Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-02-19
Paul Hampton's Good Fortune.

Paul IIamptOn's Good Fortune.
BY Z. ANDERSON.
eOb, Paul! don't you wish we're rich !
like the family at Hill Lodge, and that
papa could drive to town every day in his
carriage, as Mr.. Rivers does and there's
Julian, too, only your age, rides horse
now-he might have given you his little
pony it wps very mean to sell it,
Sister, let us be thankful that our IA
,her is able to walk, and not crippled like
Mr.. Rivers; but do you believe that l. who
am taller than Julian, would ride that lit
lie pony2 a pretty figure l should cut
with my long legs almost touching the
ground !"
." Al, but sometimes cannot help wish
ing we were rich" and Dora Hampton
sighed, as she glanced down to her faded
calico dress.
Have courage aud patience, little sis;
| hope soon to get a place aud earn some
money then, when | grow to be a man,
you are to be my little housekeeper. But
bere comes Julian, riding at full gallop
down the hill, what brings him, wonder,
for we have not been very good friends of
late ?"
" Halo, there" cried Julian. Hold
my horse while come in for few min
utes" Again he repeated the summons in
louder tone
Who are you calling to, Master Riv-
ers2'
10 you, of course you don't keep
groom guess"
We do not, sir, neither am | one SO
when you condeseend to ride down into the
valley, attend to your horse yourself"
Dora watched Julian as be alighted aud
tied his horse to the garden gate. He was
handsomely dressed in velvet suit, with
riding gloves, aud dainty little, wellftting
boots but he looked pale and sickly, for
his appetite was pampered with rich, un.
wholesome food, and be was allowed to sit
up until all hours Of the night. Then
she glanced toward her brother. What q
contrast? With his dark, handsome eyes
and noble brow, and cheek Drowned by ex-
posure to the sun even those coarse, home-
made garments looked well upon his erect
figure.
Puff, puff :" exclaimed Julian, as he
entered " how smothering it is in this lit
tie room, with its low ceiling! Oh, Dora !
did not see you in that dark corner"
Look you, sir" cried Paul, indignant
ly, this is my fathers dwelling, aud as
such, is sacred to my eyes. Stay without
in future, aud do not come here to insult
US"
Excuse me, Paul, for l really didn't
intend to offeud you" and Julian held out
his hand. came to ask if you would
20 to town with me /; want new riding
whip, and no end of things"
Not in the dusty highway at your
horses heels; but if you walk there by the
meadow, aud through the little wood,
don't object for | have some errands 10
town for mother
agreed, then may put up my horse
somewhere ill We return2
Yes, in the old barn there is plenty
Of straw, and he will be quite safe there.
In assist you nos Julian, and any time
when you treat me as your equal, and drop
putting on airs"
"Ail right, Paul But what shall |
bring you from town, Dora?n and Julian
ratified a handful Of silver dollars in his
pocket.
Nothing, thank you" Dora Hampton
was not whit less proud than her brother.
The two boys followed the narrow foot
path through the meadow. though almost
b;1 Ian from thcfr ti.,ht hy tho Lon, ,yo ~;
grass, Paul sometimes stopping to gather a
few wild flowers, for the garden at Dale
Cottage was not rich in floral ornaments
They did not wait TO 60 round by the old
bridge which spanned the little stream hall
mile away, but, drawing off their shoes
and stockings waded through the water
sitting awhile 10 rest on the other side, and
planning fishing excursion for future
day. Beyond the stream lay the little
wood, and there Paul gathered the wild
honeysuckle and the delicate fern to add tc
his boquet, hiding it beneath the rushes al
the waters edge until their return.
The pleasant shady wood was passed, q
winding lane succeeded, from whence the
church spires and lofty buildings of The
town were visible. The two companions
soon reached the wide suburb of the prin
cipal street, traversed in all directions by
many others.
They visited one store. Paul made III,
household purchases for his mother, anC
various others on Julians account, who
soon disposed of all his money "AnC
now" he said, " have not red cent left
Precisely my case" said Paul, "witl
this difference, that started out without
any of my own. Halo What's this
Stop, stop, julie"
The boy lifted something from beneatl
his feet it was a pocket-book filed will
notes, some of high value.
" How lucky!" exclaimed Julian, " JUS
when our pockets are empty. Let's g
into the lane and there count our treasure.
Our treaMre,-you had passed by
and were not the finder, neither is it min'
to divide"
81 never heard such stupdness d,
you really intend to restore that pocket
book, if inquired for? No one saw 20,
pick it up"
"Yes, One did who sees all things bu
|. shall not count the money now; my ia
ther will do that when he comes home, anc
keep it until we hear Of the owner"
And that owner reward you with hii
thanks, or, perhaps, miserable five or tel
dollar note"
al shall rejoice to have earned that
much honestly"
The walk home was far less pleasant tC
the two boys Julian all the way covelinl
. share Of that newly found treasure, and
Paul grave and silent with the responsible
ity Of his charge They no longer hunt
ed the brown squirrel nor paused to watch
the fish leaping to the surface as the sun.
beams danced upon the water, nor plucked
the wild flowers in their path--eYeu the