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


but given by popular speaker whose aim
was TO stimulate the social and intellect
nal growth Of the community
But Tonight, his was theme OF interest
TO all, and one that will never be exhausted.
It was Parental Responsibilities"
He was now seated on the stand IN con-
versaIion with some Of the city officials, hut
soon arose and was introduced to the audi
encc as Frederick Denman. Esq. OF New
York.
lie was splendid type of manhood, and
murmr ofMlmiration ran. through the inn
mense crowd as be bowed his acknowledge
ment.
lie began with a preamble relative to our
first parents. and, as he came gradually
and grandly down from them to tho parents
Of the present day. he waxed more and
more eloquent till the vast sea Of humanity
gathered before him, Ind no thought but of
him, and the words he was uttering,
His broad, high forehead. from which
wealth of dark. wovy hair had been care
fully combsd. was true index of tho mine
of knowledge contained within. while the
strong. commanding voice, and the soul
speaking eye held every nearer captive.
But the stranger that had seemed so care
less and indifferent, what of him?
lie was deathly pale, and covered in his
seat like some wild animal subdued by the
stropgwill Of his keeper. Aud, rs thespeaker
went from ono point to another, he sat us
though spell-bound, his eyes rivotcd upon
the floor. till he came to speak of the harsh,
cruel words with which some parents re-
buked their children, and the woo and desc
latien that oit-times followed, when he could
bear It no longer, and, darling through the
crowd, fell ut the speakers feet with the
words, Forgive me, my own, my darling
sonl forgive your cruel father"
It was an affecting scene. The white
haired sire pleadingthe strong mans forgive.
ness, for hard, unfeeling words spoken in
the "long ago" that had raUkled in his
breast wearing out his very life.
The audience were on their feet In u mo-
ment, and some rushed forward; but he
waved them buck and taking the prostrate
man by the hand, raised him to his feet, and
said, Father, it is all forgiven" He then
placed him IN the seat he himself had occu-
pied and proceeded with the lecture; only
telling them that the scene they had wit
messed was caused by an unwise rebuke, and
was warning to all parents to temper their
words with caution, lest they, too, taste the
same cup. .r.r, ..r t.... .I.
So faithfully did he delineate the woe and
anguish that inevitably followed, depicting
in vivid colors the temptations that brset the
young and inexperienced when thrust from
their homes, and their probable ruin and
downfall, that tears filled the eyes of many
unused to this luxury.
He closed. thanking the audience for their
kind consideration. and, taking his fathers
arm, retired from the hall.
They proceeded at once TO the hotel where
the son was stopping. and in his own room
perfected the reconciliation. 1t would he
useless TO attempt to portray the joy that
permeated the hearts Of this father and son
The one, that the lost son was found. no.
BILE, useful man, an ornament to his family
and the world, aud the other, that he could
again visit his mother and sister and
enjoy the companion ship Of those he loved,
and with them roam about the old home,
where he had spent his childish days. They
sat long into the night recountiug to each
other the events Of the past, and it was ar
ranged that he should accompany his father
on his return home. . .
The business of each required some days
to accomplish, the sons engagements taking
! the longest. so letter was dispatched TO
the little New England home, telling them,
| "that important matters detained him longer
than he expected and he should not arrive
till Thanksgl wing day. And, that they must
prepare TO meet dear friend.-onc they
had had not seen for many years.
This letter, so vague and unsatisfactory
raised the highest hopes in the mothers and
sister's hearts, and though little was said,
the thoughts OF the return of the son and
brother were paramount to all others.
So the days wore away, filled, rs it were,
with alternate hopes and fears, till the day
came that was to bring Deacon Brown and
| his guest to Woodbine Cottage. 1t was .
cold. November day; the wind whistled ant
sighed through tho trees, while, now ant
then, snowflake came whiring down, rs
reminder that winter was at hand. At on
o'clock u team WAS started for the depot, FOL
they were to come on the two p. m. tram
and would arrive Mt home just in season TO
the Thank sgiving supper.
Lottie and her mother were In n fever o
expectancy; yet, they were self-possesse'
enough so the roast turkey and chicken pi
were done "to turn, and the plum pudding
| E..o,, fHha tat.Ia mn q ,,fool.s aat ,tfifl, n
snowy cloth, its glistening silver and china
when the rumbling of wheels as they cam
swiftly over the frozen ground announce
their arrival, and tho Deacon entered, fol
lowed by n noble-looking man some twenty
four or five years of age, closely muilled an
his hat drawn little down, SO you coul
scarcely discern his features.
The usual greetings exchanged, he tnrnc
to the gentleman with, "This is"
my sonl" exclaimed the mother, as sh
was clasped in his strong arms.
1t is peedless to describe the deep JOY {
that meeting Words would fail were I
attempt it. But, we will listen and repea
to you, in our own words, some of his In
tory in these ten years Of absence.
/ On his arrival IN New York he wei
!. directly to his uncle's, Edward and He
bert's fathers, where he was warmly we
coined Tho event of that sad night was +,
! hearsed, and his leaving home, and it WI
thought best that he drop his surname an
q be known rs Frederick Denman, which W;
a no myth, as he was named for his uncle
/, His uncle took a lively interest in his we
fare, and, being wealthy man and feelr
that his sons had been the innocent cause
r his downfall, had aided him In every poss
bic manner. till he had obtained colleg
a ate education, which, added to a fine. natur
n talent had given him tho prominent positio
"a he now occupied.
N lily gathered around the table, where thu