Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-01-24
The Leisure Hour.
THR VILLAGE .s.vG MI.

Riverdale. The old men reverently called
her the "village angel, the young men ad-
mired her by day and dreamed of her by
night; and even her companions of her
own sex felt for her pure regard, free
from the least taint of envy or jealousy.
Had any one asked If she was beautiful,
the reply would have been: "Im sure 1
don't know but she is &C good we all love
her-we can't help it," And If you, read
or, had seen her, no time could efface the
memory of her glossy brown hair, her
deep, tender eyes, Of a dark gray, and her
fair, round face with gentleness and pa
tence shining from each feature. You
might deny that she was really Pretty, but
you would have to admit that she possess
ed charms superior to those of personal
oveliness.
What little romance there had been In
Emily's quiet, happy life, she had made
herself while quietly working for another
object. Her parents being the wealthiest
people in town. and her own heart prompt
ing her TO take the most worthy advantage
OF this blessing, she often helped those in
need. and accomplished 1t in such quiet
way that she avoided the ostentation of
charity, and caused the recipients to feel
thankfulness unburdened by any sense of
humiliating obligation.
IT was one summer afternoon, when sit
| ting with her mother on the piazza of their
elegant cottage, that Emily saw a young
man staggering under the weight off heavy
barrow filled with vegetables. He was
bo
she saw that his face was very pale, and
bore only too plainly the marks OF care
| and sorrow. She watched him as he ad-
vahced, her face revealing the sudden SYM
| pathy which his appearance had inspired
| in her heart.
| Reaching the house directly opposite, the
| young man let his barrow rest on the
forward with his load, he essayed to enter
but the gate swung to, barring his progress.
Again he tried, and with the same result.
Wiping the perspiration from his brow, he
looked about for something with which to
hold the gate in position, and at that mo-
ment slight, girlsh figure swept by him,
and a sweet voice said "I will hold II
while you come in"
Surprised, and not little embarrassed,
he regarded her for moment in silence
then while gratitude shone from his dark
eyes, he replied:
"You are very kind, miss / thank
you"
And he wheeled his burden into the
yard, glancing almost reverently at his
gentle assistant.
my mother thinks you have not beer
long in our village" said Emily, shyly.
"No, only three days. I'm q stranger
you see, and don't get much work but
shall, by and by, think" and fain
smile passed over his features.
"Papa has lots Of work to be done h,
might give you some II he only knew
your name," continued the girl, sagacous
ly.
"Thank you. My name Is Thomas VII
son, snd-and I live on the fats" HI
spoke hesitatingly, and blushed as he men
toned the poorest locality In town. Pres
emily he looked up, but his companion wa
gone, and was now sitting on the piazz
again, as quietly az II she had not move,
at nll.
"That name drove her off," unused Thorn
as, as he went on with his load. swell,
don't wonder. II Is a low place. But sh
was kind there are mighty few girls woul'
do what she did"
That evening, while Emily and her ia
ther were eonversing-she trying to fn'
out il he knew anything of the Wilson
family, aud he wondering "what the darl
ing little witch was driving at'-the neigh
Dor across the way came in, and shortly re
ferred TO the incident OF the afternoon, AM
added:
at WAS good in you, Emily, very good
but they are rather low people-these vii
sons. They lived in Daymouth befor
they came here in fact, the old man die
there. Ho was a hard one, 1t Is said, an,
drank himself to death. don't know, bu
| shouldn't wonder IL the boy took afte
him, for he won't work steady. hire
him tho first day he came here, and he wa
off In the afternoon and the next mornin
he look ed pale, and his eyes we're red
really don't believe he is of much ac
count"
Emily, who was far from sharing tn
callers suspicious, was about to say ths
other things than drink caused palloi {
the features and redness OF the eyes, bu
thinking that time used in argument
generally thrown away she held her peace
and resolved TO ascertain the facts for heI
self.
Slipping quietly ont OF the room. she as
sumed her habit, and then ordered her pc
ny saddled. Az Il was nothing unusual fo