Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-12
DIR. MOultOn's Mother.

The clock on the mantel had Just chlmed
one short, musical stroke. Through the
half closed blinds shone the silvery light |
of the fast-waning moon the candle had |
burned low in its socket; the log of wood |
had converted itself to ashes; but of all |
this, Doctor Bernard Moulton saw or heard |
nothing, as he sat in his ofHce-chair, lost in |
thought. If the moon had hidden the
world goodnight, if the candies feeble ex-
istence had entirely ceased, and even the
red glow of ashes in the crate had died
away, he would still have seen only the
picture of the woman's face whom he
loved.
1t was with him now as it had been with
him for hours past since the moment he
had placed his fate in Violet Fane's keeping,
and she had accepted it. No wonder that it
all seemed new and strange TO him-that he
was needless of time and space. She was
such delicate, high-born lady, and he-ah,
another vision came before him now. Not
the cheerful office with its luxurious appoint
ments-he might at least offer Violet home
worthy of her-but the memory of the days
when he had run, little, barefooted lad,
about his mothers cottage, and the toiling
for her only child had earned one by one the
dollars which had sent him first to the vii
lage school, and then to the great city, to
learn the profession for which he longed.
He had succeeded well and bravely, beyond
his most ambitious hopes; but the mother
who had toiled for him, where was she
Why was it that her old, wrinkled face
drove even Violet Fane's beauty from him ?
True, he had no longer allowed her to
work true, she sat at ease in her little cot
tage, thinking of and praying for her boy,
who was so good and generous to her, but
was it his fault that that his patients were
so many, and his hours SO precious, that he
could find no time to gladden. her old heart
by glimpse of him now and then 7
And now-now that he thought of Violet
as his wife-Violet with her high-bred ways
Violet, whose every association was in
such a widely different sphere-could it be
that he was ashamed of his mother
The candle died out entirely the wood
was white ashes now; the moon had sunk
to rest, the clock chimed two; but red-hot
flush burned on Doctor Moulton's cheek, as
he rose to find his way up to his room
and bed, and perhaps forgetfulness in sleep.
For three long hours he sought the boon
in vain, and when at last it came to him,
and his tired eyes closed, how could he but
dream of those other eyes just awakening in
the far-otf home, which somehow tonight
had so persistently haunted his thoughts :?
In the little cottage all was hustle, for
Mrs. Moulton had determined to give her
boy surprise, and the train for London
started very early.
London 1t lay ten long hours away. 1t
would be almost nightfall when she arrived.
| How glad Bernard would be to see her He
had never proposed her coming, because he
had thought she would not find the courage
as though for his sake she would not do or
dare anything.
She was sorry now she had not had the
village dressmaker make up the black silk
he had sent her, but it looked so grand, in
its lustrous folds, that it seemed pity to
touch it with the scissors, and she would
seem more natural like to Bernard in her
stuff dress.
How often she had pictured him in his
lonely home. She hoped he might be out
when she arrived, that she might take off
her bonnet, and, slipping on her white cap,
let him find her, with her knitting in hand,
quietly seated by the fireside, waiting his
| return.
All the way in the train, when at last she
had got started on her journey, she could
hardly keep her happy thoughts to herself ;
and more than one glanced at the smiling
old face, with something tugging at their
heart-strings which almost brought mois-
ture into their eyes.
| 1t was quite nightfall when the city was
reached. There had been some slight de-
lay on the road, and the old lady felt sink
ing at the brave heart which had prompted
her mission. However, she succeeded in
| finding cabman willing to take her to the
address she held in her hand
at must be mistake or he has brought
me to to the wrong place. Oh, dear, what
shall | do ?" she sighed, as he drew rein
before large, handsome house, presenting
a well-lighted front, in one of the most aris-
tocratic portions of Mayfair.
But cabby reassured her, and she soon
found herself, surrounded by boxes and
bundles, facing the formidable gentleman "
who opened the door.
Save for a suspicious shortness of a GER
tain portion of his attire which reached
only to his knees, where they were met by
stiff leather leggins, the worthy woman
would have dropped him courtesy.
"Past the doctors office hours, ma am" /"
he said in response to her feeble appeal.
It's as much as my place is worth to take
in your card"
6But have no card He'll see me. I'm
I'm"
| But she did not finish the sentence--only
stepped inside the door, and stood under the
full glare of the light of the hall lamp.
The man looked askance at the singular
apparition. Her hat was crushed and bent,
her dress bore evidence of the dust of travel
and in her hand was a huge band-box, con-
tanning the hat which was to astonish the
Londoners.
Indeed, ma'am-" the man began, but
the old lady walked steadily on to the door,
beneath whose threshold she deserted a
stream of light.
The hot flush had by this time burned
out of DIR. Moulton's cheek. The mornings
dawn had dissipated the foolish fancies of
the night. His duties for the day were over,
and he was free to seek Violet, whose won
derful eyes would light up as he entered,
and whose lips would perhaps brush his
cheeks with their velvety caresses.
He sprang to his feet TO seek her, when
the door softly opened, and turning he saw
could it be a dream, ccnjured up by his
restless fancies of the night before-his
mother Close behind was the wholly-won-
dering, halfapologetic face of his butler. 1t
took him full minute to realize it was no
dream and then (honor to his manhood) a
sudden, overwhelming tenderness swept away
all else, and with glad cry of "Mother D
he clasped her to his heart.
When she had grown calmer and more at
rest, beginning to look around and wonder
oul "A a littla faalinr ~ irrtt afin,, ha