IN putting him OIL day by
oay' ana month by month, until he was ln'
eilned 10 give up 10 despair.
: IL was late 10 the spring that Colonel
r houghton suddenly decided to bill up his
house ana inaugurate as gay summer as
Q his many facilities would allow. lie first
thought OF 1t at the breakfast table, but
announced 1t to halph as quietly as II II
had been plan maturing for long time
$ and Immediately set himself to work tc
e write invitations
e Inc result OF this sudden move was that
e lew days later his sister, Mrs. Miner,
e bright, fashionable lady from the metropolis
: came on to play hostess, and was speedily )
a foliowed by merry company OF ladies' anc
seu'.',nou' w" o'' ""u youus, ""o engo'
uAly piVAo up Pe10v "uu qu'e'uess' Wn'''
sne c,! s'a'I .o"ns- peuPl' looAeu ou III ~oHuer
loe''us '"'' Nv o'noi nnan ou' ine So'oue
"oa'u u'e"ui m y, uolus anytu'pe T' Tue sof'
among al 'ne guests 'ne or'gnt, partic
u'ar s."' was narion 0ou'uy' ia'i an'
g,"oe'u'i "''n' iueuilau' mar, auu nriiiian