Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-24

i'iHhi WHO had set ihe tea-table and sent
Jennie, the kitchen girl, out to look for
Harry, whom the bell had not brought as
usual was surprised at seeing her father and
brother come in, both looking very grave.
IL was Mr. Ames' manner 70 look grave when
anything deeply occupied his thoughts. but
10 see Harry with downcast looks, so soon
after he had parted from her in frenzy Of
l delight, was quite unaccountable. She feared
| that Harry had fallen under his fathers dis
| pleasure for soine naughty trick done under
| the impulse of her premature announcement
/ Or perhaps, he had foolishly "let the cat
! out, and father had punished him and her
| hy giving up the visit. She busted her wits
hunting Tor the cause Of her brothers sober
looks, while Mr.. A. was helping his mother
out from her seat by the sitting-room FIRE 10
the tea-tablc.
What's the matter with Hal ?" asked
the old lady, who did not fail 10 remark the
detected appearance Of her grandson.
lie don't care to go down 10 Hartford
with me and visit Aunt Sarah" replied Mr..
Ames.
Why, Hal, thought YOU were crazy to
go and the aged woman dropped her knife
and looked steadily into the boys eyes lie
kept silent moment, then burst into tears,
rose from the table aud went hurriedly out.
What a strange boy said the father.
lie has something on his heart" said
Mrs. A., shaking her head
Louisa was silent, but after the awkward
meal WAS finished she sought her brother,
first in the garden, for it was still twilight,
then In the barn and tool-shop, and lastly,
with success, In his own room. She opened
the door without knocking.
wish you wouldn't always burst in ON
"A 70 ff 4 4 81.
boy, peeyishly, Go away." he added in the
same tone and turning himself on the bed
with his face to the wall, don't want any
company"
Louisa was hurt at the rudeness Of her
brother and beat a sudden retreat, wonder
ing what had made him so cross. After she
had helped Jenny about some household
affairs, (Jenuy was am old family sery.
ant Who had divided the honors Of house
keeper with Louisa since the death Of the
younger Mrs Ames, three years ago) she
went into the sitting-room and busted her
sell with puzzle of ivory rings--or, TO tell
the exact truth, with the puzzle of iIarry's
reyulsion Of feeling Her fingers worked
rather aimlessly, and the silence Of her
father and grandmother grew oppressive.
Glad were they all when Aunt Amelia"
Mr. Aues sister Mrs. Reems, who lived only
three doors away, came in with her boy Ed
ward and stirred up lively and interesting
conversation. She had all the village news
at her tongues end, She said that Booby
Ben had again broken Jail that there was
soon 10 be chronological lecture that some
Of the citizens had determined to break up
that old rum-hole Of a tavern, and so on, al |
most without end. She was not long, how |
ever, forge,ful Of Harry and learning that |
his absence was self-imposed, she said that /
she must go and see him at once. She tap |
ped lightly on the door Of the little chamber, |
and waited for the come in Aunte," which |
she knew would follow if her nephew was
abed and awake, or for the latch lifted by .
himself, If he had not yet retired. She was
welcomed by neither and therefore stole
gently in and sat on the edge of the bed.
The moon was shining Just enough into the
room to show her the figure Of the boy, who
had thrown himself down without undress-
ing and was now in troubled sleep. She
listened to his heavy breathing few mo-
ments, when 1t grew lighter, and all at once
a voice spoke out of the tumbled pillows.
Did you come in through the key-hole,
Auntie Z"
"Why do you ask ?"
Because am sure should have heard
the door open, even if you lifted the latch"
But You have been asleep, Harry
No, Auntie, you're mistaken have
been too unhappy TO sleep" said the boy
That is just the occasion Of your mistake,
my child; your troubled thoughts turned
into troubled dreams, so that there was no
break, and you thought you were
awake all the time"
"lf had not missed your knock on the
door, should be certain that ! had not
slept. Why do you Arrays knock, Auntie
Lu doesn't
Don't you like TO have me, Harry 2"
4" / don't know how it would seem for you
to come bouncing in, just as if was nobody
or, as Lu says, nothing but boy You
always do just right, Aunt Amelia" And
the child rose and embraced his aunt, who
kissed him tenderly and made him promise
that he would tell her all about it some
time and that tomorrow he would take her
to see poor woman, if father could spare
Black Hawk for that purpose,
Mrs Reems then returned TO the parlor,
and Harry went to bed mot a little com
forted," though sobs broke through his sleep
the whole night long. His peace Of mind
had been broken 10y falsehood. His hopes
had been raised only to fall the lower for
their elevation he had dashed the cup of joy
from his lips with his own needless hand.