The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-03-13

ing, obstinate, he had marked out Ger.
tain course for his handsome, talented
boy and determined that be must carry
1t out, forgetting that the son usually
inherits most, il not all, Of his stronger
parents characteristics. Mr.. Cameron,
too, was proud; proud Of his good
Scotch descent, Of his abilities and his
position in society; and the idea of Mau.
rice taking as q wife this daughter OF O
small, unknown farmer was bitterness
indeed. 1t is true he knew nothing
whatever Of the girl, but that made nc
difference; he had made up his mind
that Maurice must marry into either the
FELTON,, Hillard or Stuyvesant families,
therefore this unheard of Sophie Litch.
field was an interloper.
Mrs. Cameron worshipped both hus-
band and son, consequently this dis
agreement-ripeniLg, as it did, into an
open rupture between the two-cost her
many tear; but against two such Stub
born natures she was powerless.
The Litchfelds were, as Mr.. Cameron
had said, poor but they were cultivat-
ed. honest, sensible people. Sophie
was the second daughter and was as
pretty, well-read, graceful a girl as any
Cameron ever wooed, and would do
honor to any position in life. Mr..
Litchfeld talked seriously with Maurice
when he heard of the quarrel between
him and his father, and finding that he
was determined to pursue his own
course, told him that a little adversely,
little genuine work would probably
make man of him, and that he would
give him Sophie more willingly now than
ever. So Basil Cameron was false
prophet.
Maurice left home, bag and baggage,
the day of the conversation above re-
corded. His father felt very curious to
know what he would do, but would not
condescend to make any inquiries or
show any interest.
A fortnight passed. Mr.. and Mrs.
Cameron were dining with the Feltons
"a quiet family dinner) one day, when
there was very fine leg of mutton on
the table.
YES, thank you, FELTON,, I will take
another slice" said MIR. Cameron "that
is the best mutton I've tasted this long
time, far better than Brooks gives us
you trade with Brooks, don't you ?"
"Ye-es, usually" answered Mr.. Eel
ton hesitatingly, while Lottie and her
mother exchanged amused glances and
twelve-year-old Susie giggled outright.
81 shall go to Brooks tomorrow and
tell him to send me just such leg as
this, continued Mr.. Cameron.
We've didn't get this of Brooks. /"
emo? Who then ?"
"Of young man who has re-opened
Evans old place." said Mr.. FELTON,
smilingly.
"Then I'll patronize him."
"You could not do better he is a
very worthy young man," said Mrs.
FELTON, her husband was too busy cary
ing to reply.
"What is his name? Is he towns
man p
~ didn't ask him. Is it true that
Latimer has failed ?" said Mr.. FELTON,.
"These good friends evidently don't
want me to deal with their butcher, but
I will, soliloquized Basil Cameron.
On his way down. town the next
morning he took pains to pass the new
butchers shop glancing over the door
way Clancy his horror y he saw spick-
and-span new sign-board with "Maurice
Basil Cameron, Jr. Butcher, Poulterer
and Fishmonger," plainly painted there
on. Young Cameron had indeed gone
to work this was the first, indeed the
only opening that presented itself, for
Nelson was steady-going town where
business rarely failed or started up very
vigorously, and chances of establishing
ones self did not occur twice in life
time.
Maurice was standing near the door
when his father approached; with his
immaculate apron and snowy shirt
sleeves glossy collar and narrow black
neck-tie he was handsome picture in
spite of his very unromantie surround
ings.
"Good morning, father" said he
cheerfully. "You see I have gone to
work; took that money I've been saving
for trip to Europe and opened this
little place. I've got Evans son with
me and he knows all about meats and
things; I'll learn after awhile. You'll
give me your"
"Great heavens Is it's it youa"
"Yes sir, I. Maurice Basil Cameron,
Jr."
think that " Junior was the bitter
est drop in the whole cup of the old
man; Ireally believe that, for a moment,
he repented naming his son after him
self. Too angry, too much astonished
to know what to say, he turned on his
heel and walked away, but he could not
escape the memory of that awful sign
board; three times that week delicate
ftraw-colored hand-bills were thrust
under his eyes by boys who were dis
tributing them through the town, and
all bore the same legend; every time he
picked up newspaper he saw Maurice's
advertisement; oil of his acquaintance
were laughing over Maurice's freak Gas
he called it), and not few men ap-
plauded the young man and blamed
him. 1t was a genuine agony.
| Then. too. he loved the boy and missed