Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-02
HIS WORD OF HONOR,

AND HOW HE BROKE 1T FOR A WOMAN,
Scene-a country tavern in the city OF
C; young man having great.coat
over his arm, light bag in one hand aud a
stick in the other, presents himself ut the
door and asks languidIy if he can be accom-.
modated with a bed and sitting-room.
"A bed, sir !" replied Mr.. Hunter, big
man with red face and gray hair, Eyes, l
think we can manage to give you bed"
"And sittlng.room ?" continued the
stranger.
"a sitting.room :" echoed the landlord ,siu
the tone of one who is considering some
great undertaking. Zone minute, if you
please, sir :" and Mr.. Hunter disappeared
into a little room Immediately adjoining the
bar, there to hold counsel with some second
person, the upshot being that in few min
utes Mrs. Hunter, Miss Hunter and a few
Hunters Just out of the crawling state issued
forth, bearing respectively working mate.
rails, socks in process of being mended, tin
whistles and decapitated dolls.
"You can have this room all to yourself
sir" said Mr.. Hunter, triumphautly.
"You really must not let me disturb you, ="
reoined the traveller.
Don't mention it," replied the landlord
in tone which was at once genial aud con-
fiicntial. 1--WE would not turn customer
away from our doors You see, VIC do not
have much parlor company"
"And this is the only room you have dis
engaged 2"
"Well, yes, sir; this is the only room at
present. Susan make a fire for the gentle
man."
The traveller was glad enough to enter
the apartment, and to draw close TO the IRE
the one dilapidated arm. chair.
Arthur Seton, lawyer by profession and
literary by choice, was not really more than
thirty, though he looked considerably older ;
for the dark hair aud beard we're streaked
with gray, and the face with its regular,
handsome features, wore habitually q look
Of intense mental WEAKNESS. For some time
he leaned indolently back, his hands clasped
behind his head at length he rose and took
from bis bag a locked.up diary. which he
opened, and, availng himself of pens and
ink which stood upon the table, made the
following entry:
"Oct II, 1874 Got up late. Called on the Brian.
stones George was out. Had pleasant chat with
H., n
haunted the Q-house. 1t looked just the same as in
the old dear days but heard children playing In the
CAME back To G w S P 20 s PSsPS o.
the club. Got back home late. Wrote column
Review, weary, weary day. Shall never know a
moments iorgetiulnessi
lie then drew from the leaves of the diary
letter written in delicate feminine hand
and addressed, "Arthur Seton, Esq" This
letter he regarded with long, sad, loving
look I; then, resting his head on his hand he
read it through very slowly. 1t ran as fol-
lows
Ny DEAR ARTHUR, Ifyou will be 80 suspicious, 50
jealous and eXaoting, cannot see how are b
le happy. Faith without works Is dead, aud love with
out faith is no blessing but a weary burden an
tired Of cross words and looks. Some women, | DO
leye, like tho eyersh exoitoDent Of quarres, but
only wish for peace. This miserable, petty Jealousy
quite unworthy Of you. Do try and put II from you
and remember that love once wounded Is sometimes
hurt past hope Of recovery. received your article
lave made me too sal, TOO weary and even a little
ALICE CLARBfIELD.
lie replaced the letter. closed the diary
took up his pipe and began smoking. The
early part of this day had been fine and
mild, but toward the afternoon the sky
grew all at once leaden and the wind shifted
to the northeast now the wind was rising
and the rain was ialling-a cold, penetrat'
ing, impetuous, determined rain. The cOun'
try, which but brief while since had looked
so fair in a bland October sunlight, now
seemed a thing to shudder at The dun.col
ored woods, wet aud lorlorn, seemed to have
no hope Of any returning summer and tC
know the utter desoation of the end. Ii
was impossible indeed to imagine that in the
green, soaking fields, where now a few COWS
were budding together and lowing discOnso.
lately, glad children could ever have tossed
each other in the warm, sweet-smelling hay
the rain drove drearily against the window
aud the wind shrieked round the house aud
occasionally Numbered in the chimney: aud
the wagons numbered by or drew up in from
Of the door, and, while the drivers availeC
themselves Of the tavern's hospitality, tn,
large broad.backed horses beat the miry
roads with heavy hOols. There was no
much TO occupy mans thoughts in thu