Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-05-17

yellow blot upon the landscape.
Mr.. Dean tried TO take the inlliction philo-
sophically, since there was no remedy for 1t,
and succeeded in putting IL out Of his mind
about as well as people generally do when a
thing is constantly in sight. But Alice, who
was young lady Of some spirit, was at no
pains either TO lessen or conceal her indigna-
tion. Her mother had been dead for many
years, and on coming home from school a
year before, the marriage OF her ouly sister
had left her sole mistress Of her fathers
home. She had the greatest pride and de
light in her ancestral home; and these feel
ings together with her artistic sense of the
beautiful in nature, were so CALLED by this
hideous barn, set under her very eyes, that
she could never look at it without a ilutter Of
wrath, sometimes silent, but often outspoken.
II was during the winter which followed
the building Of this barn that young Mar
shall, as he was called, returned from Europe.
John Marshall had bestowed upon this only
son every opportunity for that extended in
telligence and culture which those OF his
name had hitherto considered of little worth
compared TO the accumulation Of lands and
stocks "1here Is money enough" he said,
" and John shall have what he wants, pro-
vided he does not squander IL "a sin which
the young man did not seem inclined TO
commit, since, though he knew how 10 spend
generously, he had never vet exceeded the
ample allowance granted him 10y his father.
Sole heir to the Marshall farm, which had
grown 10 be the largest in the country, good
looking, frank and iovial, and with an ease
and grace of manner conferred by three
years Of foreign travel he speedily became
the lion OF Silverton. Atthe village parties
and social gatherings. all united to welcome
him, and do honor, with one exception. \
naughty bow was the only acknowledgement
that Alice Dean would youchsafe his pres
ence. She could not he brought to include
herself in any conversation in which he took
part, and her cool Withdrawal from group
which he chanced to Join would often place
their mutual friends IN embarrassing posi-
tions. Her father, having noticed this on
one occasion when they had been out to-
gether, demonstrated with her on their re-
turn, mildly suggesting that she should en-.
deayor to keep her angry feelings little
more out of sight. " "This young man is not
TO blame for his fathers conduct. You know,
he concluded.
"Of course not" said Alice "but he's
his fathers SON. and a chip of the old block,
daresay No." she added, after a moments
silence, it's of no use trying. can never he
civil to Marshall, with that hideous, yel-
low barn staring me in the face
Five minutes later, Mr. Dean, who had
taken up and was looking over his news
paper. laid it down in a hurry as Alice re-
marked, in a slow, deliberate way, as though
she had at last made up her mind
Papa, that barn viii be the ruin OF my
temper. am going to set fire TO it "
Mr. Dean glanced about the room, half
afraid that they were not alone, before he
replied
"My child that may be pleasant little
Joke of yours, but it is lucky that there was
no one to hear it but myself"
:" 1t is no joke at all, papa. ! am quite
serious. ! have been thinking about it for
some time, and mean 10 do it,"
Mr.. Dean took off his eyeglasses, and
looked attentively at his daughter. Upon
my word, | believe the child has some such
intention" he said to himself. To her he
said
alt is your opinion, then, that you have a
right to make way with your neighbor's
property whenever your pleasure is not con
suited in its situation z"
Z" 1t is my opinion" said Alice, with the
confident logic of eighteen years, " that my
neiehbor has no right TO set up an abomin'
able nuisance under my very nose And il
he can't be made to remove it, | think
should be justified in getting rid of il in the
easiest way possible.
And you think also upon mature con
sideration," said Mr. Dean, " that you would
prefer the four walls in the state prison iol
the next ten or fifteen years, to those of youl
neighbor's barn 2"
"ls that the punishment for arson 2"
alt is"
"Oh, but should not be caught. have
several plans. any of which is quite safe"
Bnt, unfortunately, yon have a witness
of your intentions" said Mr. Dean, quite
seriously
" No one but YOU aud, of course you
would not testify against me-
Indeed, should returned Mr.. Dean
with the air Of a stern, impartial Judge.
"Oh. papa, won't believe it i" and Alice
took seat upon her fathers knee
"Yes." said the iuexorable father. 81
mean it. If YOU burn M Mr.. MARSHALL,
harm. | shall tell all about the matter"
" And send me TO prison 2"
"To he sure. would be sorry. of course
AZ it would deprive me Of valuable house
keeper. Nevertheless. | should feel bount
to do it, Aud Mr.. Dean. looking into tn,
LARGE blue eyes which pazed al him witt
| such a serious expression, seemed half il
earnest.
aCome come Alice" he exclaimed, a
length. alt is high time for us TO put
ston 10 such talk as this: and. what is more
Won must promise me not TO harbor such dan
,rerous notions in that busy brain of yours.
AZ cnn't promise. It's impossible to con
troll ones thoughts. you know" returne,
Alice with shake Of the head that wa
comically serious"
I" Very we'll" said Mr.. Dean then | mus
put Won in straight jacket, and keep yot
where Won will be- in no danger of doin,
m;scbisfr
Here the pretty incendiary burst into he
usual merry laugh kissed her father, bad
him GOOD niqht and went to her own room
coming hack 10 saw,
+" Won't bum The barn tonight. papa. 5,
van cam rest in neace"
II was late in March. and the day had beel
ve.v warm. one of those sultry days whicl
sometimes come unexpcetedly and. takinl
ne nno,yoras half prnstrate ms with thai
sudden heat Clouds had threatened all ia
oyening rreai masses which seemed I
g,tIer blscLness as thew rolled westward
snJ at ,,idnight law groIyls Of thunder h,
,an ,n to hreaL lhe Stiffness. and the hig dro,
of rain 10 natter noi,rk.ssly against the vii
dow name
Alec awote. and loy watching the yiyi
flashes which now and then lighted M he
room. and left If bneker darkness than b,
fore. when suddenly there came a sharI