Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-05-26

| going to. lie had been down here. lookinr
| after some repairs on one Of his houses, an,
| he saw you enter this door. Now. boys, d,
you talk with this young lady few mo
mcuts, while I ask her mother something
about the picture on the opposite wall RI !
mistake not, have its mate at home"
While Lucia instructed the boys, ia gen
eral way, about wire stems" and rolling
wax Mr.. Bond learned for the first time
the fate Of his old classmntc, Doc Dins.
more" and the father Of Lucia
II was some time before all the story was
told aud, long before it ended Lucia was
back in her old place by her mothers side.
and the boys were leaning against their
father listening intently. Mr.. Bond soon
told his portion Of il and, brief as IL was,
even the children saw how tenderly he
had loved his friend, and how precious the
memory Of the cold Harvard days were.
81 never saw him." said Mr.. Bond, "aftor
your little Harry was born. lie wrote me
about his charming wife and boy, and said
ho was going Wcst to make a fortune for
them. ! badc him 'God-spced and have
uevcr heard a word after that"
" lie wrote you several times" said the
widow. 81 think he never gave up The
pleasant hope and daily expectation Of let
ter came here at his request, after we had
lost all there and now grief came to us at
once. My brother, the only relative had.
died in Roxbury, the week after my arrival.
Then Harry was taken; and we were left as
you find MS to-day"
Was there nothing left Of his property
nothing to keep the wife of my old friend
above want ?"
He thought so, am sure" said the poor
llftf T l.. 4
and, when did recover, the LAWYER gave me
two hundred dollars, telling me it was all he
could save from the wreck"
After chatting for an hour. Fred reminded
hs father that dinner would wait for them
and that gentleman rose to leave. full of
vague plans for helping the sorrowing wo-
man. and uncertain as 10 the best plan TO
pursue. Fred's wit helped him out Of his
dilemma.
Come here, father, and see these lovely
passion-ilowcrs | want You 10 buy them for
mother She paid ten dollars rthe maple
leaves in the library and they are not half
as pretty"
win you sell them, Miss Lucia 2"
4 made them to sell, sir but would
like to give them to your wife, as you were
paps's friend"
That is it. Well, well, some day You
shall make a bud or two expressly for her
But these were made TO sell and your
papa's friend would like to be the pur-
chaser" lie gave her fifteen dollars for the
spray and begged her to fasten them Sc
curcly in box, or his rogues would have
them in fragments before he reached home.
All the way home, their heads were full Of
plans for helping Lucia aud her mother
At dinner Mrs. Bond heard the subject dis
cusaet until she was not only curious, but
anxious, to see the maker Of the beautiful
flowers her husband had brought her
The next morning, soon after breakfast,
Mrs. Bond paid visit 10 the widow. and,
after long call, she went away, saying to
herself, " But for Gods mercy ] might be
in her place; and she is gentle, patient
hopeful. | have learned something, to-day"
Well, my dear said Mr. Bond in his
CHEEKY tone, Sc how shall we help the Dins-
mores 2
Harvey" said his wife, turning the da-
mond on her finger restlessly, "would you
thiak it wise to bring Mrs. Dinsmore here,
that We may have the best medical aid for
her The child could not be taken from
from her mother and am sure it would be
a good thing for the boys TO have girl in
the house. That proud little Lueia can give
me lessons in wax-work, if she likes. What
do you think, Harvey"
For an answer, Harvey Bond crossed the
room, and held the handsome face of his
wife between his hands.
think, little woman, that the God of
the widow and fatherless will bless you for
this, even as in my poor way do now"
1t was all settled at last. Lucia and her
mother went TO the Bonds for visit, while
the invalid was being treated for her spinal
trouble, and, at the end of six months, Mrs.
Bond begged her to "remain alw VS., and be
to her the sister she needed
"Aunty Dinsmore is bright blessing to
them all. Mr.. Bond has discovered bit of
tlickery in the settlement of his friends es-
tate aud his keen business eyes will make
the most Of it-OH and Ne,r.