Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-08-12
aNistellanu.
HIt Might Have Been.S

was horribly lonesome. What could
7 do with myself? 1t is only about Christ |
mas time that the responsibility of my in
JivIualitv hangs heavily upon me; my
business engrosses me for the most part;
for had been more successful in money
matters than in any other interests in life.
Rut now the holidays were here. Every
tbino in my neat chambers was orderly
and comfortable, and | had re;,l satisfac-
tion in the feeling that they belonged to
me But how lonesome they are! A fell
low lust passed my windows with cover
rI basket on one arm. and on the other
happy-looking woman chatterlng gally as
She walked. Well, | might have had a
wife. if it had not been for Charleys peril
dv-ves, and Emma's, too, for L suppose
she was as much to blame as he was.
I wonder if either Of them were to
bl,me, Love goes where it is sent, they
saw. and really suppose they could not
help loving each other. Poor Emma!
Proul, splendid woman; l should like 10
know whit her fate has been. 1t seems
strange that have never heard one word
from them since that Christmas eve on
which they eloped. She was to have mar
ried me before another Christmas; but
Charley wis Younger and han1somer than
I and there were such brilliant indications
of GENIUS about him. Strange that they
have not been realized; and surely they
have not, or should have heard. o, If l
could only see them again! | had forgiven
them both before the expiration of the first
wear, in my anxiety about them; Tor now
could | forget the charge OF my dying
mother: Take him, Paul, she said; " De
GOOD. and tender, and true to him. all the
dav, of your life. No matter win "hat
ingratitude he may repay your klndhe's-
forpive him not only seven times, but
seventy times seven. Be to him more than
\ brother, nv trusted child; fill my vacant
nIace for him Say to yourself-lt Will be
true-there is no crime on earth that would
c,usn nv mother to cast one OF her chill
dren ont The more abandoned, the more
yvretcbed thev become, the more my alice
tion shall comfort and solace them; until
at last. with patience that never wearles
and zeal that never flags, and love
whose strong wings bear all burdens up
ward, / will land them within the portals
of that eternal home where sin and sorrow
can come no more forever.
And now four years had slipped down
the thread of time, each adding to my anX-
ietv. until felt that | would gladly give
all nv Accumulated wealth Tor the slght
of their dear faces once more
tbouohts. | said; | will go out and seek
some adventure, praying my g0od splrlC
tn lead me where | can make Christmas
for somebody, though l may not have one
for myself. | put on my wraps and start
Ell The streets were thrOnged; how bril-
Iiantlv the LIGHTS shOne, and what an array
of Christmas cheer they illumined! And
then to see the toys-O, if l only had Il
child to make happy with gift! Why,
here is a whole bevy of ragged little ur-
chins. shivering around pastry-cook 5
window. Now, good spirits, whose duty
it's to inspire Us to generosity, shall COM
NIT no act of disintereSted benevolence to-
night: but | will make these youngsters
happy if YOU will grant me some reason,
able recompense. So | called them IN, and
bought rs they directed; they were SO en-
crossed and so joyful they forgot 10 tlahE
me. and departed with arms tuli OF good
thinos for their different homes. But when
thew were gone. the old lonely feeling re-
turned to me, and | thought uncom1orta-
bIv of nv bachelor Christmas again.
I passed the next day somehow L gave
a GOOD deal to the friendless little ones or
the street-God's children-still holding
firmly bv nv compact with my sprll
friends. and asking frankly for reimburse
ment. Why not? Have not we the promise
that. if we cast our bread upon the water
after many d;lvs it will return to u.s.
On Christmas morning, rs | passed Oh
of nv door. | found child sitting quietly
an the steps. eating Il bunch of raislns
lie looked so hearty and so comfortable
thou0h poorly clad that ut first thought
he must belong to one OF my nelShoors
But no; l had looked at these SO longingiN
and so tenderly, l knew them as well us |
IL. hit ftF1I,
they had been my own. / thought "oul'
speak to him. O.,
How d'u do young MANI
.Dood mornv.'' he said slowly, i'll 81 ricl
baby contraltO. N
did not know what to say next. NJ
matter-he did. He took a wet r;tlsn
from ont his rosy mouth and handed 1t t.
me. o.,
Amt 90 hungry, poor man." he said.
7 declined his hospitality, but his lip
duivered, and the tears came into ms eyes
20 yes" | sud quickly, seeing what all
ed him: -. would like 10 have some RAJ
sins y and stopped down beside him. Ill
face cleared instantly, and he commence
f.edino me-alternately putting one ral5l
in nv mouth and one in his. | thought
was doing him a favor; he knew he wa
doing me favor, and as the grapes dlsar
peared began to look uneasy
Amt 90 dot enough?" he SAID.
No. not half enough yet"
.Es 90 is dot enough, now; dey IL max
90 sick" and he acturlly put all the rest
rIoJ-sizeI handful-into his own mouth
well. it was not ftir, but | reserved m
orinion of his conduct, and asked him hi
name.
Dotty, he said.
Where is your mother?'
Don't know"
Where is your father:
Don't know"
Where do you live?"
Mes dom to live with CO.
with me?"
.Fs-mv nanny tell'd me So,
Your mammy told you SO? where
your mammy?'
" Hers don'd off"
Whats your mammy'S name?
He looked at me from head to foo
mentally guaging the extent OF my hloc..
and then answered scornfully: Manlhl
named nanny; don't 90 know dat!
And she said you were to 1--we VII
me?"
rs; her said if me would, ood dit N
lots of pretty sings"
| felt like the man who drew the ell
phant by lottery. - It's most deuced cool
] said.
., Is, it awfy tool" said the young ma
rising; cts do in de house"
In the house, and divested OF his wrap
he was as much at home as if he had live
there always The first thing he dld WI
to harness chair to the head of the louns
with an old pair of suspenders, and then
get on himself and commence drlvln
talking horse most uproariously
Get ape now, won't ooP Get ap
Whoa. Danuary. Do long dere, won't OF
Darn 90 fool
He was evidently all right; but wh