Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-12-27


as If fearful Of her answer. Margery give
an unkind reply She couldn't II she had
tried.
Room, John ay, plenty Of room, and
welcome !" and Margery kissed the boy.
who burst into tears whereupon John blew
his nose violently, and hurried his wife and
the boy, whose name was Harry Fleming,
upstairs 10 supper.
Harry ate little, and when he spoke. II
was only 10 say. Yes" aud No." The
kind couple saw that his heart was full, and
did not trouble him with questions. After
supper, he was shown into snug little bed
room, which looked as If it had been specially
designed for a little fellow like him. Aud
so it had been.
John and Margery sat long over the par
lor fire, talking about Harry, and PROFOUND.
ing many schemes concerning what should
be done regarding him. John listened with
out objecting 10 any Of the proposals Mar
gerry made, although he had settled it IN his
mind that, II the thing were possible the
boy should remain in the house.
Margery," said John, after long pause
Of silence, don't you think the boy is very
like our Willie, whom IL pleased God TO take
from us so long ago ?"
=" Why, John, that very thought passed
through my mind when kissed him, as he
tood, timid and trembling, at your side"
After another long pause, John said
Margery, lass, strange idea has taken
possession Of me tonight. ! somehow think
that heaven has sent this boy to me as
New Years gift"
"A very strange thought, said Margery.
And yet not so strange, lass. after all.
Where do all our gifts come from but from
heaven and all are intended for our good !
But then arises too the solemn thought, dear
wife, that we must all give an account of
how we have used these gifts. Let us con
slider this boy Gods New Years gift 10 us,
aud let us bring him up in such manner
that, when the time comes, we shall not be |
ashamed 10 render an account OF our stew |
ardship"
at will be as you say, dear John. Yet
If a day should come on which his friends /
or relations claim him Oh, know you too |
well not to guess what heartbreak his de |
parture would be 2"
at would be bitter parting for me
still, for all that, let us do all the good for
him when we can, until that day comes, if
it must come, Margery, dear"
Harry Fleming followed the remains OF
his mother to the grave. She was decently
inferred in the churchyard of Wilton, the
tor and John, who often banded together to
do good.
According to the story which Harry told
to his kind protectors, while sitting on his
stool between them at the fireside, one even
ing, it appeared that his father had become,
shortly after marriage, a drunkard and a
gambler. lie used to absent himself from
home, frequently for many days, and would,
when he returned, beat his wife, and other
wise treat her cruelty At last his property
was seized by his creditors, and he fled, no
one knew whittier leaving his wife aud child
to the mercy of the world.
The poor deserted wife had neither friends
nor relations She thought if she could but
make her way TO London she could find
some employment She started on foot,
along with her son, to the great city, selling
her gold watch and chain in a town on the
road TO get money with which to pay
for food and lodgings, "and" said Harry.
as he concluded the melancholy tale. g.
brought the last penny OF the money 10 your
shop good, kind Mr.. Thurgood, aud good,
kind Mrs. Thurgood," and saying this he
laid his head in Margery's lap and wept.
In the lapse OF years Harry rose from er-
rand boy to chief assistant in the shop of
the kindly old grocer. His highest pleasure
was, when the hours of business were at
an end for the day, TO sit beside his kind
protectors, by the freside in the winter or
in summer in the little arbor, and read the
Bible to them, or talk about the events of
the days gone by. While old John listened
TO the voice be loved so well, pang of fear
would sometimes for an instant touch his
heart. 1t was the dread that /" his boy -
though Harry was entering upon manhood,
he was still his boy would be torn from
his side. Oh, that he could only have looked
into the future and seen that his fears were
groundless
Ten years have passed away, and again it
is New Years Eve. In order TO wish his
customers the compliments of the season,
John has-a rare thing now--taken his
place behind the counter. He has enough
to do. Everybody uM shake hands with
the silver-haired old man, and everybody
will wish him many happy returns Of the
season. A man enters the shop who holds
not forth his hand, and speaks no words OF
| joyous greeting. He is about middle age,
and has the appearance of shabby-genteel
beggar Harry asks him how he can be
served
." am aclerk out of employment" whines
the man, and have not tasted food since
morning. Look, sir, at these documents,
aud they will tell you that ! speak the
| truth
Had it been any other time. Harry would
have given the beggar copper or two, and
troubled himself no more about him but
being the eve OF New Years. he, busy as he
was, took the packet lie ran his eve over
one Of the papers. 1t was sufficient.
The man who stood before him was his
"A "a nI
which he gave to him, saying;
I" Take that TO the coffee-room as ad-
dressed, where you will be provided with
food, and remain there till come !"
The man, with stare of astonishneut,
took the note and left the shop,
As soon as the shop was closed, Harry
told John of his discovery.
" DO not bring him here" said John, " lest
| might say unkind things TO him do not
upbraid him, for it is dreadful thing for "a
son TO speak like oondemning judge 10 a
father. Speak 10 him gently Tell him
that God is long suffering; that Jesus died
for sinners, 10 matter how deep sunk in
inquity tell him that while there is life
there is hope.
If he shows any signs Of true penitence,
tell him from me, that | will introduce him
to a friend of mine, a merchant in London,
into whose Office he viii be received As clerk,
and in which he will be retained as long AS
he conducts himself we'll"
Who shall attempt TO describe the meet
ing between father and son While the
, joyous bells were ringing forth a welcome
to the New Years morn Robert and Henry
Fleming stood by the mothers grave, and
when the tears of the prodgal husband fell
on the snow-coyered mound. there was Joy
| Ia, .ft tl.a .f Il
one sinner that had repented.
Robert Fleming may be seen any day be
hind his desk in Leadenhall street. lie has
been in the situation twelve years, and en-
joys the esteem and confidence of his em
ployers.
Investing Money Well.
A few years ago gentleman, Mr.. Dowse
| 1ia1 in CamhriIgp Magq who had cnilacfpd