Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-01-05
III isttltantons.
MARSHALL sTRONGs ECHO.
ny ELIZA GILBERT HURD.

= SIT here with my newspaper wrong side up
I'm ashamed Of myself, and I'm sure Dug
= to be-"
, Ought to be--ought to be-" echoed the
chair rockers.
"What does all this mean ?"
"All moan," snapped the fire up the
! chimney.
"You think you'll mock me, and say
everything do
al do answered the spirit guest.
Mr. Strong threw down his paper, and
strobe up and down his comfortable library.
The freight flashed on the quantity carved
furniture, and danced on the old.iashioned
gilt frames and lighted up the black, blue,
and gray eyes Of the old portraits. One
pair particularly seemed to gaze sorrowfully
IRON the face OF beautiful girl-turn which
way he would they followed, and he found
himself looking over his shoulder at them,
with hope they might be turned away and
the spell broken. They seemed living. the
portrait breathing.
"Wcll, what would you have me to do 2"
he asked, in desperation. ITS too near
Thanksgiving, and not very good time"
"a very good time" was the reply.
"You are n bold one, | confess. You
even dare to contradict me-bother-can't
throw this off? I'll invite the fellows
here every day, and have other company"
"llave other company"
Mr.. Strong sank in his chair, and covered
his face with his hands. "Have other com.
pany" seemed to be whistled by the wind,
and tapped against the windows by the sharp
snow crystals. The old home where he sat
was his own, an old-iashioned mansi on built
OF red brick, with stone fa,ngs, and broad
flight of stone steps leadisg to the all-door
giving 1t substantial and comfortable look.
Mr.. Strong had an only sister, who had
her share Of the property years before. She
married unfortunately dissipated man, who
soon squandered her fortune and died, leav-
ing her penness and the mother Of four
children. There had been no communication
between the brother and sister since her
marriage, and it was only few months pre-.
vious to the opening OF our story that Mr..
Strong heard of her unhappy circumstances,
and that through others, for she was too
proud to appeal to him for help.
He tried to steel his heart against her, |
and assure himself again and again that il |
was her own fault, and that he was not |
obliged to spend his portion too upon her.
lie knew he had enough and to spare, and |
his conscience had condemned him until il
seemed real presence he could not get rid
Of do what he would. 1t whispered ia his
ear, echoed his words, which seemed always
to condemn him haunted him on the street,
speaking from out every womau's bonnet,
and startling by every chid.vo he heard.
AnIt Ia IL 4
around the house, this invisible monitor
chung closer and gave him no peace. lie
had regular conversations and arguments,
with it; but how to lay the ghost was the
question
Thanksgiving was coming, and here and
there he heard Of anticipated family gath
erings and merrY-makngs there seemed
but one for him-to give dinner to his
club. But his prompter suggested "other
company" and was in vain he tried his news. I
paper aud cigar, and at last put on his over
coat to go out: the risky wind slapped him
aud Knocked off his hat ut his first attempt, I
and even slammed the great hall door in his {
face, bringing faithful Tom to the rescue.
"Wild night, Mas'r; gwine out, sab ?" |
Mr.. Strong made no answer but stood q
with his back against the door, his eyes on '
the floor, while with one hand he mechaui. '
cally stroked his whiskers. Tom, who had d
grown gray in his masters service, looked ;
perplexed at his mood. d
81 say, Tom" I
"Yes sab !" '
ado you know what time the Trenton d
train leaves tonight ?" t
"Somowhar bout midnight, | drinks Won &
ind i'm de daily paper" G
80 can, Tom surely I'm an old fool" II
"Old fjo.oo DOL, f" shrieked the wind. Il
"l}o STILL roared Mr.. Strong. P
"Beg pardn, sab Tom didn't speak" =
said the old servant, wondering it Mr.. Strong
was losing his senses.
81 know, old boy; come to the library. n
1913" Mr.. Strong read, consulting his pa n
per- Tom, I'm going to Trenton on that (
rain see that my valise is packed" Il
"Yes sab !" :.
"And Tom, if telegraph that shall n
,ring company, SEQ that there never was a,
uch Thanksgiving dinner in D" :,
"Grand folks, sab p questioned Tom. y
There were tears running down Mr.. L
'trongs cheeks, aud he grew very pale. a
Dom caught him by the arms, with terri. +,
led face ~
81 am going for"
"Else it can't bo Mistress Elsie" gasped ~ ~
'om. -
"God help me, will CO." =,
al will 60" echoed thc ghost and seemed +,
o have started already, the voice was faint. 7,
nc shadows danced and fitted away Joy -
canned from the violet eyes on the wall, IS IS
nd Mr.. Marshall Strong knew his echo .
'ould taunt him no more 9,
"Apples, cakes nice sweet oranges have ~
n orange sir2" said sweet, grlsh voice,
s Mr.. Strong stepped from the cars at Tren.
on. lie stopped as the little shivering -
CURE held out her basket; the wind blew oh
er thin, scant, faded dress about her almost ag
are limbs so
allow do you sell your oranges 2" asked sv
lr. Strong. tr
Give cents piece, or three for dime, au
IT," 70
lie caught her eyes-there was the same tn
Oilet hue--was the ghost returuingH co
"You seem cold" he remarked, beginning Il,
pocket some OF the oranges. sh
81 am cold | am not used to being out ali
y brother Marshall-I'll pick them up, is
r"-sotting down her basket aud running tn
tier a couple Of oranges Mr.. Strong drop. ne
ed when she spoke his name-"my brother liz
Iarshall sells ZEN, but he got hurt yester- faI
lyi heavy truck ran over his foot an tn
''s laid uP-we are 80 poor, sir, thought ed