Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-12-19
THE BROTHERS.

No two human beings could have been
more thoroughly unlike in all physical
and mental characteristics than the twin
brothers, John and Herbert Trafton.
From babyhood to young manhood they
had not even taste in common, and the
total absence of sympathy and even toll
Grafton toward each other was SO marked
as to furnish the village where they were
born and reared with an unending sub
Ject OF conversation. At the age of six
teen Herbert left the farm, while John
stayed on and courted the girl whom
Herbert afterward married. Everything
that Herbert touched turned to money,
while all Johns attempts and snecula-
tions inevitably came to grief. Strange
ly enough there was never any open rup-
ture until Herbert took away Johns
promised wife. Then they walked calm
ly down the road together until they
came to an unfrequented spot, and then
John suddenly halted, and drawing back
his strong right arm, prepared to deal
his companion blow. But Herbert was
on the alert, and Johns arm was caught
by still stronger one and firmly held.
So you made up your mind to have
a sort of Cain and Abel affair, did you?"
Herbert inquired, showing his handsome
teeth as he spoke.
"And you made up your mind to
swindle Inc out of q wife as you have
swindled me out of comfort and every
thing else ever since l can remember, /"
John replied.
"Look here" !" and now Herbert threw
off the arm he had held with a ges-
ture which expressed all the disgust he
felt. 'Is it possible" he continued,
''that you are such craven hearted
coward as to want to marry woman
who prefers another man2n
TITS lien' said John. "You have
dazzled her with your money and your
schemes of ambition. l know you for a
liar and a thiefm
A man would have to have more pa
tience than Herbert Trafton possessed to
hear such words as those without swift
retaliation. An instant later and John
lay stunned and unconscious upon the
frozen ground, for this was Christmas
time. So Herbert had succeeded as
usual in doing what his brother had
planned to perform. In this way they
parted. Herbert, from safe distance,
watched the PROSTATE figure, and when
signs of life began to manifest themselves
he hurried away.
A few months later he married the
girl of his choice. There was no further
trouble, for John, completely cowed and
humiliated by the blow he had received,
left his home without word the places
that were once known to him knew him
no more forever.
Years slipped by, Herbert grew richer
and richer, and there seemed no shadow
upon his perfect happiness. His wife
was sensible and loving, his children
healthy and generally satisfactory.
Surely, what could trouble him? Alas
for the inconsistency of human nature,
Herbelt Trafton carried about with him,
a constant sorrow, though no one sus-
pected it.
When it became evident that his
brother was lost to him forever the love
which he had never before been con.
scious swept over him with an intensity
which distressed and appalled, him.
There came with it, too, a yearning ten.
derness and anxiety for this man who
had always been so simple and so help
less, that sometimes in the busiest mo-
ments brought moisture to his eyes
and an uncomfortable bunch to his
throat. 1t was strange fancy that in
| duced this millionaire to build house
in retired spot, many miles from his
palatial city residence, in the style of the
old homestead.
The original house had been destroyed
by fire. This new place, with the an.
cient look, was furnished as near as pos
siblc like the old one, and here Mr.
Trafton insisted that his family should
spend all their holidays. The great
brick oven was heated and filled with al
sorts of good things as in the days gone by
Mr.. Trafton's famous chef remained il
the city. No new tangled dishes were
allowed on the table and no servants tol
Grated under the roof. Mrs Trafton re
newed her long lost acquaintance witt
the kitchen, and the young ladies were
initiated into the mysteries of turkey
dressing, mince and pumpkin pies, brown
bread and Indian pudding. The boys
Herbert and John, twins, strangely
enough, both Of them in their father
counting room, and with just Al
little sympathy between them al
there had existed between their fathel
and uncle, were always present on thesc
holiday festivals. They brought tn,
water from the old-fashloned we'll, spill
the wood and kept the coal-box filled
service which was by no means con
genial to young men whose slightes
wishes had been anticipated from thei
babyhood. But their fathers will wa
absolute and never disputed.
A week previous to the Christmas o
| 1880, Herbert Trafton, Esq, and hi
family started for their country sea
as usual. Time was dealing yer
leniently with the head of tn
house, though the sadness which had s.
long occupied his heart was now some
times visible on his face. Once he ha,
| 4oII b;s ,yif,. that ha would uIndlv oit,