Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-07-20
VOL. 76.-39O1. NO. Al.

had for years. You know the family who
have moved into the cottage across the
street from ours--a man and his sister and
one little child. / never heard a person
speak so beautifully az he did. He must
live close to the kingdom. / have called
over at the house. He is one Of the most
sunny, kind-hearted men / ever saw. He
must know great deal, too. lie is 80 fond
OF children / watch him speak to the little
folks on the street, and put his hand upon
their heads, and their faces always grow
bright | don't see how ii is that the Lord
blesses some people with fine disposition.
Nothing like being born amiable. Then
you can make the best of things"
"Grace does more for us than natural gifts
sometimes" said. MIR. Mason has been
tested"
al saw you speak to him last night. You
must have known him before. lie seemed
so glad TO see you Yet thought he looked
sad for minute"
"Yes, we lived in the same town for
years"
al wish he had a wife," said Mrs. West
who was always especially interested in
peoples domestic affairs. "a man with
child needs somebody in the house more
| than a sister, somebody to see that every
thing goes right. But then, he is a rare
man. He probably wouldn't find the right
| person. You'll see good many want him ~
| was too busy TO tell Mr.. Mason's history
| even had felt inclined to do so. When |
was first married, and our own cottage
seemed to me the loveliest place on earth,
| ground was broken over against it for
house. We wondered who was TO build it;
but the owner of the lot was stranger. He
was handsome man, Of fine physique kind
to his workmen, and yet with well-bred
| air that commanded respect. There came
with him usually girl of six, and boy
perchance year younger. They were both
curly-haired, gleeful little things, who tum-
bled over the stones that lay scattered about,
chartered among the workmen, or danced
along the green grass.
The house was on high ground, expensive,
and went up slowly week by week, the ad-
miration of the whole neighborhood When
it was finished, with the taste OF refined
woman, he furnished every room in it. The
harmony of colors in fresco and upholstery,
the delicacy of drapery, were delight TO all
who saw it. By-and-by beautiful woman
came with her baby. She was as good as
she was fair to look upon. She became an
active member of the church, Joined our
literary circle, was genial as her husband,
and was as honored in public work as she
was beloved in private life. Amiable nat
urally, and schooled TO conduct her house.
hold wisely, she never seemed fretted or dis
turbed. Wealth, of course, gave her advan-
tages, but she never seemed to think whether
they had money or not.
Their home became the marked one of
the neighborhood. Instead of devoting all
his time to business, Mr. Mason would often
sit on his piazza and frolic with his chill
: dren. We all, unconsciously almost, became
interested in the happiness of that family.
J Their influence was most beneficial. MIR.
. Mason, though not perhaps particularly
, active Christian, was yet noble man, college
educated, and leader in good things.
9 One morning lady said to me, as we
= stood upon the street, There are twins at
: Mr.. Mason's house" and the next day a
carriage stopped at my door to say that
B Mrs. Mason was dead. Very lovely the
: young mother looked in her dress of light
n silk, quite covered with flowers, as she lay
d in her coffin, the lid entirely removed. A
good many persons stole away from the
room to look at the pretty twins up stairs
asleep. The mother had gone away with
d the full consciousness of what she was leav-
a ing, knowing that financial difficulties would
take all the property, and that the home
- would be sold; and her last thought was
l
Q well as cheer.
a A funeral more free from gloom l have
4 never witnessed. The children were told
that death was only going home, and the
/ long procession to the grave seemed to them
n like company taking a pleasant journey
n In two weeks both twins were in the vault
|. with their mother. The handsome home
was soon sold, and small one taken. In
20 few weeks more the curly-haired girl ant
q boy were both dead, and the only one re
1, naming was the baby who had come witt
"a its mother into the new house.
Mr.. Masons character seemed to chang,
,, at once as though he walked among celestia
Z things. His life deepened as does rive
l, when it gets near to the sea. His face tool
v. on the look of one who has conquered al
~ and is master, but has grown very humbl
10 in gaining the victory.
+ The children of the street became hi
y children. He had gone out of self and cas-
er and luxury to hard work for the bettermen
Ia Of humanity, for the winning of souls.
was no wonder that the prayer-meeting wa
10 better than it had been for years, but it wa
n not being born good-tempered that had don
it. He had been tested in the furnace of al
n. Fiction, and had come out like refined gold
:. Mrs. Westnever knew his history, and neve
'i got any nearer to his life, only to see tina
lie it was something very bright and beautiful
rt and wondered why more people were no
IA born so. Alas, so few of us are willing to bt
tested l-Christian Union.