The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-12-19
TIE BROTHERS.

No two human beings could have been
more thoroughly unlike in all physical
and mental characteristics tnan 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 uncnding sub
jeCt Of conversation. At the age of six
teen Herbert left the farm, while John
stayed on and Courted the girl whom
Herbert aGterward married. Everything
that Herbert touched turned to money,
while all Johns attempts and spccula-
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 unfrequentcd 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
. sort of Cain and Abel affair did YOU"
Herbert inquired, showing his handsome
teeth as he spoke.
''And you made up your mind to
swindlc me out of a wife as You have
sWindled me out of comfort and every
thing else ever since | 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 u craven hearted
coward as to want to marry a woman
who prefers another man."
cts lie.' said John. "You have
dazzled her with your money and your
schemes Of ambition. / know you for a
liar and a thief"
4 man would have to have more pa
thence 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 Il safe distance,
watched the PROSTATE figure, and when
signs Of life began TO manifest Themselves
he hurried away.
\ few months later he married the
girl of his choice. There was no further
trouble, for John, completely cowed and
Inundated by the blow he had received,
left his home without worG-thc 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,
Herbert Trafton carried about with him
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, ycarning ten
derncss and anxiety for this man who
had always been 50 simple and so help
less, that sometimes in the busiest mo
mcnts brought a moisture to his ewes
and an uncomfortable bunch to hi
throat. 1t was strange fancy that in
NNNtAl lI4lS llllllOuQlIt " pNIlN lOuSl
in a retired spot many miles from hi
palatal city residence, in the style Of tn
old homestead.
The original house had been destroyed
by fire. This new place, with the an
cicnt look, was furnished as near as pos
sblc like the old one, and here Mr.
Tralton insisted that his family shoul,
spend all their holidays The grea
brick oven was heated and filed with al
sorts of good things as in the days gone by
Mr.. Traftons famous chef remained i
the city. No new tangled dishes wer
allowed on the table and no servants toll
Grated under the roof. Mrs. Trafton re
newed her long lost acquaintance wit
the kitchen, and the young ladies wcr
initiated into the mysteries of turke
dressing, minee and pumpkin pics, brow
bread and Indian pudding. The boys
Herbert and John, twins, strangcl
enough, both of them in their father
counting room, and with just &
little sympathy between them q
there had existed between their fathC
and uncle, were always present on thes
holiday festivals. They brought III
water from the old-tashloned well, sp
the wood and kept the coal-box filled
a service which was by no means col
genial to young men whose siighte.
wishes had been anticipated from the
babyhood. But their fathers will va
absolute and never disputed.
A week previous to the Christmas
1890, Herbert Trafton, Esq, and h
family started for their country sc;
as usual. Time was dealing vel
leniently with the head of ii
house, though the sadness which had S
long occupied his heart was now SOM
times visible ON his face. Once he la
Anld his ruifn thnt hn ,rn1,ld 1rln,llr cri