Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-25

salary If she only had talent enough, now,
to become an artist, like Frank Derby
She remembered how, in her school-days,
she had been the favorite pupil Of old Derby,
the drawing-master. The other girls had
laughed at her sometimes for her courtesy
and attention to the old man who had been
shabby in his dress and reserved in manner.
They laughed still more when, on Saturday
afternoons, Mercy spent her leisure hours in
going to the drawing-master's home, and
ministering to his young daughter, who was
dying Of consumption. There was a son in
that home, seven or eight years older than
Mercy who regarded the kind-hearted
schoolgirl as somebody very little lower
thst the angels. Well, the daughter died (;
Mercy left school, and then came Lydia's
marriage, closely followed by the change in
Mr.. Varleighs circumstances. Of late years,
Mercy, in her teacher-life, had heard and
read Of one Frank Derby, who was fast be-
coming famous artist, and wondered If he
could really be the old drawing-master's son.
1t was cold and dark In the little chamber,
so Mercy lockedu her money, left her dreams
and went downstairs TO tea and the duties
of life. Her father had been reading Mr.
Powell's letter again, and was hopeful about
the result OF the morrow's journey. Her
mothers face frightened when Mercy seat
ing herself at the table, declared that she
believed something good was in store for
them all.
The journey to the city was not very
pleasant one. The travellers rose and dressed
in the darkness of winter morning, and
started before the day had fairly dawned.
But when at last the sun came up there
was such sparkle on frosty fields and frozen
a. Al I Il.
enioyed herself. Still. it was with be-
numbed fingers and srnartiug feet that the
pair aliphted in the city at last.
"Mr. Powell told me he was to be found
at his place of business" said Mr.. Varleigh.
"You have never seen his store; he is one
of the largest merchants here"
They found Mr.. Powell in well-furnished
paror at the back of his palace of plate
glass. Mercy's heart was too full of anxiety
lust then to be moved to covetousness al
the sight of elegant winter costumes and
fur Jackets that would have cost more than
whole years salary. The merchant re-
ceived them very kindly, and looked at
Mercy with fatherly interest, which was
heightened, perhaps, by the plainness OF her
dress. She was too sensible a woman not
to feel that cheap finery is poor substitute
for rich materials, but she took an honest
feminine pride in looking her best. Mr.
Powell concluded his business in short
time. After few questions and answers
he agreed to engage Mr. Varleigh as a clerk
in his establishment, and the salary he
offered was better than Mercy's father had
received from his former employer.
In all the land there were not, perhaps
two pladder hearts than the pair that had
been so heavy in the early morning. Then
too Mr.. Powell had told Mercy that he
thoupbt he could get her the post of daily
poyerness in the family of his married
daughter, SO that her cup of happiness was
full indeed. She was wont to say, long
afterwards. that light hearts make careless
feet. The wide pavement was little slip
pery that dav, and Mercy, taking small heed
of her steps, suddenly measured her length
on the stones.
Poor Mr.. Varleigh uttered cry of alarm
hut before he could offer his aid. his daughter
was raised by stronger arm than his. She
stood M blnshinr and confused, to meet the
gaze of pair of handsome familiar eyes
whose steady look still further discon
certed her.
81 hope YOUR are not hurt" said ia
miliar voice.
"Not in the least. thank you," she an
swered hastily brushing the skirt of he
mucb.enduring serge gown.
II can't be mistaken said the voic,
again. " 1t surely is Miss Varleighl"
| "Yes and YOU are Mr.. Frank Derby,
| she responded brightly blushing. "Oh, hoy
strange that we should meet in this way
Mr.. Derby-my father
Mr.. Varleigh had never heard of MI
| Derby in his life, but he was in that happ
mood which renders a man cordial to every
body. The three walked along as natural
as ii they had been in the habit OF meetiu
every day.
II knew you at once" said Frank Derb
to Mercy: you are very little altered"
Now, it is pleasant to a woman who is o
the wrong side of five-and.twenty to be tol
that she looks much the same as she did a
seventeen. And poor Mercy, who had ha
her full share of the wear and tear of lif
was ouite comforted and heartened by ths
little sneech.
Sand YOU are a great artist now, are yo
not 2" she asked simply.
"Well. I believe I'm getting up til
worlds ladder" he answered, smiling. "Br
climbing is hard work"
" And vour father ?" she uuestione
timidlv.
"T6e dear old man is at rest, Miss Va
leigh. He lived long enough, however, I
see INV early difficulties all conquered. II
never FORGOT Won and your kindness to OF
moor Alice"
As Frank said this his firm voice tremble
a little. Success had neither hardened h
heart nor made him anxious to forget h
humber davs. And then. in A few word
Mercy told him of the changes that she ha
known. and of their plans for the future.
$50 Won are coming to live here" he sal
in a clad tone. "Yo1 will let me have vol
address Miss Varleigh. hope. and allo
me IN call upon vou."
she rave the reouired promise. and tn,
} narted !: Mercy going back to her home in
r nIeasant state of excitement which was vel
, unnsnal in her ouiet life. IL was n hapI
7 little marty thai gathered round Mr.. va
| laiph's humble table that night. and ii
. mofher could not helm remarking that Il
l daughter looked ALI the fresher for the lou
= new So ight was the girls heart when 81
7 retired to rest that She law awake for We
+ thankfulness and ioy. But Mrs. Hardy,
p her luxurious house' was restless and irr
/ able. tormented by the sting of neglect
dnty There was still enongh good left
Ivdia to make her dissatisfied With herse
), The married daughter shed many tea
e when her parents and sister took leave
!, her She had no parting pift for Mere
5 but Mercy was no longer in need of her Al
l. Mr.. Powell had sent his rodchild a Chri
6 mas present of TWENTY-FIVE dollars and
d MARCEL containing seal skin iacket and Gle
l.,,h % ,,aIto a faeh;onahla drass