The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-05-28
FlOssy's Success.
IN TWO PARTs-PART I.

Come, hal, Wnat are you mOplnR
around here for p
"I'm not moping, Frank; Pm playing
The Last Rose of Summer
And Hal clasped his violin still closer,
as with loving touch he drew out the
plaintive strains of the sweet old song
"Well," retorted Frank, wholly I'M
moved, "I'm glad that it's the last rose.
Do hurry up, Hal
"Where are you going? ?"
"Why, down to Wilson's, of course"
"Oh, Frank, l wish you wouldn't 60
there"
"Why not 2"
Because don't believe mother would
like it, if she knew what kind of place
it is. Besides, Frank, / don't think it is
right for us to spend our evenings in a
saloon"
"Nonsense Who ever thought of
calling it saloon before-Wilson's fash
ionable rooms ?"
"But, Frank, he has wine, and billiards,
and cards."
"Well, lots of private families have
wine, and billiards, and cards."
"That makes neither the practice nor
thefamilies any BETTER" Hal retorted, with
more than usual warmth.
"Why, what has got into you, Hal ?
You have spent more than one evening
at Wilson'S"
"True," was the quiet reply, there.
fore | know whereof speak. Oh, Frank,
don't let's 60 out tonight Flossy will
give us some music, and we can have a
real cosy, pleasant, home evening"
"You're mistaken there, old boy. II
will be many day before you get any
music from Flossy. Have you forgotten
that prize essay she is writing? Bet
she will get the prize, too. But it will
take all her spare time this term, and next
term she will have her graduation essay
to write"
Hal sighed. He was disappointed, and
his naturally refined, delicate nature
shrank from the very questionable pleas.
ures at Wilson's.
But Frank, though four years younger
than Hal, was the leader, and used to
having his own way. He was bright
generous-hearted and jolly; general
favorite among the young people, but viii
full and headstrong withal, so that Hal
dreaded combat with him.
Still he made one more feeble attempt
Surely, Frank, we can find something
laugh, "if nothing better offers, I car
play The Last Rose of Summer ovel
again, and you may sing it."
"Thank you," Frank answered, dryly
adding, " if it is music you want, Wilson,
is just the place for you. Mcdowell il
going to give some violin solos tonight"
That settled the question, for Hal wa
passionately fond of music, and Mcdowell
was very fine musician, though littl,
else could be said in his favor.
So Hal, as he slowly replaced his violil
in its case, his conscience still troubling
him, said, half to himself, half to Frank
"Well, suppose l might go a littl
while to hear the music, and come hom
early"
So, arm in arm, the two brothers starte,
off. The door closed behind them, an,
the house grew still, with an almost death
like stiffness.
Mr.. Clsymore was in the library
wrapped in the inevitable business. Hi
wife, with troubled face, was looking in
tently at the pages of an uncut magazine
and Flossy, in her "snuggery, as sh
called her pretty, cosy room, was who'll,
absorbed in her essay.
Nor was this an exceptional evening. Tn
children had been taught from earlies
infancy "not to disturb papa when he i
busy" and alas he generally was bus
in the evening. And his wife, as in dut,
bound, kept her husband company when
ever she could.
This, of itself, was a perfect :" lion i
the path toward home socially.
And then Flossy was very apt to be 81
gagged in her room. Now, it was an essa
that took up her time and attention bu
there had been other things before. Sh
did not mean to be selfish, and she love
her brothers dearly; but they had neve
even limited that they wanted her con