The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-11-24
Select Mlistellanp.
Deacon Fleming's Golden Wedding,
A THANKSGIVING STORY.

pumpkin, custard and cream; cakes of
every description, frosted and plain;
buildings, chicken pies, huge turkeys,
preserves, ielles and pickles. The
pantry shelves fairly groaned with their
load of goodies.
In the dining-room the tables gilt
tered with siver and china, and the
whole house wore festive air and
echoed to the sound of laughter as it
had not done for many year; for sew
eral children from a distance arrived
the day before to keep Thanksgiving in
the old homestead, and to celebrate the
golden wedding of the aged pair, who
sat in large easy chairs in the parlor,
ready to receive their guests and to be-
stow an oldtime, courteous welcome.
They were handsome couple still, des-
pite the silvery hair and faces upon
which time and care had traced many
lines.
Soon the guests began to arrive:
children, brothers and sisters of Deacon
Fleming and his wife, friends who had
proved true through long years of light
and shade. Among them all, with sunny
smiles and pleasant words, moved Faith
GRAVITY, quiet, sweet-faced woman of
thirty, with shade of sadness in her
eyes and heart history that made one
think of the words of Whittier,
"of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these, 1t might have been"
She was the daughter of an old friend
of Deacon Fleming, who died when
Faith was but five years old, leaving
her to the guardianship of the good
deacon. He took her home and showed
no distinction between her and his own
children. Now after many years she
was repaying them, by remaining with
them and filling the whole house with
sunshine as only pure, loving wo-
man can do.
| have read somewhere of a bird
the nightingale, think-that always
sings its sweetest notes with its breast
against thorn. | do not know whether
it is true or not. but | do know that
human hearts that have been pierced
by suffering often send forth more glo-
rifed strains. Perhaps that was why
Faiths life was so much lovelier than
that of most people.
There were poems and pathetic little
speeches, and an array OF presents.
Then many heirlOoms and antiquated
garments were displayed to the wander
ing gaze of the young people. Mrs.
Fleming's wedding dress excited the
most admiration among the young
folks. 1t was of heavy white silk richly
trimmed with lace, and the veil, though
yellow with age, was of rare beauty
still. Nothing to do but one young girl
must try them on and appear before
the aged pair. The good old deacon
had often declared that she was 9 "a
perfect picture of grandmother at
twenty" and now as she stood before
him he stared as though he saw vision,
and away in a twinkle fled his fifty
years of married life, and his bonny
bride again sits by his side. He took
off his glasses and rubbed them vigor-
ously, for he thought they had become
suddenly dim. But the trouble was
not in the glasses at all.
This good man had been blessed with
ten children. Two of them slept " I'M
der the daisies" and one was wan
derer. For years his father had not
spoken his name, nor had any one
dared speak it in his presence. Roy
Fleming was reckless and daring, but
generous and warm hearted to a fault
In moment of passion al some of his
reckless doings, his father had forbidden
him ever to cross his threshold again.
Roy had much of his fathers iron will
and though many years had passed he
had never since entered his childhood S
home.
1t was a custom of the ancients TO
seat skeleton at feast to remind the
guests of their mortality. So on this
feast day, when all was mirth and jol-
lily around, the skeleton of remorse
was ever by the deacon's side remind
ing him of joys that might have been
his; but unlike the ancient custom no
one perceived it. He kept his secret
locked in his own heart, and not even
his faithful wife guessed how he greved
for his once idolized though hayward
son.
- A gentleman at the door wishes to
speak with you on business that he
says cannot watt" said some one,
addressing the deacon. He left the
room and was seen no more for an hour.
After time Faiths loving eyes
missed Mrs. Fleming from the room
and she went in search of her. She
was in "Roy's room" Everything
there remained just as he left it, and
never did heather devotee guard the
shrine of his god more jealousy from
sacrilegious hands than did these women
that room. They would never believe
that he was dead. Some time he would
would come home, and he should find
his room waiting for him just as he left
it. Often they would meet there to
talk of him and pray for his return
But, to-day, weary with waiting, the
mother wept bitterly. sob, Roy, my
son! Shall / never see you again?''
There was something pathetic in her
grief, and Faith drew the silvery head
upon her breast and kissed the wrinkled
face tenderly. BE of good cheer,
mother, he will surely come back. Our
prayers will be answered"
just then there came the sound OF
footsteps along the hall and they heard
the deacon's voice calling them. Soon
he entered the room followed by q
stranger, tall bearded man Drowned
by exposure to tropical suns.
"Here is some one who knows oui
Roy. He is alive and we'll"
Mrs. Fleming and Faith gave &
startled glance at the stranger. "Royp'
ROY" they cried in breath, and
Mother! FAITH" he answered, and
they were in his arms.
After little time given to excama.
tons and questionings they Joined theil