Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-04-10
For the VERMONT FARMER.
MiRIAM'S REWARD.


just at the outskirts of a pretty New
England village stands humble, weather.
worn cottage, but its well-kept yard, and
the luxurant but carefully trained vines,
which in summer almost completely hide
the blackened boards, proclaim to the passer.
by that although poverty may cast its
shadows over the lowly dwelling yet it is
the abode of industry and a degree of re.
fnemeut.
Here, years ago, Robert Stanley
brought his young BRIDE and here have they
seen their children grow up around them.
Here they erected a family altar which
through the changes Of score of years has
still remained sacred, and still the good man
daily bends the knee, and while imploring
the future guidance OF kind and watchfu
Father, he does not forget to praise Him for
His past mercy and goodness to himself and
his loved ones.
And yet he has known the trials of pow
erty he has seen the time when, under
Providence, his daily labor was the only
dependence Of his little flock, but his
unwavering faith has always been triumph
ant. He Is what we have some
time seen, would there were more,) an hon.
est laborer who provides for his family by
the legitimate fruits of his labors, and
though he can neither provide them with
Injuries, nor adorn them with elegant and
fashionable clothing, is content to be able to
supply their necessary wants, and thankful
that his little band is yet unbroken by death.
But our story has naught to do particu-
larry with Robert Stanley or his prudent,
careful wife who has inculcated by example
those lessons of industry and contentment
with which her husband has ever sought to
Undue the minds of his children.
This prelude is to give the reader some
idea Of the moral atmosphere in which Mir
lam Stanley was reared At seventeen she
was her mothers almost indispensable COM
panIon and assistant, naturally easy and
graceful in manner, her mind we'll cultivated
by study and stored with useful knowledge,
the result of dligeut improvement Of her
limited time at school. Though she knew
nothing Of the so-called accomplishments,
drawing, instrumental music and the like,
she sang many pretty ballad, aud her
clear, sweet voice might always have been
heard in the choir at the village church
while her expressive countenance gave evil
dence that she praised God with the spirit
and with the understanding also"
Added to these she possessed also attrac-
tions Of person. A slender, graceful figure,
a shapely hand and foot, wealth of sunny
hair, and regular, well-defined features, to
which her clear blue eyes added a charm
these combined to render Miriam Stanley a
beauty.
So thought relative Of her mother, a
resident Of distant city, and thinking it al.
80 a misfortune that
80 sweet flower should bloom unseen,
And waste Its sweetness on the desert air"
Or 10 other and more practical words, think.
ing that if opportunity were given so pretty
u girl might make a better " match than
could be expected among the humble villa
gers who comprised her circle of acquaiut.
ances, she invited Miriam to spend the sum,
mer with her at her country house. There
she entertained zach summer many friends
and surely among her visitors the coming
season might be found an eligible match for
her pretty niece.
With this object in view she carefully
worded her invitation, avoiding any allusou
to the idea uppermost in her mind, but ex.
patiating upon the pleasures Of the visit, and
the advantages of daily association with peo.
pie Of refinement and culture.
But Mrs SANKEY'S health was poor, and
she had no daughter but Miriam old enough tC
assist in the domestic labors, Moreover,
the state Of their finances would not admit
Of their employing a servant 80, though
Miriam ardently longed for a change in her
monotonous life and fully appreciated the
benefits of minging with the society she
should meet at her aunts, she never for
moment lost sight of duty, even when hel
mother tried to reason herself into the belle
that she could I" get along in some way"
She resolutely shut her eyes to the en-
chanting prospect held so temptingly befor,
her, and went bravely about her usual avo
cations with song on her lips though tn
letter TO her aunt in which she declined tn
kind invitation was written with tear-dmme
eyes
The mild atmosphere of May was giVin
place 10 the fierce heats Of midsummer, an'
city dwelers began TO leave the dust an'
heat and discomfort of the crowded street
for the gay watering-places, the mountains, o
the quiet country farm house. Among thOs
who sought the latter were Walter Olyd
and his sister Gertie, young girl in deli
cate health, for whom country air had bee
prescribed by her physician. Though poi
sessed Of ample means they sought quie
country house instead of joining pleasure
seeking crowd at some fashionable resor
believing that the health of the invalid woul
sooner be regained in such seclusion,
In their search they we're led accidentally