The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-09

to madness. And vet he was flower
ist,' as John terms him, and the associa-
tion of such temper with flowers was an
anomaly. He found q small market for
his flowers in town, and made no talk
with any one except to enquire the prices
of the articles on which he lived. About
ten years ago.
"Twelve," John interjected.
"Well then, twelve years ago, little
Harry Morrison of Aylesbury was brought
home one evening by this man Burly, in
helpless condition, who surlily told the
boys parents that he had found the little
fellow in the road near his place, and that
he had probably fallen from wagon and
hurt himself. A physician of the place
accompanied the boy, and said he had
been called to him by Burley, at his house,
where he had been carried. At first he
was unconscious, and, upon being re-
stored, gave his name and stated that he
had got hurt by falling from wagon
upon which he was trying to ride. There
was no mark upon him that seemed to
indicate personal violence, and upon ques-
tioning the boy he repeated the same
story. His spine was found to be injured
and he became confirmed invalid, sub
iect for public pity as he sat by window
from morning till night, looking out
cheerfully upon activity he was not per-
mitted to enjoy. Everybody loved the
little cripple"
GIVE seen him thousand times" said
John !; get along, will you ?"-this last
to the horse, not Tasker.
"Then a strange thing occurred"
Tasker continued. "When the boy be-
came we'll enough to receive visitors, the
first one he sent for to come and see him
was this surly Burly, who came with a
scowl and growl, demanding why he was
sent for. They conducted him to the
boys room, who requested that they
should be left together. A long interview
ensued, and when the man retired he
seemed to be gentler, passing out with a
he had entered. And many such inter-
views occurred from time to time, and,
each time the visitor brought flowers with
him, which found their place in a vase
beside the window where the boy sat.
These visits seemed to give him the
greatest delight. The heretofore rough
man seemed to be changed throughout,
and towards all he manifested a softened
spirit. The mystery grew and none could
fathom it. The boy would not tell, but
turned off inquiry with a little laugh,
saying that it was all right and that it
would be cleared up in good time"
"That's so," said John, sententiously,
"After year or two," resumed Tas
ker, "the little form disappeared from
the window, and it was given out that the
boy was sick, next day that he was
worse, and 80 on, until it was announced
that he had passed away; and among
those who attended upon him most closely
at his own request, was Burly. He sat
by his bedside, the boys hand in his
when the little fellow passed away, his
last look upon the rough old face. At the
funeral Burly came with a big cross Of
white flowers, with the inscription-well
hardly remember what, but it was
something about bargain"
ellis by Purchase" said John.
"Right, John how we'll you remember
His by Purchase, that was it, and wher
the services were concluded, to the sur
prise of everybody, Burly arose and asked
permission to say a few words. In
rough way, and with signs of deep emo
ton, he told the story of the strange con
nection between him and the dead boy
He had been the cause of the acciden
which had caused his death. He hat
struck at him with his whip, as the littl
fellow had playfully got upon the rear emf
of the wagon he was driving at the time
avoiding which he had fallen to tn
ground, with the result known. The DO,
sent for him, forgave the offense, with
held information that might have led T.
his injury, and entreated him to live
worthier life. This had touched his bet
ter nature, and he had made compac
with the little sufferer to turn over a ney
leaf and be somebody. This he had done
and hoped that he had, through divin
grace and the influence of this the onl
friend he had in the wide world, obtaine
pardon for his many sins. He felt tina
, the boy had given his life for him, an
, that was the meaning of the inscription
upon the cross. He left the house, an
the minister then remarked upon the il
:, auence for good that even one could exer
and made grand close regarding th
example of little Harry Morrison"
"You've told it very WE'LL" said Johr
shut some points l could have given "
> / think"
. "Well, no matter, john" replied Ia
ker, "here we are at the station. An
now goodbye, and when we return "
will again 60 see the old fiowerist.'
= All, that influence of good Do "
not see its power every day, where, as
this case, noiselessly it operates to elevat
> and bless ?-B. p. Shilaber, in Congreg
= tionalist.