Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-08-21
1T NIGHT HAVE BEEN.

was horribly lonesome. What could
do with myself 1t is only about Christ
mas time that the responsibility of my in
diyiduality hangs heavily upon me my
business engrosses me for the most part
for have been more successful in money
matters than in any other interest in life.
But now the holidays were here. Every
thing in my neat chambers was orderly
and comfortable; and had real satisfac-
ton in the feeling that they belonged to
me. But how lonesome they were. A
fellow Just passed my window with a COW
cred basket on one arm, and on the other a
happy looking woman chatterng gaily as
she walked. Well, might have had
wife, if it had not been for Charles peril
dy-yes, and Emma's too, for l suppose
she was as much to blame as he.
| wonder if either of them was TO blame.
Love goes where it is sent, they say, and
really suppose they couldn't help loving
each other. Poor Emma! Proud, splen-
did woman l should like TO know what
her fate has been. 1t seems strange that
have never heard one word from them
since that Christmas eve on which they
'l'ltNs touo was ~ nave UldTTl6u Dc
fore another Christmas, but Charlie was
younger and handsomer than /, 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 could only
sec them again. had forgiven them both
before the expiration of the first year, in
my anxiety about them for how could
forget the charge Of my dying mother =?
Take him, Paul." she said, "be good, and
tender, and true TO him all the days OF
your life. No matter with what ingrati-
Jude he may repay your kindness-forgve
him not only seven times But seventy
times seven. BE to him more than broth
err, my lrosted child; ill my vacant place
for him. Say to yourself-it will be true
there IS no crime on earth that would cause
my mother to cast one of her children out.
The more abandoned, the more wretchod
they become, the more my affection shall
solace them until, at last, with patience
that never wearies, and a zeal that never
flags, and a love whose strong wings bear
all burdens upward, I 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-
iety, until feel that would gladly give
all my accumulated wealth for the sight Of
their dear faces once more
/ will get away from these torturina
thoughts, / said l will go out and seek
some adventure, praying my good spirit to
lead me where / can make Christmas for
somebody, though l may not have one for
myself put on my wraps and started
The streets were thronged how brilliantly
the lights shone, and what an array Of
Christmas cheer they illumined. And
then TO SEQ the toys-O, If / had only g
child to make happy with a gif. Why
here is whole bevy of the ragged little
urchins shivering around pastry-cook's
window. Now, good spirits, whose duty
il is to inspire us to generosity, shall
commit no act of disinterested benevolence
tonight; but will make these youngsters
happy il you will grant me some reason
able recompense. So l called them in, and
bought as they directed. They were 50
engrossed and 80 joyful that they forgot Ia
thank me, and departed with arms full OF
good things for their different homes. But
when they were gone the old lonesome