The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-07-07
Mr.. Taber's Coincidence.

Mr.. Taber's Coincidence.
Mr.. Taber was a mild old gentleman,
who lived in quiet manner on a very
quiet street. He had seen better days,
but had 4" outlived his usefulness" as
was said by the inconsiderate. Use
fulness, however, is not always to be
reckoned by muscular vigor and physi-
cal activity, and therefore Mr.. Taber
was not useless, for he possessed
cheerful and happy spirit that exerted
itself for the happiness of Others
Wherever he went he carried well
come with him, and he impaired sun
shine to every circle he visited. He
was in the quiet diffusion of pleasure;
and many an active man would have
been less missed, were he taken away,
than good Mr.. Taber. Though with
nothing to do, apparently, he was every
day to be seen in public places, and
always had chair allotted him in the
old commercial reading-room, which he
had frequented in earlier days. To
those who knew him the wonder was
how he substitution his failure in
business, years before, had been hope
lessly ruinous-and to those who did
not, he might have seemed a gentle
man in moderate circumstances, draw
ing support from his interest-money.
Few knew that the small house he oc-
cupied was held merely on a life tenure,
suffered by lenient creditor; but he
kept up a very respectable appearance,
and was as cheerful on Change and
showed as much interest in passing
events as though he had thousands at
stake.
His house was marvel of neatness
on the outside, wearing an aspect of
modest gentility, and no one could
dream that within there were occa-
sions when poverty bore heavily on the
occupants, that pride alone-the relic
of former prosperity-enabled them to
endure. These consisted of Mr.. Taber
and his daughter, Mary-she the last of
his family, his wife and other children
having died long beforehand he chung
to his wife's home with all the tenacity
of an old man, resolved to "hold the
fort " as long as possible, whatever the
circumstances. He never made sign
of need, and his daughter, equally
proud, maintained the family re
spectability" bravely for her fathers
sake. They doubtless received re-
mittances occasionally from some dis
tant source, and were enabled to keep
the wolf from the door; but this was
never revealed by any outward indica-
ton.
1t is wonderful how sharp are fem
mime eyes to detect what is not intended
to be seen-the effort to conceal, may
be, aiding the detection-and kind
neighbor of the Tabers, having dropped
in at time of deep depression, saw
enough to convince her that all was
not as it should be. She sat with Mary
during her task in the kitchen, and
though the girl seemed eXuberant with
gayety, felt that this was forced, under
a prevailing sense of hidden care
There were no condolences exchanged
and to offer assistance would, the
neighbor felt, be an objectionable Of
fence; so she did the next best thing tC
keeping it to herself by telling it to hel
husband as soon as she got home.
Something must be done for them,
said she.
but how?" he asked. "They arr
as proud as Lucifer."
They talked the matter over seriously
devising this and that mode, until
striking his wife upon the shoulder, HI
said:
An idea strikes me-"
"Well, john" said she, smiling, "i
it strikes you as hard as you have struc
me, it must be a possible one"
John laughed and kissed the spot t
make it well.
GIVE an idea," said he, that
surprise party would meet the case eS
actly.'
''Surprise parties are too common,
she said, " and they would suspect tn
motive"
"No, they wouldn't" said he, 4" tn
way I'd fix it: and Taber is as unsus
pecting as a child. I'll do it. We won
make an elaborate thing of it, yo
know, and eat up all we carry, but jus
enough to make an evening pass pleas
antly. No women, you know"
She did not quite like the feminin
exclusion, but made no serious obie'
ton, for the sake of the cause. 1t we
great scheme in that good man
mind, who had never been engaged i
such matter before, and the next da
he went around among the old friend
of Mr.. Taber with such success that h
had his party all formed right AVA
with the right set and everything a
ranged for the good time.
Don't make a failure of ito sal
his wife, when he told her.
"Oh bless you, no." he replied
there will be only small party, ar
everything will run as smooth as
smelt.'
The night for the allotted raid was
hard one for the Tabers. Their e
chequer had run down to the last stive
and their larder was in state of vacui
that verged on famine.
"Mary," said Mr.. Taber, as they S
down to their spare meal that evenin
"things look rather dark, don't they
Never more So" she replied.
Well, )" said he, cheerfully, " thous
dark, the lamp of love will light