Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1877-10-06

and in whaling ship to the Atlantic
ocean. He hadibeen a successful specu-
lator in New York, and he had been
| digging for gold in Australia.
He had been gambling with princes In
Baden-Baden, and fighting for his rights
with the roughs of Nevada.
But one night, ten years after his
fathers death, when he was just recover
ing from an attack of the terrible vomito
in Matomoras, he suddenly bethought
him of the pleasant old home among the
breezy hills.
He heard in his soul the chime of
the church bells, and the faint, sweet
music of the people singing, just as he
heard them on that Sunday morning
when he went fishing to please the fair
and tickle Jessie Grief, and an intense
desire for those cool old rooms and
scented garden ways, for the murmuring
trout streams and broom-covered hills
possessed him.
He feebly sought for his purse and
counted his money. Yes, there was
enough left to clothe him decently and
carry him home; and he would be con-
tent henceforward to farm his fathers
acres and live as his father had done.
He had to travel slowly, bnt one
evening ten weeks afterwards, he got
off steamer and stood once more on
the Campsaile pier. No one knew him.
He stopped little girl to ask if
Doctor Anderson still lived at the
manse, and then took his way quietly
| towards it.
AS he opened the garden gate lovely
girl looked up from her carnations at
him.
He asked timidly for the minister,
and she led him into the well-known par
lor, with its low roof and old-fashioned
furniture.
Mr.. Anderson came thoughtfully in,
looked at Gavin curiously, held out his
hand, and the moment he spoke, said
81 thought SO. Welcome home
welcome home I promised your father
to say this much for him when this glad
day came round. I'm proud man to do
it, sir. Lucy, Lucy bring some cakes
and glass of cream. You'll be glad,
Gavin, l know you will, to taste the
wholesome oatmeal again."
And SO he ian on while he took off
Gavin's hat and coat, and gave a score
of hospitable orders.
SO Gavin stayed at the manse for
some weeks, and what passed between
the minister and him no one ever knew
but I think Gavin told him most of
those ten years sins and failure. But
he had come home now, he said, to
repair his fathers house and live in it
perhaps, in time, he might win again the
respect of his fathers friends.
Mr.. Anderson heard and reioiced.
He gave Gavin one hundred pounds,
which he said was rent due to him, and
advised him to begin at once putting the
place in order.
It would employ him while he looked
around, and it was best not to be in a
hurry with any plan.
So Gavin stayed all summer with the
minister, and by the end of it-as any
one might have foreseen-he had but
one thought in life-Lucy Anderson.
He was almost sure Lucy loved him
too, but he had never dared to speak tc
her. But one night, as he sat full OF
dreary thoughts about his wasted past
| Lucy cttfll6 tuu bOuCllcu ulD.
"Mr IRWIN" she said, "you are sad
and You make me miserable. What il
the matter?"
81 love-and I am unworthy to love.
"Did she say SOP"
Lucy oh, Lucy I"
Love had manifold ways of explaining
itself. These two looked in each other
eyes and saw all they wanted. But thu
father was not so sanguine.
He remembered the past ten years
and trembled for his Lucy's happiness
"Tll tell you, Gavin, what I will do
You shall perform thing ask of you
and then will say amen to Lucy's yes.
81 will do anything in the power o
man to do"
MY request may seem eccentric ant
, purposeless, but I have good reasons fo
making it. 1t is now the end of August
you shall go every night to your father
house at ten o'clock, and sit in his chai
until midnight strikes - every night
mind-and will give you an answer a
the New Year"
Your wish is singular one, but
will fulfill it."
"You are to take no company, n
stimulant, and no light of any kind +; an
you are to keep our tryst in spite of win
; and weather."
81 will strictly fulfill your orders"
! No one spoke more of the strang
> compact, but it was silently fulfilled t
the letter.
/ Only on Christmas Eve, the old ma
{ pressed his hand as he left, aud said
"Be content; your trial is nearl
, over"
So Gavin went out of the cozy, ighte
t parlor into the dark, cold, lonely hous
with happy heart.
He had sat about an hour when b
/ heard footsteps, and saw the glimmer {
g light. The door opened and the mil
: lister and Lucy entered; but it was Luc
that kissed him and said:
: "Come home, Gavin Come hom,
q Papa says so, and I am yours, darling
y forever and from this hour"
d "Yes, Gavin, said the minister, {
i they talked together afterward, #"
thought tonight is Christmas Eve; II
d better time to forgive and forget, to tru
d and love; and when I asked Lucy, 81
}. said it was God put the thought into m
s heart, and so we've both come for you.
J. And now, nay dear second fathe
tell me why you put me through such q
ordeal ?"
q Because / wanted, first, that yc
IL should think well over the past, and
,r knew that the lonely walk in all weatl
ers, and the lonely house, SO full of tel
l. der memories, was the best place +,
thought. Secondly, knew if you hs
10 the resolution and love to keep promi
extending over four months, you mig
10 be trusted with graver promise. Al
N, ,,nx, r have n Jo,,LIa ,axuorI Coz. 1y<,