Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-11-24

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was vacation, and Eben and Robert had ac
companied our father TO the city. During
their absence, the boys proposed picnic a
Clark's Point, mile or two up the river
II was given in honor Of two old associates
now collegians, on vacation visit home.
was the Youngest guest, aud therefore prouS
Of my invitation. Much talk was ther'
among the boys what they should eat anC
what they should drink, aud how the affaii
should be conducted in grandest style. My
mother baked me a cake, buttered crackers
and cut large slices of ham, for my contri
button to the feast Walking in the garden
espied Eben's large, round, ripe water
melon 1t was earlier ripe than its fellows
for it had been the object of Ebem's specia
care. Again and again had he turned il
over to The warm sun, aud just before ho left
had raised it upon a smooth, flat stone, tc
enjoy every advantage of warmth and air
o, if only had that melon 70 thought |
none of the boys have got a melon %
carry if only had i'll" This was moi
wished once, twice, or thrice. but many
times, until it grew TO my very mind.
What are You thinking OF p asked Bill
Parsons, as I walked silently beside him in
the street, an hour after.
Something" replied |, significantly
Toll me, now, won't tell, said he, coax
ingly After some slight demur. told him
how desired Eben's melon for the picnic
Capital !" exclaimed Bill, who was very
fond Of melons, " let's have il p
Why, mother will not let me have it, be
cause it is not hers to give, aud Eben has
not come home,' replied |.
20, never mind that You know what
the college boys tell US about their sprees
They make nothing Of robbing hen-roosts ant
carrying off what they can lay their hands
on. It's all in joke. You know. Now let,
have Eben's melon" Many words passed
between us, and at last it did not seem SC
very bad joke, for in that aspect could
alone persuade myself to.see 1t. | went
home. That night, or never must the melon
be secured. Evening stole on, aud Bill Par
sons no longer near to urge his dangerous
sophistry, | was the victim of doubts and
hesitation. About the garden hung, aud
often toward the melon | advanced, and as
often tremblingly receded. 1t grew darker
and darker.
Bill says it would be so capital And
after all, it's only a joke J" | rushed for
ward, aud seizing fast hold, snapped it from
| the stem The deed done, hastened to se
crete the treasure in the barn.
The next morning arose at an early hour
for no sound sleep had visited my pillow thai
night. After breakfast my mother tied NJ
the eatables she had prepared for me, in ;
nice white bag, and, kissing my cheek, bad'
me be good boy. ran out the front door
and then stole around into the barn. Their
| lay the melon. Hastily did strive TO thrus
| it into the bag. and 10th was it to go, $,
small the bag. so large the melon. Succeed
| ing at last, slung the bag upon my shoulde
and hastened away. The melon was heav,
on my back, but heavier load was on m.
heart. Tugging on to the place of ronde2
vous, before half there, in a little cross street
| sat down upon log, hot and weary.
81 cannot carry this melon" said !, open
ing the bag and looking in with a remorse
full aud troubled spirit. ! cannot carry thil
poor melon Out came the melon and
tossing it over fence, scampered off Will
all the speed | was master Of
The day passed off wearily enough TO me
| Bill Parsons called me coward, when he be
held no melon, and his bitter taunts ranked
in my heart all day.
What wonder what regrets attended th'
discovery of the theft.
"That beautiful melon stolen % exclaime,
Eben, refusing TO believe it possible.
"That you took such pains with - sal,
Robert.
What an ugly thiefw
am very sorry my sou,' and fathe
looked so regretfully.
You will have another soon, Ebcn, sal,
our mother, encouragingly.
But it will not be like that, mother
did nurse it so carefully" Poor Eben.
cannot describe the misery, the fear, th'
the days which followed. Where was tb,
hapnv independence of conscious integrity
| cringed before the affectionate caresses q
nv brothers. Appetite fled. and INV spirit
foTsook me. When NV mother. with anxiou
look. feared that | was sick, | coldly an
| swered and ru,lely fled from her inoniries
Every object which | beheld. seemed 10 re-
fleet but the ono dreadful imape-tbat | wa
n thief | bore il until could bear il II,
longer. II was Saturday afternoon. and
turning distastefully away from all Saturda
afternoon frolios | sought INV fathers count
| ING room. "Father. are you alone ?" asked
the door being aiar.
| Yes. nv son. walk in. am bappy TO Sc
YOU :" and he nut aside his newspaper. /
/ went. and shut the door firmly behind m,
Planting myself courareously before hin
while the life.blood seemed oozinp from m
heart " Father" | BEGAN. and swallowe
hard 10 keep down the choking sensation i
my throat. " father. it was who stole Eben'
melon / stole il in the night" | sha
meyer foroet tbe grief..xpressipn which cam
suddenly over nv father. face as he locke
al me fell on NV knees before him an
hid NV face. but | could not ery. lie hi
his hand upon INV head; " Ralph. did yo
forget MAI Cod beheld Won y" Tbe en-
earnestness of the innuiry penetrated NV i,
most soul. With Quick and broken uttel
anoe, | rehearssd the story of my guilt
Father father. can Won forgive me Sha
| ever be bapnv ayain WRat sLaH do ?
were the impetuons qnestionings of INV ho
and aching heart. lie aid not speak for
moment. and then his voice ouiyered. IIa
he sterniv sent me from his presence. had Ii
wbinned me conld have horne anvtbin
better tban his sad ouiverinc voice, Al
6jLerl 5or ! Ness My meuorD
/" Nv son " he at iength soid slo,ylv an
distinctly . Won have hSoIen n great law q
vomr Co3 yon baye LetreveJ a. trnstin
aeec,ion os hsother Yo9 have violate
tbe con6dence of vonr family" fell ms