The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-17
Temperance.
A Romance OF the Granite State---A
Strange Narrative.
BY REV. j. s. BOSWELL, A. M.

BY REV. j. s. BOSWELL, A. M.
CHAPTER v.-wILLIAM AT COLLEGE. HE |
RECEIVES FINANCIAL AID IN
MYSTERIOUS WAY.
William passed a creditable examina-
ton and entered the freshman class better |
fitted than many whose parents were
wealthy and who had kept their sons for
long time at preparatory schools. Will
lam had not been accustomed to handle
money. When Deacon Strout put into
his hands one hundred and fifty dollars,
it seemed to him a great sum. Fifty
dollars of this were in gold half-sagles.
This glittering wealth was quite dazzling
to the young student. He mentally said,
al must study hard and learn very much
in order to receive the worth of this large
sum of money" And he did study with
unwonted zeal, 80 that all his lessons were
perfect. He WAS soon regarded as the
leader of his class. The professors in the
college began to respect William for his
excellent department, as we'll as his gen
eral scholarship. William was quite an
economist in money matters, yet he had
no adequate idea of the money needed by
a student while at college. At the close
of the first term, he counted his money
and found that he had but twenty dollars
left of his one hundred and fifty dollars.
He began to think that he must have be-
come a spendthrift, but on looking over
his memoranda he could not fad any
charge there that was not wise or proper.
He said, 81 must have more money, but
how can / ever ask Deacon Strout for
more when 1 have already spent so
much ?" The thought was painful to
him. On consideration he thought it
would be best to write to Deacon Strout.
He therefore wrote to him as follows:
c., November 10, 49,.
Ded. David iStrout: My D3ar Sir-I am
sorely panied with the idea that money will
not go as far as intended, or as expected
am reluctant to write to you that | am nearly
out Of money, but such is the fact. Would it
be too much for me to ask you to remit to my
order check for $50 on Boston? Hoping that
you and your family are quite WELL
am yours sincerely,
WILLIAM FOREST.
That night our student hero dreamed
strange dream. He thought that he re-
turned to his native town and saw Charles
and John Krumm. 1t appeared in his
dream that they offered him all the money
needed for his college course at ten per
cent interest, if he would get RESPONSE
BILE person to sign the note. When he
awoke the dream seemed quite vivid. He
said, Dream though it was, think they
would readily loan me money at ten per
cent interest, if responsible man would
sign a note with me-" He had hardly
finished his morning toilet when loud
knocking was heard at the outer door. He
turned the key and opened the door, when
he beheld large, well.dressed negro
standing few feet off, holding a sealed
package in his hand. He felt strange
feeling come over him. He was hall
inclined to 60 back into his room and
quickly bolt the door. Just then the
negro spoke in pleasant tone, but with
an Unsurpassed smile on account of Will
Jams troubled look. He said, 81 an
directed to leave this package for you
Please sign a receipt for it here in this
book" William took the book and signed
his name, although it seemed dream-likt
to him. The colored man bowed anC
left, and William re-entered his room
He looked at the package. 1t was Ions
envelope, sealed with red sealing wax
He looked at the handwriting and sale
to himself, al do not know that hand
writing; neither can I conjecture whit
would send me package like this" HI
gazed upon it intently for few moments
and then tore open the SEAL To hi
establishment there fell out five twenty
dollar bank bills. There was also foun'
dainty letter which read as follows:
Mr.. William, Forest Please accept thi
of money Zone hundred dollsrs) to ali
you in your struggle for an education.
Yours p spectfully,
FRIEND.
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah |" ex
claimed William, as he arose, gesticulate'
at the books on his table, and then dances
about the room in a delirium of joy. H
first thought of expressing his gratitud
in letter to his benefactor. But tn
truth flashed upon his mind that hi
benefactor had concealed his name an
residence, thus cutting off all possibilit
of reaching him by letter. He though
that the handwriting was that of fl
male, yet it might be disguised hanC
He did not eat much break fast that morr
ing. The students said William Fores
seemed excited at the table. He sal
NO." when he must have meant Yes.
They said that he acted as if sometbin
was engrossing his whole mind. At moo
William was calm, and he ventured
ask near friend this question, "Did 20
see big colored man in our hall, {
around the buildings this morning?
Yes" said the student, al saw sta
wart fellow, black as coal, leave our ha