Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-11-26

sHN'" VI Wulch MY Story cOm uencees Woto |
playing In their room. and instructing their
cousin in the mysteries Of the game.
Deacon Brown had an eye and ear open to |
watch the boys. and, rs they were engaged |
IN their play, swooped down upon them and
ii tones hoarse with rage forbid them 10
play more. and hurried Fred to his quarters
where he was ordered to stay, and as part
ing rebuke, told Tho never wished to set
eyes on him again."
The surprise Of the boys at this sudden in
terruption, and the storm that followed, can
not DO described.
They had uuintentionally incurred their
uncle's displeasure, and got Fred into dis
grace by doing what they had never been
taught was wrong, and their proud spirits
rebelled at the bondage and they determined
to leave at once. They hastily packed their
valises and then crept stealthily to Fred's
room to tell him Of their purpose and urged
him to return with them to their city home.
They found him sitting BY his table, where
he had sat so many hours before, but not rs
now, an alien to his father and home.
The parting words, II never wish to set
eyes on sou again stung and ranked in his
sensitive nature till no had resolved to leave
home, and his cousins request was acceded
to ut once and he made preparations to
depart.
A few lines to his mother and Lottie, left
on the table where they would be sure to
find them, and to pack r change Of clothes was
bis only preparation, and with noseless steps
the three boys left the house and hurried to
the depot where an early train whirled them
away towards their destination.
fred fingered a moment on top Of the hill
TO take look at his old home, rs Il nestled
in the bright moonlight, so peacefully mid
the trees and shrubs, then resoIutely kept on
his way with determination to never enter
his fathers presence again.
| He felt he had been harshly and unjustly
| treated for what he had no idea was n crime,
for this was the first time the Deacon had
known of it, so he had never been forbidden
| to plsy.
And as he sat in the crowded car, speed
ing on and still on, with strange faces all
about him and tho shrll whistle ringing in
his ears, his only regret was for his gentle,
loving mother and sister who were now en-
joying their repose, little dreaming that
when they awoke. he would be miles away
and that years would elapse before they
would meet again.
The sun was just lighting up the eastern
sky, gliding here and there the distant hill
tops with its golden splendor, when Deacon
Brown arose, and. rs was his custom,
hallooed to Fred to wake up" but receiving
no answer, concluded he had preceded him
10 the yard, SO he wendell his way thither.
But there was no row of pals standing at
the yard gate, for Fred was not there.
He returned to the house. and ascending
the stairs raped at Fred's door, saying at the
same time, come Fred, il is time to get up"
Still there came no response and opening the
door discovered tho well-made bed, for no
head had rested there through the night. and
in IN instant his words of the night before
flashed to his mind and he realized that his
son was gone. He then visited his neph-
ews' room, and, rs he expected, that too was
empty.
Hastily retracing his steps he burst into
his wife's room, and stood with blanched
face before her.
She had just risen and was standing at the
open window inhaling the perfume of the
many buds and blossoms that WAS waited
in on the morning air. but, as he entered a
glance told her something unusual had &C.
Cured. She had no time to ask the cause
for he gasped out, "He is gone Fred has
run away"
Her only reply was to rush past him and
up to Frod's room where his words were
confirmed There was the bed with its I'M
wrinkled counterpane and on the table the
neatly superscribed envelope directed to her
self Hastily breaking the seal she read
Dear mother, and sister Lottie do moi
think me heartless or unteeling, for / grievo
II leave you. But cannot stay here longer.
after what father said to me last night. The
words,"I never want to set eyes on you
again." cut me to the quick. II it WAS a
crime to play with the boys did not know
it, MS had never been forbidden to do so.
DO not worry about me, bat ever remember
mo in your prayers; and may God watch
over and keep you, is the wish Of your IN
worthy but loving son and brother,
FREDERICK ID. BRowN.
1t seemed for few moments, that thu
mothers heart would break. Tears wer'
denied her, and she stood as one stunned b,
some heavy blow. Then she sank into thu
chair where he had sat and written this not'
but q few hours before, pale and motionless
while the choking sensation became NOR
and more unbearable.
How her thoughts, like the electric flash
travelled backward to the time she had he'll
him. an innocent, helpless babe on her breast
and built, AS it now proved, bright, beautiful nj
castles for the future. All! vain huma
expectations. How soon the cup. we hav
bedeoked with the bright flowers Of hope,
shivered and each fond anticipation blasted
yesterday, the home circle was complete
o to-day, what vacant place-and who wa
s in fault? ... ..a
a The thought gave her new strength an
d she tottered down stairs and confronted he
l. husband with reproaches such AS she wa
r never capable of utteung before.
re She grew eloquent rs she expiated on h
~ harsh injustice and the hasty. unwise word
u he had used for rebuke. And now, h
noble, proud-spirited boy was a wandere
Il surrounded by tho sin and temptations of
Is world of which he knew nothing, or ne!
"a to nothing. .
" The deacon bore in silence the invectiv,
~ heaped upon him for conscience was a mo-
IL perfect Hccuser tina n the poor mother, for
reached deeper than her words could.
in But will not dwell on tho sad seen
"a Suffice it TO say, the whole tenor Of the
I'd lives was changed. .aA .t'tlta
tn In place of the brisk, business appearan'
te the place had always worn, there came
Ia dull, lstless look. quietness that even 4
he ehirp of insect life seemed to disturb.
Ae There was tho same taste aud care, 4
n. same attention to business, but here the oil
II. time resemblance ceased.
adj The father grew more gentle in his wore
and his bowed framN.Rnd gray hairs told
-. the Grief that WAS unspoken, for Ere,