Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-12-25

AOltdbl1 wal hitht hhh SAoNNe ANihONtNt AlAt
lesson began. Upon the raising of her
veil, as she seated herself discovered that
her beautiful brown eyes showed traces OF
recent tears and several times as the les
son progressed an unconsciously drawn
long sigh or sob proved very plainly that
she had lately passed through some strong
emotion, and that nature was kindly re-
storing the equilibrium.
In the course of the lesson IL at day, she
told me that she was married and the moth
or Of little boy, somewhat over year
old. She hinted at trouble in connection
with her marriage relations, and Of late
news that had caused the past night TO be
spent very unhappily. She seemed low
spirited, and deeply ashamed Of her ignor-
ance as regarded all knowledge OF sewing
or the construction OF the simplest gar
ment. encouraged her-told her that pa
tience and application only were necessary,
as she showed very good natural abilities
and would learn easily. But she replied
sadly that she was afraid that those were
virtues she had never cultivated, n or even
until lately deemed at all necessary. She
assured me that l could form no idea how
useless and helple she had been. She
bad never liked to sew, and her mother
had never wished her to do 50, telling her
that there were plenty of poor people who
would be glad 10 do such labor instead.
She hoped / would not laugh at some Of
her no doubt trifling and silly questions,
as she had never even made garment OF
any kind in her lile-not even little one
for her baby! laughed good-naturedly;
| could not help it 4; and told her that she
took too severe a view Of her deficiencies
that there were plenty Of other ladies
just like her; but she said, smiling little
lnournfully in return, that If ! knew how
bitterly she had lately begun to understand
what an uneducated woman in useful mat
ters she was, and how iuconvenient she
had found the position, l would not Won
der at her desire to do better.
This first lesson was succeeded by 9th
ors, for several DAYS following during
which learned that she had been married
between two and three years that she had
always before her marriage led gay and
luxurious existence, perhaps because she
had never known OF any other, her parents
being fashionable butterflies; that she had
passed through a great sorrow, been very
sick when her babe was born, and now
was just beginning TO appreciate some Of
the realities OF life. She confessed that it
was when recovering from a sick bed, and
among the new and strange feelings that
came with the birth of her babe, that she
had awakened to the truth, and listened to
the promptngs, always before ignored, of
her more practical nature. That 1t was
through the advice of kind friend who
had been with her through her sickness,
that she had purchased a sewing machine,
the friend believing that it would be good
beginning in her efforts TO do something
useful.
All this my new pupil did not tell me in
so many words, but it was the substance OF
what l gathered by degrees. l was very
much interested (as usua); and one day,
as she was leaving, casually remarked that
her husband was, no doubt, pleased at her
progress in mastering the mystery. Then
l heard what had almost before suspect
cd, as with tears filling her eyes she said
that she had no husband in one sense
that she had separated from him-that it
was her own fault-an act done by herself
in hot anger and rage, but how bitterly re-
pented. She indicated that there were 9th
ers 10 blame, but did not excuse herself;
and said that she had spent the night pre-
vious to the day on which she had taken
her FIRST lesson, in great grief from learn
ing that he was very soon TO sail for Eu-
rope, and the thought that they would the n
be utterly and forever separated had near
ly driven her to distraction.
felt very sorry-never moro so foe any
human being her repentance was 50 sim
cere and her sorrow so hopeless. A dim
suspicion had been creeping through my
mind during this last relation, that had
beard a story something akin TO this be-
fore; and as she was about leaving re-
minded her that although We were we'll ac-
quainted as teacher and pupil, l had never
yet heard her name. Apologizing for her
rcmissness, she handed me a card as she
LETT the room. i will not say that l wa:
very much surprised, for had half guess
ed the coincidence by inspiration, when
read on the card held in my hand, "Mrs
| Oracle Lee"
Yes, it was Harry Lees wife who haC
been my pupil! A great many strang'
feelings were at work within my breas
during the next ten minutes. l had no
seen Mr.. Lee for some time he lad avoid
ed the nstruclion-room-a course of con
duct for which had been thankful. ha'
heard nothing of his intention Of goirg l.
Europe, aud felt sure II must be a ney
project, very suddenly thought Of An
whyf Had my actions anything 10 d.
with in felt surely distressed before
had done thinking out the whole matter
and might have been even more so had
not possessed a resource always 50 dear
women and children--that of doing some
thing.
Now the rest of this is going to be yer
brief. On my bed, that night, the desire
''do somethiug," born Of the necessity too
practical shape, and ! saw my way 10 r'
venge on Harry Lee. Dickens Curistm'
stories were then in the height of their poi
ularity; had been fascinated by theu
and 10 their influence and that of the al
preaching holy season perhaps my pla
were chiefly due. 1 hope my imaginar
bushes may lie spared, when say that
= accomplish it took occasion to throw m!
self into Mr.. Lees way (of course BY al
parent accident), and that within wee
r l had won him back to the instruclio
! room and the renewal ofou friendly cha
though at such hours (late in the ate
noon) that there was no chance of his met
l ing his wife. That never labored har
e er with any pupil than with that will
5 but nervous little lady, 10 enable her ra
idly to become not only proficient at 4
rnacbina hut IN sss,n so Than that mr.