Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-04-24
Hospitality Hall.
CHAPTER l.

ChhI
1t was the last day of the year; n wild
stormy day. The snow was falling heavily
but in small flakes, which were tossed and
whirled about by the wind and piled up in
heaps in corners and against the sides o.
fences. 1t was a day when people abroad
pulled up their coat collars high around
the throat and pulled their hats over then
brows, and when, in spite of such protec
ton, the snow found its way down the
neck and into the eyes day when people
did not 90 abroad who had no business
out, and when those within instinctively
drew their clothing closer about them as
they gazed upon the bleak and cherries
scene without.
About three o'clock in the afternoon Of
this wild and stormy day, the last of the
wear of our Lord, Is. John Warden
his wife Mary, and their adopted daughter,
Julia Gray, sat in the well-warmed,
though sparely furnished, best room in
John Warden's house.
John Warden was Il man of apparently
some sixty years of age, albeit his hair
which was as white as the snow that fell
so rapidly without, would have led one to
believe that he was older; but the ruddy
cheeks and still bright and sparkling eyes,
and his tall, unbent form furnished Il better
idea of his years. He was what one would
call man of fine presence. There was
benevolence in his glance. and sweetness
in his smile truly captivating, and when
he spoke, his tones were full of II rich
tenderness inexpressibly pleasing, and to
those used to harsh words, so touching as
to start tears. Noble John Warden he
had been called in his youth, just and
benevolent John Warden in his maturer
years, and now he was called gentle John
Warden in his age. Honorable titles, all
of them, and, more than all. in youth
manhood and green old age he had been
good John Warden. What higher claims
than these could man present to be re-
spected and honored among men?
His wife, Mary Warden, was not quite
so old rs her husband, but she showed her
age more. Her hair was quite white and
there were wrinkles on her brow and in
her face. which time had never drawn
there. Her eyes were mild and gentle anl
beamed with dove-like expression anc
her face still showed the traces OF the
beauty which had been her possession in
youth. She was one of those women who
are all tenderness. She had never hac
any marked individuality; she had since
her marriage been simply known AS John
Warden's wife; but she gloried in thai
title.
Julia Gray, the adopted daughter of the
couple, was beautiful woman of twenty.
five: blonde brunette, if the term may
be allowed, with -bair like sunshine, and
dark, melting eyes. She was tall and
graceful of form, and carried herself like a
duchess; but she had none of the liveliness
and vivacity of youth about her. Her face
was sad, her voice low and pathetic in
tone: and in manner she seemed to be as
old as the gentle woman whom she called
mother.
The three persons described constituted
John Wardens family. John and Mary
Warden had had several children, but they
had all died in infancy, except one. boy,
who had grown up the counterpart OF his
father, after whom he was named. Jack
Warden as he was called to distinguish
him from his father, was noble youth
brave. manly, generous, loving and dutl-
full son; and in him the name of noble
John Warden was likely to be perpetual
cd But Jack Warden after attaining the
AGE of twenty-one fell in love with Julia
GRAY. Small blame to him for that, for
she was worthy to be the bride of a prince.
Love, although blind, always finds oppor-
tunities to disclose itself, and young Jack
Warden was not long in finding an oppor-
tunity to declare his passion to the beauti-
full Julia. The flame was mutual. She
was his first love. and he was hers. They
dreamed along for six months or so. and
then Jula's father found it ont. He was
rich, and Jacks parents were compara-
lively poor. lie could not countenance
such Il connection, and peremptorily
forbade Julia TO hold any further inter
course with her lover except to inform
him of her fathers commands. Like a
dutiful daughter. Julia did rs she was told
although, like Galileo, who asserted thai
the sun revolved and the world stood still
and added, 1.-The world revolves for al
that" she supplemented her declaration
not TO see him again, with the words, "
will never love anybody else but you
Jack" What could young man o
twen,y-one, with no profession and nc
money, and a young woman of nineteen
do against II rich, stern man, accustomed
to have his will obeyed; and that mar
Juia's father.
Jack went home and told his parent:
all. Just and benevolent John Warder
was grieved, and Mary Warden wept.
Forget her." said gentle Mary Warden
mt length.
Forget her, Mary!" said old Johr
Warden. while u tear glistened in her eye
Forget her, Mary, my dear; suppos'
such thing had happened when you ant
/ were courting, could | have forgotten
you?' -
"Oh, no, no, nor' cried Mary Warden
as she clasped her husbands hand. "Tha
would have been impossible"
VERY, WELL" then said brave old Johl
Warden, strengthening himself up with al
effort This matter has got 10 be me
brayely. Johns Warden's son will neve
inherit legitimately the title his father ha
worn, if lie persists in forcing his atten
tinns on young lady in opposition to thu
wishes of her father, and her WiShes."
Il won't do it. father" cried Jack
impulsively, clasping his fathers hand; :"
won't do it. Trust me, shan't speak t
her again; shan't speak to her."
Therefore," continued old John War
den, patting his sons head with one hand
while he responded to Jacks pressure witt
the other, therefore we will give Jack
holiday; we will send him away from
here for while. won't we, motherP" ant
he smiled, while the great tears role,
down his cheeks, and his generous hear
throbbed almost to bursting, at the though
of the proposed separation from the son S
dearly loved.
} "Ay, john" responded the mother, q"
YOU think that will cure him. for it Youl
, break my heart to see him grieving fror
day to day"
: So Jack left his home and his parents
and came TO Boston.
, Neither John Warden nor bis wife cor
/ templated more than temporary separt
tion from their son, in giving and secont
ing this advice; but Jack, who ha