The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-02-06

dread lest MRS, B. (Wn0 was per-
son Of rigid propriety, and fine flow of
language) should come in unawares, and
find him in the company Of lady with
such exceedingly short petticoats But
on reflection, remembering that his
wife had been in bed for at least an hour
and a half, and was probably sound
asleep, he took courage.
"Why not ma'am ?" said Mr.. Brad
bury, passing his fingers through his
stubby hair-"why not? Because--be-
cause it's ridiculous !"
"But why is it ridiculous, Mr.. Brad
bury ?-that's the point"
"Of course it's ridiculous, Kate's too
young, for one thing. Why, it's only
the other day since the child came home
from school; and she won't be twenty
one for four months yet"
"Youth is fault that mends itself.
She'll soon get over that. What's the
next reason, sir, if you please2"
"The next reason is that young Will
son has no money, or next to none; and
very good reason it is."
$50 it is, decidedly. How much has
he got ?"
"About four hundred year from his
business, and hundred of private prop
erty, according to what he told me this
morning"
every good, Mr.. Bradbury. What is
the next reason?"
"Next, indeed think that's quite
enough, without anything else."
"You have no personal objections to
him, then. He is not dissipated, or any
thing of that sort ?"
"On the contrary, believe he is a
steady, hard.working young fellow. No;
have nothing against him in that way"
every good" said the visitor. "Now,
Benjamin Bradbury, listen to me. I've
known you ever since you were boy"
you've known me what ?" ex-
claimed Mr.. Bradbury, in amazement.
"Ever since you were boy; yes, and
good many people older than you"
"You've known me ever since was
boy Why, you're not more than"
Here Mr.. Bradbury stopped short, not
feeling sure whether sixteen or six would
be nearest the mark.
Don't interrupt, sir: we'll say ever
since you were young man, if it suit
You better; and to prove it, I'll show you
your portrait, as you we're then"
As she spoke, she touched with her
wand an old case which was lying on
the table, and which enclosed nina
| ture.
"Open 1t"
Bradbury took the case with slight
inward chuckle, knowing, as he thought,
that the portrait was that OF deceased
uncle Of his wife. However, on opening
it, he found, to his astonishment, that
Mrs. BIS uncle had disappeared, and
had given place to life-like representa-
ton of himself, forty-five years younger.
Few would have recognized the wrinkled,
grizzled Bradbury of to-day, in the curly
haired young fellow, full of life and
merriment, which the portrait represent
ed; but Bradbury did.
"Bless my soul /" said he, $50 it is |!
Pom my word, I wasn't bad-looking
fellow in those days."
And Bradbury pulled up his shirt
collar, and put his fingers through his
hair, with sort of paternal pride in his
younger self.
eyes, Benjamin Bradbury, you were
q better-looking man in those days, as
you say-and better hearted man, in
the bargain, I fancy. II you had but
one loaf, in those days, You would give
away half to any one that needed it
more"
$50 I would, said Bradbury. "What
a donkey L must have beenl But l
know better now"
"No, you don't know better now; you
hsve got hard and selfish, and you keep
oil you can get, and let the needy g.
without: but you don't know better.
Do people like you better now than
they did then, think you?"
"Dare say they don't but don't
much mind that"
"You we're poor, and now you are ricf
but are you any happier now than then
Look at the portrait again."
Bradbury looked at the image of his
former self and as he gazed, long for.
gotten memories thronged into his mind
memories Of generous impulses, eagerly
acted upon; of deeds Of boyish disinter.
estedness done by the curly-haired lad
before him--deeds that the man was fal
too prudent to do. And with a quee,
choking sensation in his throat, Brad,
bury answered.
"No; on the whole. I think-I sup.
pose-I was happier then"
"Happierl-to be sure you were" said
the sprite. "No man can violate the
laws Of his being, and enease himself in
the hard panoply of self, without paying
heavy penalty. The sympathetic thrill
awakened in the breast by the knowledge
Of another's happiness, created by our
means, is higher pleasure than any
your gold procures for you now and
that pleasure you have not known fol
years, Benjamin Bradbury"
"Come, comel" said Bradbury, "yor
do not mean to persuade me that money
isn't worth having"
81 did not sey it was not, said th'
sprite. Money is good as means, bu
/ | not as an end IL la good because twill