Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-08
II Happened So.

~ uc udbt Will w hioo Ohti uuu Oiu a.
am may yet snare a bird to put in it, if
| cannot catch one
And with carved work and gliding was
finished what had been begun, and the jews
mansion stood without a rival in the village.
Yes, Stephen Dinghy was aJew, aud had
a jews talent for money making, and also
a Jews talent for money keeping. The
best store in the village was his, the best
house in the village was his, and, aside from
the wealth contained in these, it was well
known that he owned much real estate and
had a great deal Of money. Mammas had
smiled opproyingly, and daughters had
sighed sentimentally at him for thirty years,
but he still remained bachelor Evidently
there would now be a change, for he GER
tainly could not intend to live alone in that
grand house, nor would be be liable to let it
stand untenantcd and board out Mrs
Grimshaw, the widow, reflected. Who
knows who it may be-" she said suggest
ivcly and bought her daughter Mehitable
a new dress, and herself new bonnet
But stephen Dinghy did not call Sally
Porter, staid maiden lady, reflected. It
is not impossible" said she suggestively, and
she arranged her false teeth and false hair
to perfection, and fixed over her silver grey
bombazine and wore it every evening But
Stephen Dinghy did not call.
In every family in town where there were
marriagoable daughters the most perfect or
der neatness and decorum prevailed for six
weeks, but Stephen Dinghy did not call.
Meanwhile people talked and wondered and
gossiped again.
In little brown farm house far out Of
the village dwet Mrs. Grandson and her
daughter Martha When Martha's father
died there had been heavy bills to pay, and
Mrs. Grandson had been obliged to mort
gage her little farm to Stephen Dinghy in
order to procure money. Stephen had
waited long, and Mrs Grandson had many
times wondered at his forbearance, for he
was called a hard.hearted, exacting man,
and frequently she had been unable to meet
her payments when due, though both herself
aud Martha sold and picked berries and took
in sewing to add to their little hoard OF
money. The explanation, unlocked for as
it was surprising came at last. One bright,
beautiful autumn day, while Mrs. Grand
ison had gone to pick blue berries in the
three acre lot, and Martha sat at home
sewing in the little sitting room, Stephen
Dingbys carriage stopped at the door,
and from it Stephen himself alighted.-
Martha quietly kept her seat until she
heard his knock at the door, then she arose
and opened it.
al am very sorry, sir, she said, in reply
to his inquiry for Mrs. Grandson, "but
mother Is away, aud VIII not return befUl {
noon"
alt is Just as well so" he answered
" for after all, Martha my business relates
entirely to yourself, and perhaps it is better
that | should speak my mind to you alone.
Martha bushed and trembled at the
oarnestness of his tone for she could not
guess what it foreboded. Perhaps Jacob
was in trouble, perhaps-but she had nc
time for further supposition, for her visitor
at her invitation, had already entered the
house, and was seated in the chair opposite
the one occupied by herself
"Sewing, eh, Martha ?" he questioned
" Do you like to sew for living2'
Oh no, sir, not at the price we get here
andI often think if it were not for leaving
mother alone, [ would 60 to some large
city and seek profitable employment until
our debts to you are paid"
"Ahem, ahem,' said Mr. Dinghy
Have you seen my new house, Martha p
=" No sir was the reply, but | have
heard Of its beauty; they say it is far the
finest house in town"
They say rightly then, for so it is and
| intend that she who is to be mistress OF
it shall be the finest lady in town"
Then you are to be married, Mr..
Dinghy"
II hope so, if she whom intend to ask
will marry me"
I've no doubt but that she will, sir. |
should suppose that the richest and by no
means the worst man in town might readily
find lady who would be willing to be the
mistress Of the elegant mansion"
How would you like the position, Mar
tina
Ne exclaimed Martha, bewildered
% surely, sir, you are jesting. You mean
housekeeper."
81 said mistress, aud mean wife
Martha he added impressively, Il came
here to-day to ask you to be my wife"
| am sorry for you then, for | cannot
accept your offer love somebody else. II
Love love somebody else What
does young girl like you know about love
Martha
al know said Martha, "that it is by
far the sweetest and best Of all blessings
vouchsafed us, and that whatever else our
earthly lives may gain, il they gain not
this, they are miserable"
"True, true, child said Stephen, softly
while shade passed over his features
Your experience has been better than
mine. Who taught you this old, old story,
Nartha2"
-" Jacob, your confidential clerk"
$50 Jacob has seen apd won before |
found time to win, Well, Martha, if it is
Jacob, cannot blame you, for | love Ja'
cob, too"
" Listen, child; years and years ago ]
knew what love meant, and later, what the
bitterness of love meant. Jacobs mother
taught me both. She was pledged to me
but married an old man for his money, anC
when, by fortunes changes, she died friend
less and destitute, | took Jacob and reared
him. He is as dear to me as if be was my
very own. But, Martha, if you won't
come as my wife, will you aud your mother
come and live in my house and be house
keepers ? should like to know the com
forts Of home before die"
And Martha, from that great pity which
is ever akin to love, answered.
If mother will 60, | will 60"
"And you and Jacob will not marry
while liye2"
"lf Jacob will wait, will wait"
" Bless you, child, and it won't be long
time you will have to wait"
So Mira Grandson and Martha went to
live in the grand house, and many proiessed
to look down on the daughter Of Stephen
Dngbys house.keeper who would have
looked up at Stephen Dingby's wife.