Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-01-28
A Story for Fathers.

T.len, what do you see in Mr.. Hartman
thM peases you so much y said Mrs. Wind
sor. "You surely don't approve 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 resolved earnestly
and sincerely, believe, to listen only to the
voice of your soul-to act always with ref
erence to the highest spiritual development ;
and, as the only way to spiritual growth, to
follow Christ as your leader"
ayes, Aunty Windsor"
But are not certain associations incom-
patible with such leadership"
al think they are" said the Young girl
putting her arms around her friends neck
love you, and will let you talk with me
about Mr.. Hartman. don't approve of his
character, but he pleases me and makes me
happy when he is with me. You know
have no brother, and papa never goes out
with me. Mr.. Hartman's manners are
graceful and gentle; he dresses well he
adapts himself perfectly to my mood
ain Short" interrupts Mrs. Windsor, he
makes sunshine for you. | see how it 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 perfect gen.
tleman but he's always so busy, aud | do
get so tired moping here at home. | don't
think | should have 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 60"
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 | want
to speak to you about Ellen. The child is
in danger"
ain danger? What do you mean ?"
"Do you remember how you felt, John,
when you were young-how restless and
eager you were-how you felt yourself bud
ding all over with hopes and longings and
ndescribable sensations of outreachiug
Do you remember how dull the house seemed
evenings, aud how you wondered at the
quiet of your father and mother ?"
"Why, yes, Annie ; you have described
one period of my life perfectly"
"Not perfectly; have only limited at the
bursting life of young, vigorous soul"
"But what has this to do with Ellen
She is girl My sisters never seemed to
have much bursting life.'
"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 an
other. Now Ellen is like you; and if you
don't look out she will marry Mr.. Hart
man.
"Nonsense, Annie; she would not think
of such thing"
"No, she wouldn't think of such thing
but she will do it without thinking That's
the point | want yon to consider. Hartman
has already considered it, and is acting upon
it. He knows that Ellen is greatly his su-
perior in soul; but he hopes, by supplying
certain needs, of her young undisciplined
womanhood, to get a gradual influence over
her that will end in marriage. She is ex-
tremely fond of open air exercise, because,
by the way, she needs it. Hartman per-
ceives this, and brings two horses to the
door, and they go to ride. She likes deli
cate little lunches, and flowers, and drives ;
she likes the elegance, the suavty, the good
nature of perfect breeding; she likes to
have all her tastes studied and catered to,
delicately and sysphetically."
al see," said John Howard; eyes, yes,
see. And so the fellow is directing her
hcdiS W hih'tii, III W utT
soul You think might ride myself with
Ellen, look little into her needs, and sup
ply them. 1t isn't too late, is it 2"
"She said, only this morning, that she
would much rather have papa, if he would
only go with her,"
"Bless her heart think little horse.
back exercise would do me good, and El-
lens society would do me good, too. sup.
pose might as well have little of the
sweet, fresh young life as anybody. didn't
know that Ellen was such feather from
the old bird"
"1ow should you know, always at your
work Your work as if looking out for
your daughter wasn't your first and highest
work But can trust you to reform. You
will put on full dress, now and then, and take
Ellen into society; you will race through
the park with her, and give her chance to
compare her handsome father with the dis
sipated men who are attracted to her you
will save her from an utterly unsuitable
marriage; and by-and-by she will love
man who possesses both inward and out
ward grace, who is first good, and then
polished"
"Yes; see it all. God bless you, An.
ME And if she don't find that man, she
shan't marry at all, if her father can help it,"
-SsIecfed