Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-04-20

Mrs. Burt0n's house stood IN private
street, on the outskirts Of the town, aud il
was considered 30 secure and respectable a
neighborhood, that if Martha went on an
errand. she generally left ihe door Just ajar.
IL she was going to be away ouly few
minutes. 1t happened that evening, soon
after nightfall, she ran out TO return the
paint-pot to its owner and not minute
afterwards a man, staggering along the
street in helplessy drunken fashion, laid
his shaking hand upon the handle. found
lhe door opea, stepped in aud by one Of the
unaccouutabIe freaks Of drunkenness,
walked straight upstairs, without making
himself seen or heard-fr Mrs Barton ives
shut up in her back parlor, aud Martha, as
we know was out--and opening the FIRST door
stumbled into the best bedroom. He flung
his old battered hat upon the newly painted
chimney piece, and steadying himself by it,
drew off bis heavy boots. and with all his
soiled and dirty Olothing upon him crept IN
between the lavender-seented. blanched,
milk. white sheets aud pillows Of Mrs. Bur-
tons best bed.
1t was no doubt a happy circumstance
that the old lady was far too tired at bed
time to care TO take look at her best bed :
room. She contented herself with looking
the door and carrying away the key, re-
solved to see how the paint was drying the
drst thing in the morning. Before long she
and Martha, with their unknown guest,
were all sleeping soundly under one roof,
1t was early in the morning when the
drunkard's slumber was broken by some
unaccustomed sound without. He opened
his eyes, aud stretched himself drowsily
but the next instant he was wide awake,
and his outstretched arms remained out
stretched in utter establishment. The rising
sun shone upon the window and its Vene-
tian blinds, and luxurious green light filled
the room. His rough and grimy hands lay
upon counterpart of extraordinary white
ness, and his shaggy head rested upon the
softest of pillows. He raised himself on his
elbow to look round, aud sank back again 10
blank amazement. Whersvsr could lie bel
Who was be n Was it really himself. Tom
room in one Of the lowest Of the back slums ?
Or was he somebody else, who had q right
to be there? How did he come into this
place at all? He was 50 bewildered that be
lay still for a while trying his best to think.
But it would not do. lie raised himself
again to take survey, and bis eyes fastened
upon the illuminated text over the Fireplace.
He had been brought up as an ornamental
sign-painter, aud the fanciful letters did not
puzzle him. The words did not remove his
bewilderment but they turned his thouRhts
10 another direction. Thou God seest me -
he read, half aloud. Thou God ssest me y
he repeated What did God see him at
that moment? He could see himself in the
large looking glass, and he could cot turn
his gaze away from it. There he was 10 tho
midst Of the sweetness, and cleanliness, and
purity, n wretehed, begrimed, vile object,
not fit for own eyes to look upon, Wher-
ever his hand fell there was stain upon the
whiteness. The pillow upon which his head
had rested-how different it was from the
other pillow which he had not touched
He was disgusting. even 10 himself. He
| wished be could not see his own face and
form in that dainty room. Aud was it true
that God saw bim-just as he was, degraded
below the beasts Did God see that wretch.
ed hole OF his, where his poor wife and chill
dren lay on straw and rags, while he had
been sleeping in such luxury2 Had God,
eye been upon him last night, when he had
made wager how much beer he could
drink : He could not endure the thought
| OF it. .-., .fIs s.ss,..- =
just then he lifted his eyes to the well
above the glass. There hung the second
text. "God is love! !" he read aloud
what" he cried "love Is God love
Does be love me 7 oh no that wonld b.
impossible. hate myself; The childFct
hate me Jenny hates noe. If God sees w
lie cannot love me. "Oh II he would bal
love me, or turn away his eyes from me
that He nay not see me. cannot bear e
think that he sees me. Thou God sees
me = God is lover The poor fellow
was half distracted With the multitude o.
his thoughts, aud the idea Of getting up AM
making his escape did not OnOe cgoss BIZ
mind. He could not have done it. for th,
key Of the door lay at the bottom Of Mrs
Burton's pocket She was dressing by this
time, anxious to see how her painting Of th,
last day was drying aud as soon as she wa
ready, having scrupulOusIy read psalm snC
engaged 10 prayer, she FASTENED to her bes
bedroom, opened the door solemnly. anC
entered with careful step. ny
Il would be impossible to describe Mrs
Buttons first emotions. Marshall, who had
lain down again, lifted himself up on hear
ing the door opened, aud met her horriGeC
gaze with one equally aghast Neither o
them could speak for q minute or two an'
thea she saw him slowly drag himself out o
the white bed-linen. and stand trembling be
fore her, the most Rbjeet, Wretohed oFeatnr'
she ever remembered to have seen.
81 dOu't know how ever i came to b
here" he said al know no more than thi
bed.p but I'm an honest man, missis
am, for certain! don't mean no harm y
sHarm :" gasped Mrs. Burton, who ha'
not yet recovered her speech.
81 wish | wasn't here, | do" be contin
ued. II didn't mean to do it, I'm SUR
Please to forgive me, missis, and III neve
do it again as long as l live"
"Why!' cried Mrs. Burton, "when di
you get in here 7" ....i. .... ....,
III was very drunk last night" he stan
mered, land l must have turned in "a
known to myself" 'e.i
drunk !" she exclaimed. "a drGnke
vagabond in my best bed Whatever sha
dot shall never fancy il again. Bu
you shall go to Jail for this, promise YOU
Martha, Martha Run for the police"
"Oh no, now !" cried Marshall. "FOrgiV
me this once. I've poor wife aud tAnil
"a Al