The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-08-20
Temperance.
A Romance OF the Granite State.-.A
Strange Narrative.

BY REV. j. g. coGswELL, A. NJ.
CHAPTER 1.-THE ELSMoRE COTTAGE
AND ITS OCCUPANTS.
The hillside farms of the Granite State
are unique. Many, msyhap most of them,
are stony and rough. Farmers can, by
dint of good husbandry, exc out good
living if they engage in some other bust
ness for the winter months-in lumber
and wood, or shoe-making.
The farm known as the "Colonel Els
more estate +" was far different from many
in the hill-country of New Hampshire.
It's location was sunny, and the soil was
rich and productive. The farm cottage
commanded magnificent view of most
beautiful portion of the state which has
Justly been called the Switzerland of
America" One does not wonder to find
tourists and visitors from all quarters
eager to spend the summer and autumn
months here, drinking in health from the
pure air of these lofty hills, and amid
such picturesque scenery. At the time
when our narrative opens you would have
found six persons occupying the Elsmore
cottage-the father and mother, with four
children. The father is of medium height,
his frame well.knit, and his high and
well-molded forehead and erect bearing
at once convinces you that he is man OF
superior intellect. The mother is tall,
with splendid physique and winsome man.
ners. Lis ten She is now reading aloud
to her family and to several neighbors,
who know and appreciate her mental
powers and acquired abilities. How
charming is her voice She reads 60 well
that all who have gathered around her
readily understand the meaning of the
author. AS we draw nearer, we find that
she is reading from Paradise Lost. She
reads this "Be strong, live happy,
and love, but first of all, him whom to
love is TO obey, and keep his great COM
mand take heed lest passion sway thy
Judgment to do aught which else free will
would not admit; thine and of all thy
sons the veal or woe in thee is placed /;
beware. l in thy Iersevering shall rejoice,
and all the best Stand fast to stand
or fall free in thine own arbitrement
it lies"
Mrs. Forest closes the book and makes
few remarks on the style of Millions
writings. Then the neighbors, arising to
60, first thank her for her kindness, and,
one by one, leave for their homes.
But here come the children from school
Eva, Annette, Ellen and William. They
look rosy and full of health as heart could
wish. They come in with mirthful noise
and begin capering about the sitting-room.
This calls forth gentle Gliding from their
mother. They pause for time, saying
"We'll be real good if you will give us
our supper" The genial mother arises
and goes to the kitchen to prepare the
supper. William goes to the assistance of
his father, who is at the barn.
Soon the gathering shades of night set.
tie down around Elsmore cottage. The
open fire place is pouring out its food Of
light and warmth. The mother is near a
light-ltsnd, wherein is book open, SO
that she can, while knitting, keep the
thread of her story. Mr.. Forest is talking
with Mr.. Kimball, an old soldier, who has
come in to tell over by-gone scenes, and
especially to partake of Mr.. Forests cider,
which Mr.. Kimball greatly admires. The
children psrch corn and the girls make
necklaces of the white kernels. Will.
lam tries to make model Of the Ca
thedral Rheems out of corn-cobs. AS he
builds, as best he can with such material
he feels an inward desire that some day
he may become an architect himself and
build beautiful buildings. Thus, all being
engaged much to their own tastes, the
evening passes quickly, and all feel sur
prised when the clock strikes nine. Al
the melodious notes cease Mr.. Kimbal
arises to go, with the expression, Hit
will think that she has lost me-" "Hit.'
had reference to his wife, whose giver
name was Mehitable. The soldier goel
away to his home, and the occupant,
of E!smore cottage prepare for rest ant
sleep.
The only son of Mr.. Forest was, some
what naturally, the pride of the family
William was large, tall and muscular
He was an apt scholar and was highly es
teemed by his teachers. The old storie
of travel, such as Lewis aud Clark
Travels, Colonel Riley's, Mungo Parks
ETC., were his especial delight whei
he had arrived at ten years of age BE
sides these, he had essayed to read tn
Federalist, Addisons Spectator, Ossian'
Poems, Thsddeus of Warsaw and tn
Scottish Chiefs. The Bible was read, no
only in school but every evening, b.
young William. The good DR.. Parish
who was man of God, was accustome,
to call at Mr. Forests house, not only t.
speak of religion, but also to encourag
William to go on Ia his reading and, i
possible, obtain liberal education.
The thought of college training wa
=. IL 3. Al.