Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-16

OF l'hNlds deiight az seeing her shOrtns
aud beauties the way, 50 that she starts
with surprise when a fellow-travelet tells her
she is at Paddington. Timidly she stands
back from the crowd, holding her basket
tight upon her arm, and watching the pass.
ers-by with wistfnl, patient eyes. What a
great place this station isl and every one 20
busy and engrossed
II you please, want to reach Earring.
don street. Would you kindly tell me what
to do y"-she has at last accosted a porter,
az he passes with hamper on his shoulder.
Gross to Metropolitan"
Cross to Metropolitan The words are
foreign words 10 her What can they mean
Is there a river, then, between her and
David Another porter, coming slowly up
~ the crowd disperses, sees the puzzled look
upon the woman's face, and how she shrinks
apart in her neat country dress, and holds
her basket with such care aud pride
"Where do you want TO 60 =" he inquiries.
kindly
To Farringdon street | am TO cross
something, but ! could not understand. !
am sorry to be so troublesome"
You'd far better have a'cab," the man
SAYS in tone Of involuntary kindliness.
DO you mind the expense p
have six shillings in change" she an
swers, looking gratefully into his face.
"Will that do 2"
Half of it,"
He takes her to one Of the waiting cabs,
and makes a bargain with the man in her
presence; then be closes the door upon her,
and smiles as she drives away.
And this is London, this line of streets,
and crowd Of people, aud deafening sound Of
wheels Poor Davy How he most long
for the quiet, shady lines, and the fresh
breeze coming inland from the sea
The cab stops, and Mary Sullivan stands
with beating heart at the door OF tall mar
row house in farringdon street, and rings
the bell family. She waits what she thinks
a long, long time before young woman ap-
pear in answer TO her modest summons.
"Will you tell me, if you please, in which
room shall find my son p
"What's your sons name p the girl asks,
with a long stare.
David Sullivan"
"Oh Mr.. Sullivan" she says, little more
pleasantly. He's out Would you like to
step into the passage aud rest z"
Thank you," Dayid's mother says, gently,
as she meets this unlocked for blow; 81
would much rather 90 to him"
I" | don't know whore he is, though. He's
nearly always out. He's at an office all day.
Then he's forever going out into the coun-
try somewhere he's got a house he's been
furnishing, don't know where else he goes,
but he's always away at night
lie will be at--that house you speak of,
suppose ?" questions Mary, her voice trem-
bling in its eageness, as her thoughts dwell
on this home which David has been prepar-
ing Tor her. 81 wish you could tell me
where it is"
But don't know" the girl answers.
I
better stay here till he comes back"
." would rather 60 to him. Do You think
any one in the house could kindly tell me
where he is %
young foreigner Is coming down the
stairs as Mary speaks, and she looks shyly
and wistfully at him. So the girl asks the
question" Does he happen TO know where
Mr. Sullivan is
Monsieur Sull-Sullvan 2" the Young
man questions, laughing little, as he glances
into the face of the country-bred yet deli
cate-looking woman who stands holding her
basket so closely TO her side. Yes, know.
Why 2"
al am his mother" Mary SAYS, her voice
bright with pride.
" Had you not better wait here until he
comes 2"
al would far rather go to him, if you
would help me-
You are quite sure ?" he asks again
with the laughing glance.
"Quite sure, sir"
"Then | will direct you, for am going
that way myself You had better, at any
rate, leave your basket here"
SO she gives it to the Young woman, with
a shy request that it may be taken care of
then follows her guide out into the street.
Il seems 10 Mary that they have walked for
miles down noisy and bewildering streets,
when they turn and enter wide and open
doorway With sign to his companion 10
follow the stranger walks on along a car
peted passage, only pausing a moment to
speak TO a man who is standing there-just
as il he might be waiting for them. Mary
follows her guide on and on, wondering how
this lighted way can lead to any home which
David has chosen for her.
Yet all the while her heart is ilutttering
oyfully, because the meeting must be now so
near Once more the stranger stops TO
speak to some one who stands at an inner
door then he leads her through it, on amidst
\ crowd of seated figures.
If YOU sit here" he says, with a smile,
pointing down To vacant seat which they
have reached. YOU will soon see your son.
Watch the wide entrance opposite you there,
and you will see him in a few minutes"
Mary thanks him with simple earnest
ness then takes the seat and waits, her
eyes fixed with smile of expectation in
them. upon the opening opposite.
/ What gay, grand place this is, with
/ lights like suns and stars upon the ceiling,
/ so far up, so very far upl Why, the church
at home is not nearly SO high as this room.
/ But why is it lighted yet The June sur
shine is lying brightly now upon the sea at
home, and it must be light as day in the cot
tage rooms. What thousands of faces are
gathered here-all looking one way too,
I all looking at that door which she has been
hidden to watch. Are hey waiting for
/ David too
Suddenly band begins TO play, and puz-
zled more aud more, Mary turns her eyes
/ from the spot she is watching so intently.
/ David has never told her about this music,
and these lights and this great lofty room,
and the watching crowd. What does it
mean Aud why is Davy coming here
A prompt, tumultuous sound of clapping
| in the crowd, and Mary turns her puzzled
l ewes back again to the doorway she had been
hidden to watch. No one is there, save the
few idle figures which have stood there all
the time. But now, in the cleared space in
the centre of the building, a man (who
must have passed through while she was
gazing at the band, and whose face is
turned from herr is climbing single rope
suspended from the roof.
Wonderingly, Mary watches the light and
active igure-tightly clad in white AMI
crimson-springing upward with the speed
and the agility of squirrel. Why should
he do this daring foolish thing Is mans
/ life so valueless that he should risk it thus
to provoke moments passing wonder Is
death so trivial thing that he should brave
| IL rcckessy thus 10 win moments ap-
/ plause? All 10 think of his mans life,
aud then of Days
Another minute, and the man she watches
/ springs 10 a double rope which hangs from
| the lofty ceiling; and sitting there at ease,
looks down upon the crowd. Then Mary's
eyes look full into his face
Ii is special performance at the circus
on this June night, being the farewell of the
famous gylnnast, Monsieur Sulli, who, after
his brief and brilliant career, is retiring from
the profession in which he shines without
rival, intending to settle down--so it is
rumored, ironically and diseontentedly-to
oilice-work with AN accountant, and TO live
in small house out in north suburb with
an old mother from the country. So rdicu-