The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-06-23

Finally, convinced that he must aban.
don bis profession: he studied the want
columns Of the newspapers, and spent two
entire days in trying in vain to get em.
rloyment. The last of these two days he
ate nothing, and previous short allowance
had enfeebled him. When night came
he staggered to his Office to fnd that af.
ter repeated warnings, the landlord had
taken possession and locked the door.
With his brain whrling and his limbs
tottering with weakness, Dr. Cotton wan
dered he scarcely knew where. Hun
ger and fatigue were doing their work.
He walked several blocks, when his eyes
fell upon carriage standing at the curb,
A coachman in livery sat upon the box,
and the door stood open. Just then
lady came out of an adjacent house, and
walked towards the vehicle. The fam.
ished man saw that she carried o pocket.
book in her hand, The demon of hunger
suggested robbery as his eyes fastened
upon the well filled treasure He darted
ton, and for a moment she looked fxedly
into his face. A strange expression passed
over her face, but it was scarcely fear
She hesitated moment, and then rested
the tips Of her fingers upon his arm.
81 have been waiting for you" she
said !; "got into the carriage, please"
Wondering at the meaning of her
words, and scarcely knowing or caring
what he did, DR.. Cotton did as he was
requested.
Drive home," said the lady to the
driver, and away they were borne up
fashionable avenue,
"She has mistaken me for somebody
else," he thought "and | must now un.
deceive her."
Then he said aloud you have doubt.
less made some mistake-at least | have
forgotten you if l had the honor OF an
acquaintance.
mo sir" was the reply, III have made
no mistake; but the explanation is too
long to be made here. Will you not
wait till reach my home ~
DR.. Cotton consented, wondering if the
whole adventure was not creation Of
his fevered brain.
They arrived, after short drive, at q
brown stone mansion of considerable size
and beauty. The carriage stopped, and
the lady led the way up stairs into the
hall. Here the weakened strength of the
Doctor gave away and he sank into a
chair half faintiug.
"Why, what is the matter ?" asked the
lady in great concern. Are you very
i'll ?"
"Only starving" was the bitter con-
cession 81 have eaten nothing for two
days"
The lady hastily summoned the ser.
wants, ard had him assisted to an easy
chair. Tempting viands and generous
wine were placed before him. of which he
partook with good effect, feeling stronger
and better Immediately after the meal.
Are you prepared for an explanation
Of my rather strange conduct ?" said she.
DR.. Cotton bowed.
"Do you remember me- she asked.
He looked into her face again, but
could not recall it,
"Do you remember" she continued,
"in Baxter street, years ago, Of dirty,
ragged little girl-of telling her that she
was too pretty to live there, and Of send.
ing her to the Girls Refuge ?"
After thinking moment, he said he
did remember that circumstance.
II am the same girl" and she sniled
merrily at Colton's look of amazement.
Il went to the Refuge, as you told me to
do, and was kindly received. proved
an apt scholar, and at tn, age Of seven
teen was able to get a situation as teacher
in one Of the public schools. | had thus
been employed but few months when a
wealthy retired merchant, named Arthur
Ralston, formed my acquaintance and
asked me to marry him. had no friends
and his honorable conduct won my es.
teen. married him, only to become a
widow within a year; widow with a
fortune. All this time ] have not forgot.
ten the author Of my success, and | have
always longed to reward him in some
way for the advice which proved so val
liable. And | fear" she added, "tba,
my assistance was badly needed"
"lndecd it was" aud Cotton related
his career.
DR.. Cotton slept soundly that nigh
under the roof of Rosa Ralston. The
next day he returned to his oflico-hi
protege, as she called herself, insisting
upon furnishing him with money to pay
his rent and redeem his pawned instru
ments and clothing. And her bounty
was so skillfully bestowed that it did no
r seem like charity, "only interest on th'
: old debt" as she expressed it.
They were married on Rosa's twentieth
birthday. and now Dr.. Cotton is happ,
in his possession of loving wife, for
tune and a large practice, and can con
!, template his days Of starvation and de
. spair.
. CLOTHING OF "SEvENTY.SIX. - Th
. people Of those times we're respectabl
clad, Their store of clothing was abund
0 ant, many Of the fabrics used were ele
' giant, and the fashion of their dress wa
frequently very stately, Pantaloon
C were not yet in vogue, but instead ther
were breeches Of leather, bnckskin
=. worsted, homespun, stockinet, black an
= brown broadcloth, plush, and velvet 70
winter and for summer of linen, cotton
g naukeen, white dimity, and drilling
!, Dress coats, surtouts, and great coat
n were mode of bearskin, buckskin, home
d spun, denim, wilton, broadcoth, velve
G and sagathy ia kind of serge) and cloak
of camlet, broadcloth, and kersey. Thei
vests were Of linen, twiled cotton, diaper
:. white dimity, serge, broadcloth, and We
vet their gloves Of leather and yarn
Is their bats of felt, castor, and velvet thel
is shirts Of linen, cotton, homespun, and tow
Y their stockings Of wooleu, cotton, an
i. II.