The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-11-07
Selected Storp.
How I Saw Dickens.

the newspapers were filled with abuse
of his past, present and future, and
especially of those dreadful American
Notes" | said that though he might
wear a hard, ugly shell, as some men
do, he must be tender and true within,
or he could never write the beautiful
words which have gladdened so many
hearts. Do sweet waters, | argued,
flow from bitter fountains? Yes, Mr..
Dickens had at least one firm friend in
Springfield, and that was /, Hepsybah
Lee, who, owing to the gnawing of
poverty and utter failure to APP
pear upon the part of the young man
foreordaned and predestinod to bear
my burdens, according to DIR Holland,
taught a, b, abs to the future president
of the United States, at least tried to
think so when the children were I'M
usually stupid and dirty.
1t was a charming thought, especially
in this connection. Were we not both
working for the benefit of posterity,
indirectly, perhaps feeby upon my
part, but none the less truly, and think
ing thus, my kindly regard for him in
creased. | read with all the interest of
a personal friend of his success before
the American public. Even Dolby
won share in my good will. OF
Dolby as genius, of Dolby as human
being even, had no thought, but the
right hand, so to speak, of Mr.. Dickens,
could not be matter of indifference 10
me, were he ever so Indifferent mat
ter, and therefore a slight halo, or, at
least, reflection of glory encircled
even Dolby's head.
When their coming to our city was
not only announced in the newspapers
but actually confirmed the next day,
began to look about me for ways and
means. There was no one to ask me,
no one ever did ask me to 90 anywhere
l but once, and then l could not 90.
Della Spiggins was going with her Joe,
but had no Joe. She kindly invited
me to make a third in the party, pro-
vided | would furnish my own ticket,
T, narrowing it down to question of dol
lars and cents.
1t was the beginning of a new term
= the first week, | think; like most of
. the teachers l had anticipated my sal
airy, and after buying few indispens-
It ables and paying debts there was but
l. one ragged bill, a two-dollar bill, left
& in my purse. | looked at it longingly
n We did not really need anything,
y thought; there was only mother, little
5, Tim and | still it was a great deal tC
1t spend for disqualification. l was by
g no means sure that it would be possible
1t to enjoy anything at such price.
+ + turned the ragged bill over anC
a. over in my hand, as | turned the sub
/. ject over and over in my mind, withou
a word to mother; and yet she knew i
t all, | think, and word from her de
/. cided me at last.
You had better go, dear; it is blu
once in lifetime"
5 My feet were winged when / hastenet
uptown on the way to school to blu,
the ticket; but even then it was to-
"a late. There had been watchers an,
St walters since midnight, and l carrie,
ID into school only a heavy heart and
s. ragged bill, while wandering thought
tie of wise and foolish virgins, and littl
o; Cratchits. and thousand other thing
Il equally irrelevant, drove from my min
. all thoughts of a, b, abs. 1t was a
good as a holiday to the Ounces
n Even Tom Trotter's daily whippin
n was forgotten, until he fingered afte
" the others, as though he missed some
thing.
1t was bitter disappointment, whic
even mothers prediction, that | woul
ID. yet hear of ticket for sale, would nc
en- soften. And so | did hear of NOR
ny than one, but at prices ranging fror
five to ten dollars; nothing less. An
yet did not quite despair. 1t cannc
be, thought, that |, who have bee
4 his fondest admirer, his truest frienC
am never to see his face, never to hea
his ,.A;caf | forfrot thof ri Sho,l
be its own reward: but we are apt t
forget proverbs in times of trouble.
Friday afternoon came at last, as a
afternoons do come, neither earlier nc
later for bringing JOY or sorrow.
a came home from school tired and eros
vi after the weeks work. NV future pres
dent seemed determined to make a
A = of himself, notwitl
standing my efforts to the contrary
The tea-table was unusually inviting
n for mother had brought out the ole
Q fashioned china and made a loaf {
gingerbread; real luxury to me, def
mother 1t delighted Tim, but | VIZ
only half grateful, for the thought woul
We come that it would always be so in life
ieerr just gingerbread and nothing more.
-, You haven't any ticket?" | shoe
th my head. She was kneeling by Tim
IA a. chair, pulling off his shoes. They wei
'rs patched fore and aft. They had bee
soled and heeled and toed until thel
" was hardly bit of the original shoe
l, left but the copper toes.
He ought to have some new shoes,
said |, fretfully. She sighed, workin
patiently at the broken string.
Sc Il know, but l can't manage it ju
~ yet" Ipushed my chair back frol
the table, angry with her for sighinl
angry with Tim, and even angry wit
myself; for my eyes would wander
VI those ragged little shoes.
'" 81 believe III take that letter to II
. postoffice. Pm tired to death of II
| sight of children" and l gave littl
| Tim a push from my side.
| Mother looked sorrowfully toward m
| fancied she sighed again as she la
| my piece of gingerbread back upon Il
i plate. I wished l had eaten it, III
Il angry feelings died away from n