Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-03-22

take the books from the snelVes hnu Iedu,
"Mr. Rowe gave this to Ellen and this to
Anna and this to Lucy"
T" How old is he Z"
"Well, he's pretty old"
Z" If there be not too much irridescent
splendor shining in my face I'm going to
wash it."
allow can you use such common express
sion Say I'm going to battle my visage."
Then we all laugh again. Once Ada did
warn us, ave must be quiet. What If any
body should hear"
"Well, they can't. There's no door except
into the hall"
II there be another Rowe.
o NAY he he come SGi and Hecer 60
"What would you say" asked Anna in a
loud whisper TO me as she turned off the gas,
" II some one like Mr.. Rowe was waiting
for Ada2"
al should say with old Simeon, Now let
thy servant depart in peace +" More smoth-
cred laughter, and finally we fall asleep.
We awake early next morning, and al
ready little ashamed of our play and ex-
citement, dress quickly and go down-three
quiet, well-behaved young ladies. Mr.. Rowe
stands at the door, but can it be the same
man we left last evening" Goodness and
suppressed dislike are written upon that
face. We say "Good morning" His head
bends slightly in acknowledgment. We
are confounded, and each, with fear and
dread of some impending evil takes her place
at the table. The others converse pleasantly.
Mr.. Rowe says nothing. The headache, that
| | vainly thought might be mentioned, is
evidently forgotten. They plan for the
day, chairs are drawn back and prayers an
nounced.
Mrs. Weston says; at is our custom to
repeat some verse Of Scripture in the morn
ing; you will please Join u.s." She is first
in order, then her daughters, and Anna next.
But Anna is always ready" Remember
now thy Creator in the days of thy youth"
| Next came Ada. She declared afterwards
that every idea passed out of her mind and
memory was turned upside down, but she
stammers, blessed are the weak, for they
shall be happy"
Mr.. Rowe turns gravely TO me. The only
verse have been able to recollect is, " Abra-
ham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob,
and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren"
but when Ada repeats hers, the right way
presents itself, and correct her by reciting
the true text. She turns upon me an indig-
nant glance. / am convulsed with laughter,
and Mr.. Rowe says, Let us pray" Soon
these words, uttered in slow and solemn
tones, strike like dagger to our hearts
"Keep us this day from idle words If we
have INDUCED them to our own hurt, let us
remember that we shall be called to render
up their account"
We do not whisper our suspicious TO each
other, not even when we are alone. At din.
ner Mr.. Rowe hardly speaks. In the even.
ing the convention was to visit night
blooming cereus. He seems obliged to offer
his services, and speaks to Ada. She says
ayes, would like to CO." Anna and 1 de-
cline. She comes down in her blue dress,
light mantle, and bonnet, and / whisper, go,
do find out what is the matter"
Mrs. Weston invited Anna and me to visit
Mr.. Rowe's study. 1t was pleasant room,
filled with books, minerals, Indian relics,
plants. She tells us about him; that he
has lived in the family since her husband
died, and has been like father to her
youngest daughter. He gives his life 10
others. "See," she said, lifting volume
Here is his favorite Tacitus. Mr.. Rowe
was engaged to the lady who presented it to
him. He says she is the only woman he ever
knew who had read the whole in the orig
inal text"
"Did she die ?" asked Anna.
"No, but the engagement was broken
This is his bedroom, you see it opens out Of
the study. He offered to give it up to you
because that door leads into your room
The bed is pushed against it now"
"But have not noticed door in our
room," venture to say, while Anna is grow
ing pale.
"No, we hung curtain, and set the arm
chair against it. Why, the door is unfast
ened. Ellen must have tried to pass through
this way"
As we return to our room, Ada came il
frowning and dripping. "I've spoiled my
clothes, and see my feet soaked
"What did Mr.. Rowe say 2" we ask, ig
noring her condition.
"Say He never spoke a word, except Il
ask if had rubbers and when we came il
said TO Mrs. Weston, I'm afraid this youn(
lady has dampened her feet :"
dwell, that isn't the worst" | begin
"For PHYS sake" interrupted Anna, de
let us whisper the rest of our lives. Ada
that curtain hides a door that leads to Mr.
Rowe's room. He must have heard ever,
word"
Ada stands thunderstruck "Girls, w
feared it all the time. What shall we do ?
"The ocean is big" | venture, as the frs
relief, "and only a stones throw. We ca
leave letter signed by all three saying W
didn't mean it,"
"Well," said Anna if he doesn't sup
pose girls ever carry on by themselves, an,
, thinks we are sinners above all others, why
, let him think So"
q But we all do care, and three quieter pei
. sons never moved about room in the day
and nights that followed.
q By degrees his GOODNESS wears away. w
can see that he is narrowly watching III
, perhaps trying to find some excuse, but "
. do not have another talk. There are pa
ties given in our honor, and a steambos
> ride down the bay. Mr.. Rowe does not a,
:. company us, but, nevertheless, we enioye
y it all, and the dinner at Martha's Vinegar,
I where Anna remarks that " Martha does NJ
raise many grapes"
So the last day comes all too soon. NJ
Z Rowe is almost himself again. We sli
away from the convention, and buy pi
a ture of Evangeline, which Ada, in the nan
, of all three, presents to Mrs. Weston. TT
y family crowd around us with cordial word
4 Mr.. Rowe waits TO accompany us TO the
a pot. AS we were walking down he says
4 Ladies, did you know had been watc
q ing you before | assigned you your place p
q Ada's eyes flashed with fun. "The be
+ children, they say, are those who are see
but not heard"
- Mr.. Rowe looks embarrassed, then h
. own laugh comes, but he makes no repl
!. 1t seems to US that now may be time (,
b some explanation, but who shall begin
. The train is near. His parting " God Bile
- you is fervent and sincere, and we sep
y rate feeling that, at least, he has truly an
!. heartily forgiven us and restored us to OF
q original place.
+ Years go by. The war has begun. Anna
/ cousin William writes home about his cha
: lain :" never met such man before. III
h soldiers say they want TO become bett
men when he is round Master of himsel
Ia he seems to have the power to master ever
a body else. His name 10 Rowe, and he com,
h from New Lincoln"
i In the months that follow, word is broug
m of the chaplain's sudden death. Singular
~ enough an old notebook falls into William
II hands. He means to burn it, but loving NJ
W Rowe so well that he is glad TO keep an
,e thing belonging to him, brings it home.
m One day Anna is looking over his de,
q and asks, "What is this :" He tells h
d and adds "Why, Anna, there is pictu
q. in it that looks Just like you" She ope
h. the book and recognizes the smiling face
a child, one that Ellen Weston showed
nj her on board the boat and said she meant
keep it for likeness of herself What
at terests her more is the date of page, h
IN very week of our visit, and she reads
Every tired tonight. On the commit