Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-12-25

TOUT DOO ElsDtft lne l0an NHO SOli lHe
principal means of subsistence of his miser-
s1i1hnlusuu Rent The proceeds on n
ad died few months ago,
4ec6u1ty almshouse.
His wretched children had found, perhaps
happier homes with strangers, and his hard
workingi but now old and invalid wife was
a pauper.
Frank Wright, the dashing young heir,
too, had met horrible death. A debauch
that heightened into weeks ended in that
terror of the northumberland pOtu. His
young wife watched with him through all its
horrors, and he, poor fellow, clinging to her
like n child, held her hand fast clasped in
his, and begged her not to leave him; watch
ed her with hungry love in his eyes, for
through all he had kept fresh rs in the days
when he had wooed her, his love for his
wife; and with her hand in his, at last he
quietly died. There was Il white-haired,
bowed old man, his father, and weeping,
black-robed, girlish widow, whowept for him
bitter tears, and bore him away to sleep the
long sleep beside his dead mother, and so the
Young life ended. Who can say that, but
honor and happiness might have beon his.
Another year, and only those who saw the
decay of manhood and watched its slow but
fearful progress, would recognize in figure
now n constant attendant ut the hotel bar, n
perpetual lounger on the hotel porch, the
noble and gifted young senator. Yet it was
true. Bloated and unshaven, with untidy
cIotIou and n elaany lietIass oir ha yvoo in
deed ptiable wreck of manhood.
And his home, his wife and children
Behind that privacy that makes home a
sanctuary few were permitted to enter. Mrs.
Fairton was seldom seen in the street. The
children, wise with that painful wisdom born
of sorrow, never in childish prattle satisfied
the curious villagers.
But one, friend who never betrays n
trust, knew all the misery Of that blighted
home-Senator Fairton's mother. Upon
each others strength, mother and wife lean
ed for support in this their day of trial.
There were privations and trials that the
| outside world never guessed mt, but through
| all, n patience and forbearanco that were al
most more than human.
James Fairton enter his home, often with
uneven and stumbling steps. but he found a
neat supper table spread, aud a gentle wife
awaiting him. And did not all this touch
his heart and conscience, do you ask? Aye. it
did, but morbid appetite was within, cray
| ing poison for its food.
One pleasant June afternoon, "Jm Fair
Ia,
one of the capacious chairs that always stood
invitngly on the hotel porch. The landlord
had come to regard him with GOODNESS, and
sometimes cutting words Of scorn. This day
he snt there sullon and apparently sleepy.
A faded flannel shirt, and n sailors untidy
pair of pants n worn pair Of boots and n
battered hat made him, indeed. a loathsome
and ptiable object to look upon. So, evil
IDENTIFY, thought the landlord, who walked up
and down past him, giving him nevera word,
but some looks which. if interpreted, meant
that his room would he preferred TO his
certainly not interesting company. just
then an elegant carriage dashed up, contain
ing four gentlemen. The landlord, now all
smiles and attention, had hearty greeting
/
failed to notice, the forlorn figure sitting
there half asleep. After entering the bar,
they were about seating themselves in the
pleasant porch, when the landlord, regardiul
Of their comfort, made pretence of needing
the chair upon which was seated ex-senator
Fairton.
"Ilere, Jim!" he said with no attempt at
politeness-why should he waste courtesy
upon this man who had under his roof made
himself the wretch he was-and he took hold
of the chair, you'd better go home and So
Der up. You're pretty looking sign to hang
out here all the time. We want this chair.
And he gave the apparently half-stupefied
figure a vigorous shake.
But Jim Farton was not asleep. As i
moved by an electric shock, he sprang to his
feet, and those who witnessed the seen,
drew back half fearfully. But he only drew
himself proudly up. Ills was kingly hight
and letting the blaze of insulted and indig
nant manhood fall witheringly upon tho sur
prised landlord, he said, slowly, and withou
hesitating n moment:
THANK you, Mr.. Fell, for the first goo,
advice ever heard you give any man,
intend to accept, and you shall never agail
need the chair have occupied so long"
The crowd held its breath, more ut tn
manner Of the man than the words he utter
cd, aud amid the stiffness that followed, an,
the glory of the June sunset, Mr.. Fairto