St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-07-02
The Two Partings.

The Two Partings.
On winter evening twenty years
ago, fair young girl stood before the
glass in her own pleasant little room,
giving the last touches to her toilet.
That night was the first party of the
season, and perhaps Emma might be
excused if she fingered a little longer
than usual, smoothing once again her
dark brown hair, and adjusting the soft
folds of her beautiful dress.
"COme Emma," called her mother at
length; 81 am afraid that you forget
Mr.. B. is waiting for you"
No, Emma had not forgotten, as the
rosy blush that stole across her cheek
testified. Her last thought, as she stood
smiling at her reflection in the glass had
been, ''This is the color which he likes :;
l am sure he will be pleased"
Quickly she hurried down stairs, and
after playfully excusing her delay,
while the flush deepened at Mr.. BIS
evident admiration, turned to her moth
er, saying, Il believe 1 am ready at
lastn
"Take good cafe of yourself, dar-
ling" said the mother, as she wrapped
warm shawl around the slender form,
''and don't stay very late"
Their destination was soon reached.
and as the young man moved through
the brilliantly lighted room, many a
glance of admiration was cast at his
companion, and more than one of his
friends whispered, "James is a lucky
fellow I'd give good deal to monop-
olize Miss Emma as he doesr
The evening sped joyOusly on, and at
length toward its close refreshments
were handed around. Mr.. B. was
standing little apart from Emma, who
was the centre of a laughing group of
girls, when the lady of the house, with
a smile offered him a glass of wine.
"No, | thank you l do not drink it,
was the reply.
''Pshaw what nonsense" she re-
turned, "no one has refused it this eve
ming, and | don't intend to allow you to
be the first. Come, just one glass; it
can't hurt any one"
81 cannot do it," be answered grave
ly, "fOr | have determined never to
taste drop"
"Come here, Emma" called the lady.
81 want you to coax this obstinate
young man to take glass of wine. |
know he will not refuse yOu.n
Emma took the glass in her little
white hand, and with a smile which
few could have resisted, said, HCome,
James, you will take just this one
glass? ?"
"No, Emma," he said with a DOW
erful effort, 81 have made up my mind,
and you must not ask me to change
it.n
''Then you shall not accompany me
home tonight, Mr.. B." said En-
ma, with an angry flash of her dark
eye. "NOw take your choice.n
81 must bid you goodbye then, En-
ma, if it comes to that" he said SORROW
fully. 81 would gladly do anything
else for you, but that I cannot dor So
saying, he bowed and turned away.
"Never mind, Emma, / will see Won
home," said a young man standing
near, whose flushed face betokened that
he had taken more than one glass. "Let
him go, the ill-natured fellow
So saying, he offered his arm, which
Emma accepted, and they moved off
together.
More than ten years he'd passed
away. Mr.. B was married and es-
tablished in prosperous business, and
by degrees the incident of his parting
with Emma was almost forgotten.
One day a man with whom he had
slight acquaintance, came into his store
and asked for employment.
81 am afraid l can't give it to you,
Norris" was the answer. 81 make it
a rule never to have anyone in my en-
ployment who is intemperate."
"But mean to stop all that, Mr..
B." said the man, earnestly. 81
have made up my mind to quit drink
ing entirely. It's rather hard not to
give man a chance when he wants to
reform.n
"Well," said Mr.. B, partially re-
lenting, ~ will try you; come into the
back part of the store, and l will give
you some work"
A bundle was soon made up, with
which Norris departed. Several days
elapsed, and the work not being re-
turned, Mr.. B. sent to his residence
to ask the reason.
Alas! 1t was the same old tale of sor-
row. The husband and father had gone
on drinking froIic, leaving sick wife
and three starving children.
Mr.. BIS generous heart prompted
him to go to their relief at once. He
entered the miserable dwelling, and
found the sick woman lying in room
almost bare of furniture, while the chill
dren, sitting Oh the floor by the bed
side, were crying for bread. A few
kind words and promise of something
to eat soon dried their tears, and hast
eniDg to the grocery, he returned with.
an ample supply, which he broke among
the famishing children.
While he stood smiling at their de-
light, the mother burst into tears, and
exclaimed:
"Oh, Mr.. B, can you forgive
me 7"
"What do you mean 2" be asked in
astonishment.
"Don't you remember Emma F.?
Don't You remember my offering you
wine at the party, and your refusing it
God knows wish could forget it; but
it seems as if it were branded on my
heart in letters of fire.n
1t was some minutes before Mr.. B
could realize that the miserable crea-
ture before him was indeed the bright,