Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-31
Herbert's Dream.

The bells rang merrily. And why not
The old year was going, but as his totter-
ing foot passed over the threshold, on the
way to join the departed company of van
ished years, a younger step was heard. Per-
haps it was not kind so soon to forget the
old favorite whose welcome turn months be-
fore had been so joyful, who had mantled
the brown earth in spring verdure, had scat
tered flowers in wild profusion, had ripened
the fruits and filed the granaries. But he
had grown old now. His step was slow and
feeble. No more favors would be looked for
from him. Farewell, then, old monarch
You have had your day. No earthly power
can prolong your reign. The ringing of
bells and merry shouts of welcome to your
successor are heard ere yet you have laid
aside your royal insignia.
But not by all hearts was the New Years
advent so gladly looked for. Not all were
so ready to part company with the old year.
Tired and cold, little Herbert Wayne
walked languidly through the darkened
streets. Tired he might well be, for he had
been on his feet since early morning. Here,
there, and everywhere he had wandered with
his small store Of matches, his little stock in
trade upon the profits of which he had for
some months past managed to live after a
fashion. Cold, too He could not well be
otherwise, for his clothing was neither thick
nor whole, and /" through many crevice let
in the biting wind"
This day, too, had been a day of dis
couragement. Generally he had sold enough
to give him food and small sum besides,
for which, in place with which he was ac.
quainted, he could procure lodging for the
night. But to-day everybody seemed sup
piled with matches. Nobody wanted them.
It almost seemed as if the inhabitants of the
city had, by concerted movement, laid in
store of matches, so well.provided seemed
every one In the hope of finding custom
ers, Herbert had wandered to another part
of the city, but here, too, his success was as
small.
He made up his mind that he must pass
the night out of doors. 1t was hard thing
to make up his mind to. The cold was
very severe, although he was becoming less
sensitive to it on account of his growing
drowsiness. If he had been on his usual
beat there was stable where he was some
what acquainted, and where he might per-
haps have obtained shelter gratuitously.
But that was at least two miles off. and in
his present state OF fatigue and drowsiness,
it seemed scarcely possible to reach there.
Herbert cast about, therefore, for a COM
Portable place to spend the night. He es-
pied recess, forming the portal to COM
Portable looking residence, where he would
be protected from the sharp wind which
drove up and down the streets.
1t wouldn't do any harm," thought he,
"to lie down on the upper step. They
wouldn't see me, for it is late and they must
all be in."
So thinking he crept stealthily up to the
upper step, fearing to arouse any one within,
who might object to his occupation, and
placing his pile of matches under his head
for a pillow, his eyes speedily closed, and
the weary boy sank into profound sleep
a sleep so sound, by reason Of his great
fatigue, that nothing short of cannon
fred off close to his ear would probably
have been sufficient to wake him up.
He had chosen an excellent shelter. The
inclemency of the weather did not consist
iu still cold," such as cannot be lodged
or escaped, but will find its way into the
most secret hiding-places. But the wind
was sharp and piercing to all who came in
its path, and would not turn out of its way
for anyboday. So it happened that severe
as the night was as have already said,
Herbert in obtaining shelter from the wind,
found himself comparatively comfortable.
Perhaps, indeed, his position might not
have been considered very desirable by you
or me, but unhappily for our little hero past
exposure had toughened him, and so rend-
cred him less sensitive to atmospheric indu-
ences. For the same reason the hardness of
the stone couch on which he slept did not
materially interfere with the soundness of
his repose. Far enough was his case from
that of the princess who passed sleepless
night because underneath the pile of soft
beds ON which she reposed, single pea had
accidently found lodgment.
So our hero slept quietly on. But already
discovery was impending.
The house upon whose steps he was re-
clining was the residence OF wealthy mer-
chant-a man of kind heart and benevolent
impulses, who perhaps would have done
more good if he had not been SO absorbed
by business cares.
1t so happened that on this evening he
had been detained to much later hour
than usual by the arrival of ship in the
India trade which had been consigned to
him As he expected when he approached
the house no lights were to be seen in the
upper story, except the hall light, which was
still kept burning
"Well, | am glad to be so near home" he
said to himself, in the compacent tone of a
man who knew that here at least he might
look for every comfort and also a cordial
welcome. "This wind is searching-that's
fact / shouldn't want TO be out in it
much longer. However, it only lends in
creased attraction TO home. l wonder if the
children are asleep. Little rogues dare
say they will be awake early enough to-mor-
row morning to see what gift the new year
mas in store for them"
With these thoughts in his mind, Stephen
Tory reached his front steps and COM
menced ascending them.
He did not know that the upper step was
already occupied, aud came near stepping
on the PROSTATE figure of our hero. But his
eyes caught the dark outline just in time to
avoid it.
"Bless my soul What have we here ?"
he exclaimed
So saying he leaned over, and by the light
of the hall lamp which shone through the
door windows on either side the door, he
perceived that it was poor boy.
"A young vagabond," thought he and
he was about to disturb the slumbeis of our
hero in no gentle manner, and roughly bid
him begone. But humanity stepped in to
forbid this hasty step.
Perhaps he has no other place to sleep"
the merchant thought, compassionately. "If
he had he would scarcely have made choice