Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-12-27

By consulting the directory, and max
ing some inquiries, the residence of
Thomas Uldridge. although in another
and distant part of the city, was soon
found; aud the next thing to be done
was to determine in some way. if his
daughter, Minerva-represented by that
miniature when girl no more than
seven years old was still living. aiia9
"This boy shall not remain in my
house another day =, had been said. at
that time. by the mother of that little
girl. Had IIknoWn that he was the
child of that wretehed man. he should
never have come in the familyl But |
know everything now, he must go-or
| will shut you up in the closetl''
"Then l will give him my picture
and kiss him before he goes !" said Che
willful and determined child, thrusting
the little gold locket into the hand of
the orphan boy, and at the same time
throwing her arms around his neck.
The mother was glad to end the scene
and quiet her child by telling the boy
to take the picture and go. That was
the last home the little orphan ever had
in the city. AS for the. boot-blacks'
clearinghouse, kept by "Aunt Maggie"
as the boys called her, he had been
lodging there for several weeks before
he met Mr.. Vreeland, but the place had
never seemed to him like home.
By pursuing his investigation in
delicate and cautious way, Robert soon
learned that the young lady he desired
to find was residing with her mother,
unmarried, her father having died some
years before. Having next obtained,
through business acquaintance, an in
PRODUCTION to the pastor of the church of
which Miss Uldridge was member. he
easily procured from that gentleman an
Introductory note. stating that the bear
er, worthy and estimable gentleman,
had requested presentation to Miss
Uldridge, which afforded the writer
much pleasure to give.
Being thus brought into the presence
of the young lady, he was greeted with
the easy and refined manners of one
who felt sure the gentleman SO favora-
bly, introduced by her pastor. could not
have called on an errand that was like
ly to be unpleasant or embarrassing to
her.
A few commonplace remarks were ex-
changed, when, in answer to look that
implied a desire to learn the purpose
for which he had called, Mr.. Steadley
drew from his pocket the little encased
photograph, and passing it to the lady,
remarked that he believed she had seen
it before.
The picture was instantly recognized,
with quick and vivid remembrance of
the circumstances under which she had
parted with it.
"And can it be possible p said Miss
Uldridge, after few moments hesita-
tion, that you are the person to whom
that picture was given? And yet you
are;'' she continued. regarding him
more earnestly; them rising, and grasp.
ing his hand, she added. Il am SO glad
to see you once more p
An account of the manner in which
he had left the city then followed, also
the story of the good fortune through
which he had been passing; a part Of
which was that kind benefactor and
friend, instead of keeping him out there
on the cattle-ranche, to which he had al
first been taken, had allowed him t.
spend some five years at scientific anG
agricultural school.
After many mutual expressions of de
light at meeting once more, Mr.. Stead
ley arose, and replacing the little minia
ture in his pocket, was about to tax,
leave of the fair girl. whose earnest ant
demonstrative interposition in his be
half, in his desolate and homeless child
hood, had impressed him SO deeply
Turning upon her another earnest lool
the last he was ever to have, so ia
as he knew-he seemed to be regardin,
an open vision of beautiful dream. bu
one to which substantial and actual
reality would never be given. Extend
, ing her hand at that moment. Minerv
said
81 hope, sir, we are not meeting fo
the last time ?''
"My business engagements will,
think, require me to leave the city da
, after tomorrow, replied her visitor
, "But L would like to witness theatri
cal entertainment tomorrow evening,
| you will do me the honor to make th
selection and accept my escort
The proposal met with ready an
graceful acquiescence from Miss Ulc
ridge; and wishing her good-day, RI
, bert returned to the hotel.
| "a dispatch received to-day" sal
: the young man, on calling the nez
t evening, "gives me notice of some bus
t ness which will require ne to remain