Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-01-12
VOL. 76.-3S74. NO. II.

for her at home2 Here she would be CON
strained, unnatural. And Violet He could
picture the astonished look which would
creep into her eyes when he said 10 her,
"This is my mother;" nay, more, the
naughty curve which would gather about
her mouth, 80 rich and ripe and sweet. So
the question at his heart found words, and
he scarcely himself knew the innate irrita-
| tion they betrayed.
"Mother, why did you not let me know
| you were coming 2"
| al meant TO surprise you, my boy" she
answered, fondly. "Can IL be that have
done wrong2"
| "No, no." he hastily replied. "Come,
you must eat and go to bed. You need a
| rest"
But long after he had bidden her good
night, he sat and thought.
His mother had come to make her home
with him. This was clear. II he told her
he willed it otherwise, she would obey him.
For time he planned it OUTFLOW he
would tell her the city life was not adapted
to her needs and then Violet need never
know Of the plain, humble, little woman
who had not shamed to toll with her own
hands that his might be the hands Of gen
tleman.
Oh, shame on him Could he ever wash
them clean, even of the thought No, Violet
should know the truth He could bear the
scorn now in her eyes and in her voice, as
she would question him how he dared look
up to her, but his mother should share his
home and heart to the end.
1t was too late now to visit Violet tonight,
but he went upstairs, and, softly turning
the knob Of the door of the room where
his mother slept, he noiselessly approached
the bed, ard, bending down, touched his
-. ba oil xvtfl a
ertly. ~.
She started up, with glad sob of Joy.
"My boy my boy who l thought was
not glad to see his mother"
He quieted her at last, wondering why
his own heart felt so light, and she fell
asleep with his hand tightly clasped in hers.
you did not come last night" said his
betrothed, when next morning he sought her
presence.
"No, Violet" he answered, "but / am
d come to-day to tell you how unworthy l am
,e of your love. Last night my mother came
IT to me. Nay, do not start it was no visitant
d from the spirit-land, but an actual reality.
ID have never told you of my mother. Think
N of it-a man so blessed and yet dumb All
d her life she toiled with poverty-for whose
in sake, think you Her sons, that she might
le make of him gentleman. God prospered
K him, and enabled him to take all the burden
ne from her old shoulders, and so he thought
ID he had done his duty. He fed the body, but
he he let her heart starve. Last night in the
be desperation of her hunger, she sought me
out. For moment-oh, bitter humilia
tn tion my pride rebelled. Think of ii
he Violet-that cruel, unnatural pride which
10. would bring into mans cheek a blush fo
It the woman who bore him. l thought O
he you, with your pretty, dainty ways, side b,
| oiJ Ja NTH har r,laiD and hOn1alu
III. knew the two never could be reconciled, anC
lot so, Violet, l have come to ask you to forgiv
Mt and forget me. My heart, my home, are m,
ne mothers henceforth and forever"
.ys Had the man some lingering hope that tn
,d girl before him would refuse the sacrifice
no Certainly an added look of suffering grey
he into his eyes as she answered nothing, onl
,il- laid her hand in his moment, as if in far,
to well.
His visits seemed very long, very wear.
nd all that day; but, as he crossed the HON
ler threshold at nightfall, he smoothed the frow
g q? from his brow as he remarked
ace "She must suspect nothing"
n? He would find her, he knew, in his stud
to As he softly opened the door, he anticipate
,ot- her glad cryof "My boy,' as she trembling
oy, rose to greet him. but, ah, he had not anti
,ut ipated the picture which met his gaze.
ere His mother was sitting, indeed, in th
he armchair by the fire, but at her feet, he
art head resting in her lap, while the old finger
caressingly stroked the luxuriant chestnu
let hair, was another figure, which rose instea
Tvs to welcome him.
in "Bernard,'" the sweet voice whispered
be his ear, lost my mother when l was
baby. 1t has been so sweet to find one agail
,od You said, henceforth your home and hea
nix were hers. Oh, my love, may we not shai
not the boon p