Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-09-05
VOL. 72.-3699. NO. AZ.

Unlike many others, she was so cordial
and sweet lady that, when in her presence,
he forgot his poverty aud sorrows, and grew
gay aud genial, as he had been of yore.
II was well for his peace of mind that he
lid not realize how his weary heart turned
III refuge to this woman, for she was Young
,nd beautiful-well for him that he did not
dream of his dependence upon her.
She lived in the costliest ease she had
evidently the purse of princess. She was
witty, highly accomplished, with spice of
originality, and talents which made her
specially charming companion for men.
II was only six months that he had known
her He had begun to teach German of
evenings, to see out his expenses, and he
had requested to give lessons to Miss Clyde
and her little niece. They were TO spend the
next year in Germany.
From that day his troubles had seemed
lighter to bear.
The absconding of vllainous friend, for
whom he had been bondsman had been his
first misfortune then came the failure of
bank; afterward a mistaken investment.
lie had small sum of money still left--a
thousand or so but it was so involved with
the precarious affairs of others as TO be Of
little Use to him.
To teach languages and to copy law-papers
had been his only means of support for the
last four months.
Many butterfly friends flew away from
him. Only few true men clasped his hand
with word of cheer, and in the last year
had come streaks of gray at his temples.
But he was still Blanton Pleasonton,
very noble-lookiug fellow, and thorough
gentleman, you would have said had you
seen him waiting that evening at Margaret
Clyde's door.
There was rustic of silk, and the door
opened. A rosy face looked out, low down.
"Oh, Mr. Pleasonton, Pm afraid | have
kept you waiting Auntie told me 10 be
ready, but | went to sleep on the sofa. She
has gone out, but she said she would be
back by the time | had finished reciting."
You may be excused this time, Miss
Rose" ne answered playfully.
She was graceful child, eight years old,
exquisitely dressed in pink silk and white
erinine, and though arrayed as a little lady
of fashion, she sat down at his knee with
winning docility, and recited her task with
the greatest painstaking.
" You never forget said her teacher, with
pleasant smile.
"Auntie never allows me to forget" Rose
replied
At that moment the door opened, and
Margaret Clyde entered.
The rooms were full of crimson light.
| There were black bear-skn rugs before the
tenders.
As Margaret Clyde advanced up the
spacious apartment, her robes of velvet cling
ing softly around her, her dark beauty
seemed in an artistic setting.
Rose, you have recited well--you have
not annoyed Mr.. Pleasonton 2"
| n -, oh
Rose lifted her sweet, appealing eyes to
his face.
| "Nery well, " he answered for her.
Miss Clyde threw off her wraps, and sat
| down. There were rubies amid the snowy
lace at her throat She seemed too perfect a
creature to be sad yet there was a look in
| her eyes as of something subdued almost to
| pain. She, too, recited with entire cor
| rectness.
You two are wonderful pupils" he said,
closing the book
g would not add to your burdens, Mr..
Pleasonton,' she said, with great cheer
fulness.
lie rose with a smile.
"Few are so considerate," he responded
with his old bright glance.
" Have you not been copying late at night
of late, Mr. Peasonton 2"
| " confess.
I" | was afraid So"
"What betrays me, Miss Clyde ?"
Your eyes They are bloodshot."
The doctor warns me that | am iniuring
my eyes must be more careful" he said
lassing his hand in troubled way across
his forehead, 4" for indeed they are very pain
ful at times"
You must not copy at night
% will not | will rise an hour or two
earlier in the morning. Good-nightl" !"
And with low bow, and lightly shak-
ing the hand of his pupil, he passed out of
the room.
He ran lightly down the stairs, and crossed
the street to the palmer block, where his
unpretentious room overlooked Miss Clyde's
lighted windows
lie sat there watching the shadows upon
her curtains for a long time. 1t was the
pain in his eyes that at last forced him to 90
h. rest.
Ii was a month later that Blanton Pleas
onions last and greatest misfortune came
upon him. Oh, precious sense of sight it
was to be denied him. Symptoms that
could not be mistaken presaged his coming
blindness Aud before this terrible calam.
ity his brave heart quailed
The physician had Just left him, and he
4
bon, smelling of roses, was crushed in his
hand.
Margaret Clyde and the child had come
, to his room for book the day previous
and she had dropped it, He would return il
l the next day for he would not indulge him
self to keep any memento OF her.
When the doom was pronounced, it rushed
upon him with a terrible light that he had
I loved and lost Margaret Clyde. Lost her
because for this reason, il for no other ht
could never hope for her love. Poor and
blind Such utter anguish possessed hin
that he sprang up and CROPPED before him
=, with his hands, as ii he were already bereft
!. OF sight.
"Oh, this is a terrible world, aud want t
: die !" he cried aloud, unconsciously.
Two soft hands, bright with rubies
- todched his arm, and a sad beautiful fac,
i looked up at him out of its wonderful mid
v night eyes.
y once came to YOU"
Margaret-Nliss Clyde-oh, you do no
" know !"
Il have Just seen DIR. Fame. do know
q you will be blind for life, perhaps. Bu
listen-let me comfort you. You will hav'
e friend who will aid you, sustain your spir
, its, supply you with sight, wait on you
4 idoll2e you. One whom you saved from III
" eNpressible misery and destruction Can
!, you remember no such one p
y Il have lent many friendly hand, but
!, recall no one whdUwes me much gratitude
i Stay--there was girl friendess child, OF
- whose face | once saw such "A look as is nov
- on yours, though she was poor and plain
:, She, perhaps might wish to befriend IN
; from her low station, and | should be CRATE
. full for help from the lowliest being now
), "Then you will trust me, for | am tha
GIRL am Rae Oh, generous heart, al
that ! am, all that may be, ! owe to yol
II. only Rely on me-"
a lie was so drowned in misery that moth
=, ing astonished him.
\ "And love you. have loved you witt
n all my heart for seven years. Is there II
;, comfort in that, my poor darling :"
!, "Yes, comfort-colniort indeed. | will
. not even murmur since have your heart.
After two long hours of tender commur
! ing, he remembered how strange it was tina
~ +" little Rae Gray and Margaret Clyde shouh
- be one.
|. 81 was a grateful little creature" ex
= planned Margaret, land | gave my Who'll
y heart to the oongenial work you found TO
- me to do, until Mrs. Amberly came to low
, me. She instructed mel she made a con
y paniou OF Inc. She taught me to be lady
20 Id WAS not difhCult; my mother WAS lady