Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-15
Was II Chance !


Abijah Hill, a wealthy lumber merchant in
the town of Hudson His mother was dead,
and maiden aunt kept house for his father.
His profession was that of lawyer but he
had Inherited his mothers property, so it
wasn't necessary for him to practice 10 OBJ
tain his daily bread. Right here all his
temptations commenced. For Satan finds
some mischief still for idle hands to do :" that
was true a good many years ago and it
hasn't lost its truth yet. The old-established
citizens of Hudson said he was " an idle, ex-
travagant young dog with good enough in
him somewhere" which good they were
afraid would die for the want of proper cul-
tivation. Nor was this all it was rumored
that he had been seen intoxicated the night
of Mrs. kidder's party. Most Of the young
men knew he " drank little, but of course
not to excess 4 man may take arsenic and
not die from its effects but man who does
not take it certainly will not die from its
effects.
have told YOU of his bad habits so to
be Just, must tell you some of his good ones.
lie was truthful, generous to fault, always
even-tempered, aud young man of mors
than ordinary abilities but unless some saw.
ing Power interyened, it was evident to
many that he would 20 to ruin.
Luella Campbell was the youngest dauglt
ter of five children. She was a lovely girl
Strictly speaking, she was not beautiful
Her large hazel eyes and almost perfect form
were her only claim to beauty, and yet she
was called The beauty of Il" 1t was
her pure soul. her loving and merry disposi
ton, which made her so, rather than beauty
of form or feature
Gus and Lu had been walking in the woods
He was saying
" So it is tomorrow night, you young Ia
dies make your attack upon our hearts, and
pocket books p
Yes she replied, laughing. "Be sure
you are well supplied with both; you will
need all you can muster"
What are You to do ?" he asked.
90 I'm to be 'postmistress - there will
be a large mail for you, Gus"
Well, is there anything | can do to make
myself useful, besides buying waste paper p
Yes, lots of things | shall call on you
for any and everything"
" shall be at your service all the even.
ing"
They chatted merrily the remainder Of the
walk home, where Gus left Lu, to write let
ters for the post-oilice-grave and gay, merry
and merciess. She had written number
when she thought of Gus, and how much h,
needed an earnest appeal from some one tc
reform. The idea occurred to her Why
not ~ | might write letter. and give il
to him from the post-ofiice tomorrow night.
She took her pen and wrote him long
letter, showing him lust where he stood
the danger he was in from intemperance
and also from doing nothing. She advised
him to leave IL for a time, as he could
more effectually break off from old asso
ciates, and begin life anew. She signed th,
letter A friend who speaks in your sainte,
mothers name" She sealed IL and wrot,
his name upon it, so she should make II,
mistake.
The evening of the fair was alhthat coul,
he desired. The town hall was Brilliant,
Illuminated for the occasion. All the towi
was there. for it was held for charitabl,
purpose. and that towns-people were no
lacking ia generosity. In had charge O
the post-oflice. and dispensed letters TO anr
ious applicants. at TWENTY-FIVE cents apiece
Her courage failed her. and she decided no
TO rive he one she had written 10 Gus
[ She was fearful he would be angry with he
/ for some plain truths she had stated. III
would feel humbled at tho low (apparently
estimate she put upon him; and, above all
she thought he would saw She has n,
right 10 set herself as INV mentor. am moth
ing to her"
/ This last consideration had settled her
She would not give il 10 him. She was /,
| take part ia a tableau, and so she aske,
| Clara Cogswell to tend the postofico durin,
her absence. Just as She was turning ava,
/ Cad said. There are no enyelopes. La
have you got any 2" La pat her hand il
her pocket and pushed aside the large on.
| the one she had written TO Gus. and handle,
/ Cad "A package and A number of letters. son,
sealed, Others unsealed. She had been CON
but a few minutes, when there came a Ia
at the window, and then Gus merry voice
How many bushels of letters for me, Lu {?
Cad's pretty face peered ont from benin,
/ the curtain. as she replied. One, MIR. In,pu
dence." lie handed her dollar, and tool
his letter. laughing. Poor Lu, She woul,
hardly have looked so serene in the tableau
/ if She had known her letter was in Gu
fills pocket. instead of her own. She ha,
handed il 10 cad with the rest. and Cad ha,
given il Immediately TO Gus. "Was
ehance or somethinp more ?" Gus intende