St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1880-01-16
A Story for Fathers.

| Ellen, what do you see III Mr.. Hart
man that pleases you so much ?" said
Mrs. Windsor. You surely don't ap-
prove of his character ?"
"Well, as to his character, | think he
is as good as great many Others"
'But Ellen, you wouldn't act from
such consideration You have resolv-
ed earnestly and sincerely, l believe,
to listen only to the voice of your soul
to act always with reference to the
highest spiritual development and, as
the only way to spiritual growth, to
follow Christ as your leader,D
Yes, Aunty Windsor
'But are not certain associations in
compatible with such leadership ?n
Il think they are," said the young
girl, putting her arms around her
trends neck. 81 love you, and ! will
let you talk with me about Mr.. Hart
man. L don't approve of his character,
out he pleases me, and makes me hap
py when he is with me. You know
nave no brother, and papa meyer goes
out with me. Mr.. Hartman's manners
are graceful and gentle; he dresses
well he adapts himself perfectly to my
mood"
u In Snort" interrupts Mrs. Windsor,
he maks sunshine for you. l see how
1t Is; you would just as soon have
papa, if he would take the same pains to
please you"
"a great deal rather; but he won't
take the pains. Father is delightful
when he tries to amuse me, and he's a
perfect gentleman but he's ALWAYS
busy, and | do get so tired moping here
| q hnmn | I
become so friendly with Mr.. Hartman.
if he hadn't asked me to ride with him
horseback; | couldn't resist that, and
there was no other way to CO."
81 see, | see," replied Mrs. Windsor,
and changed the subject.
"John," she said to Ellen's father, the
same day, "we're old friends, and l
want to speak to you about Ellen. The
child is in danger" t
'In danger? What do you mean ~
''Do you remember how you felt,
John, when you were young-hOw rest
less and eager you were-how you felt
yourself budding all over with hopes
and lOngings and indescribable sensa-
tiOns of outreaching ? Do you remem-
Der how dull the house seemed even
ings, and how you wondered at the
quiet of your father and mother ~
"Why, yes, Annie; you have de-
scribed one~Feriod of my life perfect
ly."
mot perfectly; have only limited
at the bursting life of young, vigorous
soul"
s'But what has this to do with Ellen Z?
She is Il girl. My sisters never seemed
to have much burStinp 1ifeD
"What nonsense for you to utter,
John Howard Isn't life life, whether
it's in a girl or boy and are all girls
alike But John, if you hadn't had
scope, there would have been trouble
of one kind or another. Now Ellen is
like you and if you don't look ont she
will marry Mr. Hartman"
Nonsense, Annie; she would not
think of such a thing"
"NO, she wouldn't think of such a
thing hut she will do it without think
ing. That's the point l want you to
consider. Hartman has already con-
sidered it, and is acting upon it. He
knows that Ellen is greatly his superior
in soul but he hopes, by supplying
certain needs of her young, undisci-
plined womanhOod, to get IA gradual
Influence over her that will end in mar
riage. She is extremely fond of open
air exercise, because, by the way, she
needs it. Hartman perceives this, and
brings two horses to the door, and they
go to ride. She likes delicate little
lunches, and flowers, and drives; she
likes the elegance, the suavity, the
good-natnre of perfect breeding; she
likes to have all her tastes studied and
catered to, delicately and sysphetical-
ly."
81 see," said John Howard eyes,
yes, L see. And so the fellow is direct
ing her heart to himself, in contradic-
ton to her soul You think l might ride
myself with Ellen, and look little into
her needs, and supply them. 1t isn't
too late, is it %
''She said, only this morning, that she
would much rather have papa, if he
would only go with herr
"Bless her heart! | think a little
horseback exercise would do me good,
and Ellen's society would do me good,
too. | suppose | might as well have
little of the sweet, fresh young life as
anybody. | didn't know that Ellen was
such a feather from the old bird" |
"How should you know, always at
your work ? Your work as if looking
out for your daughter wasn't your first
and highest work But l can trust you
to reform. You will put on full dress,
now and then, and take Ellen into So
ciety you will race through the park
with her, and give her chance to com
pare her handsome father with the dis
sipated men who are attracted to her
you will save her from an utterly un-
suitable marriage; and by and by she
will love a man who possesses both in
ward and outward grace, who is first
good, and then polished"
Eyes; | see it all. God bless you,
Annie And if she don't find that man,
she shan't marry at all, if her father can
help it."-MrS. N. b. Butts in Earnest
Worker.