Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-11-07
A WOman's Wisdom.

TINES.
Mary" said Mr.. Randolph, lifting his
Youngest boy from off his foot, which had
been performing series of journeys to "Bos-
ton and back again" for the last half hour,
al discharged Tom this afternoon ~
"You have Dear me, Lutherl" If
these words seem ambiguous on my paper,
the tones gave them fulness of meaning and
emphasis, and expressed surprise, regret,
aud some other feeling nearer disapproval
than anything else.
The tender playfulness which had crept
into the merchants face during his frolic
with his boy and girl was superseded by an
other expression, the one that he carried into
his office-among his warehouses-in his re-
lations with his clerks and employees, and in
his business dealings with men in general
hard, stern, shrewd look, which he was very
apt to leave outside when he turned the night
key in his door and passed into the warmth
and brightness of his home.
For, although this man was far from fault
less, although he had the name among his
brother merchants, aud on change, of being
ihrewd and sharp at a bargain, and pretty
certain to " line his own nest warmly in all
business transactions, there was still another
side to Luther Randolph-he was thoroughly
II home man.
That was the side which was warmest,
and tenderest, and most genial; the side
which was turned almost invariably toward
his wife, and the girl and boy, who were the
pride and delight of the mans life.
And well it was for Luther Randolph that
he had taken to wife woman so perfectly
fitted to sympathize with and develop all
these home loves and instincts of mans
nature, to make of the house where he dwelt
Il little earthly paradise of comfort and
brightness and beauty. In some respects,
TOO, she was his superior-in social position
and early cultivation and there had been
time when her family regarded it as insuifer-
able presumption for mere salaried book
keeper to dream of wooing the youngest and
petted daughter of the house.
But notwithstanding fortune and family
we're in his disfavor Luther Randolph had
many qualities of person and manner which
win the regard of women, and on this one
he had set his heart and soul, and she was
not unmindful of the tender, manly regard
which she had inspired.
Time, perseverance, above all, a steady
ascent up the ladder OF fortune, triumphed,
after several years waiting, over all obsta-
cles and Luther Randolph led to the al
tar the daughter of the old banker, Mary
Marshall.
lie was far into his thirties at that time,
aud so far life had been literally a struggle
with him. He had fought his way by the
strength of his arm and the might of his
will, without friends or fortune, aud now,
less than eight years after his marriage, he
was a rich man, honored of all men, If some
what feared and dreaded by his interiors,
and surrounded on every hand with evil
lences of the wealth which he had won for
himself.
Yes, Mary" he continued, with that new
hardness, which had settled into his face,
sinking also into his voice :" finished the
matter up in short metre this afternoon,
aud gave him his quit papers. am not the
man to be tampered with the second time,
rs Tom found out to his cost, to-day"
"What was his offence this time y in
quired the lady aud the evening paper
dropped unheeded from her lap TO the floor
and She leaned her face down to the cheek
of the little girl who was hanging on the
side of her chair and mother and daughter
made pretty picture at that moment, which
Mr.. Randolph would have keenly appreci
ated had not his thoughts just then beer
engrossed.
30, it was the old thing; he got into bao
company again, and, in short, came into the
office so drunk this morning that he coulc
hardly stand. | sent him back at once u
sleep off the effects OF his spree, and whel
he returned, pretty thoroughly scared an'
sobered, this afternoon, gave hln his dis
mssal, with some sharp words that he won
be likely to forget at once
Such smart, bright, pretty-behavet
boy as he was said the soft, regretfu
voice of the lady. "lt is such pity "
al agree with you; but il boys or mel
, Will make Tools oil themselves anu stahu II
their own light, who is to blamef I'd take'
fancy to the boy aud meant to do well b.
him, else | should have turned him away OF
the first offence"
And what will become OF him nov
Luther 7" asked the lady.
1t would be impossible for me to propt
I esy, my dear. The chances, however ar
/ against him. He's made bad beginning
and will be very likely to end III polic
court and a term at the Tombs, and that
the end of boy, of course"
80, dear said the lady, with littl
= start and shiver, aud an unconscious glanc
at the mesh of brown, FURNISHED hair thi
> > had nestled down on the hearth-rug, whs
: a terrible picture, Luther
Mr.. Randolph followed his wiie's gaz
= Perhaps he OWNED the association whic
y suggested itself TO her mind, for his tor
C c was certainly modified as he answered;
n THAT is true, ! need not have painted
= quite so black. Perhaps Toms future ma
. not be so bad as my croakings AT a
events, give your pretty little head no fu
- ther concern on the subject, for the be