Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-03-21
Mrs. Brevoort's Reparation.

$50, Birdie, it seems that young
Brevoort is back from Europe" +" re-
marked Captain Howard, looking up
from his newspaper and addressing a
pretty girl of nineteen, his only child
and the comfort of his old age.
$50 it seems, papa" responded Ber-
thas sweet voice, while the coarse sew
ing which she held trembled in her
grasp.
"He's to give US our fourth of July
Grafton at the town hall. I'll be bound
he speaks we'll. A promising young
fellow, eh, Birdie ?"
"Yes, papa, dare say"
"His family are proud as Lucifer-
ridiculously proud, seeing this world is
not their abiding place. But the young
ster is we'll enough, as modest, we'll
meaning, pleasant-spoken young fell
low as you'll often meet. He was sweet
on you, Birdie, year ago. Don't
whistle him back, for I don't want him
to rob my nest, even if he can put my
bird in gold cage"
"No danger, papa, DEAR" replied
Bertha, with painful blush.
cat all events, Birdie, we'll go and
listen to the precious oration with the
best of them"
The captain resumed his pipe and
paper, and soon Bertha stole softly out
to the cool veranda with her sewing.
Her home was a small house in the
old part OF the town. 1t stood back
from the road, and was almost hidden
from view by trees of magnificent
growth; otherwise the location would
have been unpleasant, for trade had
grown up all around it, and there was
no pleasant residence near. Wealth
and fashion had long since taken their
fight to other quarters. Opposite was
the old town hall, really venerable
building, rarely used now save on the
occasion Of some patriotic celebration.
The house had been purchased years
ago, when Bertha was baby; the only
one OF all her mothers babies who lived
and thrived.
Captain Howard had passed most OF
his time at sea, always looking forward
to settling down at home as soon as he
should have amassed enough wealth for
comfort. But he was unfortunate.
Shipwrecks, disastrous speculatiohs,
treachery from those in whom he had
contided, followed each other like shad-
ows and so he kept following on the
the heels of prosperity, but never
succeeded in laying the OBTAINING
grasp on her. So year after year rolled
by, and he was still at sea, coming home
occasionally.
Bertha. under the care of her su-
perior, well-educated mother, developed
into beautiful girl. Her school life
threw her with the best young people
of the place. Her intellectual superior
ity and culture commanded respect her
lovely character and extreme sweetness
ofdisposition won love. She was a prime
favorite both with her teachers and
schoolmates.
At sixteen poor Bertha lost her
mother, and Captain Howard returned
to his saddened home. Three years
father and daughter had passed togeth.
or in moderate competency.
August Brevoort had been her lover
always. She had been his little favor
ite during schooldays, and when these
ceased no one disputed with him his
claim to escort her from church and
evening meetings, or to parties and little
entertainments. Many of their young
companions regarded them "as good as
engaged" But the Brevoort family
we're intensely proud especially Au.
gusts eldest sister. Her marriage to the
scion of distinguished English family
had increased her hauteur, and made
her. more ambitious than ever for the