The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-12-05

thought him insane. Yet such is the case.
am faint for want of food. L"
"Bless my hearth" l interrupted, ex-
citedly, pulling the bellrops at a rate that
brought my aged domestic to the study at
breakneck speed. ELLEN, what have
you in the house already cooked 2"
"Faitb, sir," she gasped, I've jint O.
beef and a dish O. cold pertat'es, and that
is ALL"
every we'll. Spread the table and put
on the beef, and warm up the potatoes in
some way as quickly as possible. And
and make some coffee, too" l shouted
after her as she disappeared.
then turned TO my visitor and directed
him to sit down and warm himself, while
measured him out dose of soothing
cordial. When he had satisfied bis him.
ger at the abundant supply of food which
Ellen set before him, and was again
seated in the study, he, in response to
my inquiries as to why he had never
made himself more at home in the parish,
proceeded to give me an account of his life.
at is proper" he began, "that should
first say that nv true name is Leslie
Barton, and not William Sharpe. Twenty
five years ago this last July, received
my degree of B. A. at Harvard Univer-
sity. Three long years of intense appli-
cation to study, and steady self-denial
from all recreations except such as we're
absolutely necessary to keep my brain
clear, had effectually undermined my
health. The result was that stood be.
fore my father, who had come up to COM
mencement, physical wreck, holding in
my hand the sheet of parchment for
which had paid so dearly. The old
gentleman Immediately decided that |
must have a complete change of air. He
would travel with me for a year or 30
through the mountainous regions of the
great West One would certainly think
that after an absence of three years from
home, during which time had made but
very brief stays there, l would have been
delighted beyond measure at the prospect
of such an opportunity of enjoying the
society of father who had loved me bet
ter than life itself. But, alas an evil
spirit had already entered nv mind, and
prejudiced me against it. One of my
classmates, who had an uncle living in
England, was about spending few
months with him at his country-seat, and
invited me and two young men who we're
decidedly fast to accompany him.
was at first averse to going, but he painted
such glowing pictures of the glorious
fishing and shooting should enjoy, and
the rare chances should have of visiting
those historic spots made familiar to me
in my studies, that by the time father
made his proposal 1 was fairly fired with
an intense desire to 20 with my class
mates. When mentioned it to him he
at first refused his consent. He did not
relish the idea of my going 30 far from
home with three young men of anything
but sedate habits. Il was, in fact be
| said, nothing more than mere school.
boy, with no experience of the world and
its ways, and therefore certainly needed
a strong guiding hand to point out to me
its SHARES and pitfalls l answered him
with that same argument which has been
presented by so many young men before
and since then: How was ever to be
able to reeist these temptations if 1 WAS
never to be brought in contact with them
| Certainly must at some time learn to
| depend upon my own sense of right and
wrong, and why not now? At last, after
repeated urgings on my part, he very re-.
luctantly gave his consent. went, and
thanks to the restraining grace Of God, I
WAS enabled to comport myself with such
discretion, that on the voyage home l
congratulated myself upon having thus
demonstrated the groundlessness of faith
er'e fears. But, unfortunately, | had built
nv tower of self.esteem without first
counting the cost. On the day of our ar
rival in New York bay, we spent our last
hours on the steamer talking and ex-
changing promises of long visits to be
made at each others homes. Up to this
time had steadily refused to touch a
glass of wine out of difference to my
fathers opinions, which were very de-
cided on the subject of temperance, but
now | thought it could not be 80 very
wrong to drink the healths of my late
companions as we were separating after
80 pleasant season spent in each others
company. did so, and the fumes of the
strong wine, TO which l was unaccus.
toned, rose to my brain, and l was car.
ried into my fathers house, Just twenty.
five years ago this Christmas eve coming,
in state of helpless intoxicstion. You
can imagine his feelings at seeing his only
and dearly loved son, on whom he had
lavished all his wealth of affection
stretched out in such a condition in the
room which, but six months before, that
same son had left pure, bright youth
The next morning, burdened as l was
with an overwhelming shame at my dis
grace, l naturally had no appetite for
breakfast Therefore when the butler
handed me a note from father asking my
attendance in the library at my earliest
convenience, decided 10 60 at once, and
thus to pass through the ordeal which
knew awaited me, with as little delay as
possible. When l entered the room he
was standing, pale and hsggard, with his
back to the fire. The sight of his stern,
cold face, convinced me that bad to deal
with serious matter. After moments
silence, during which I stood confusedly
toying with the paper-knife which lay on
the table, he addressed me in dry, cold
voice, which sent chill to my very heart
| al presume, Mr.. Barton said he,
that you are perfectly Satisfied with your
experiment of acting upon your own sense
of right and wrong, or, in other words, Of
conducting your own affairs p
"Well, father l replied, Il do con.
slider that / succeeded during my stay
in England in acting with as great pro.
priety as would have done had you been
constantly at my side, but
"But,' he interrupted, however sue.