The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-05-08

wand, and instantly there cleaned upon
it in fiery letters:
Every tree that bringeth not forth
good fruit is hewn down and cast into
the firel"
What has that to do with me?"
asked Peter, his teeth chattering.
"Tell me of your good works. Have
you any to show?"
Peter was silent.
When have you ever given the
value of farthing to relieve the neces-
stiles of others? Can you name a single
instance?"
Peter hung his head.
Do you remember the shivering
child that passed you on the sidewalk
this afternoon and held out his hand
for gift? What did you, who had in
your pocket what would have been
fortune to her, what did you give her9"
The miser's face was tinged with
shame.
"Tell me, then, what good have you
done in the world? What becomes of
all the gold that pours into your Golfers?
Do you ever encourage industry by
spending it on yourself? Look at this
miserable room, where you lead a mis-
cradle life, combining yourself to the
barest necessities, when you might en-
Joy all its comforts. Tell me, Peter,
have you anything to gain yourself by
living? A few years of privation could
bring you no happiness"
But am not fit to de-" said the
miser appalled,.
Are you fit to live?" was the stern
rejoinder.
"Do you think any one would be the
worse off for your death?"
"I will reform; only try mel" i'm
plored the miser.
" What good would it do?"
"Just year?" entreated Peter.
Then, if J. am not different man,
come and take me-"
There was pause. At length the
reply came.
cit shall be as you wish. If at the
end of year find no change in you
l will come again."
Peter awoke to find himself in the
dark and the cold perspiration oozing
from his brow.
The dream had made great impress
sion upon him. Suddenly the great de-
fusion of his life was rent away and he
saw his life in all its barrenness and
folly. He pictured to himself what he
right easily have been if he had not
bowed all his life long at the shrine of
Mammon, and with this ideal picture
he compared what he was, and shud-
dered at the wide contrast.
I" My life has been terrible mis-
take" he confessed to himself, " but,
thank heaven, have still little time
left. l will devote it to making repara-
ton. Heaven helping me, l will so
act that when l die some one will miss
me-"
AS the first fruits of his good resolu-
ton he built brisk fire and replen-
ished it bountifully from his scanty
stock of fuel. The old room fairly
danced in the cheerful blaze, and the
miser spread his chilled hands before
it with an air of satisfaction.
CHAPTER II.
The morrow dawned AT the usual
hour Peter set out on his collecting
tour.
Hitherto he had been a most in
exorable landlord. Woe betide the I'M
lucky tenant who failed to have the
rent ready for him at the day and hour
he called; he was likely to receive
small mercy at Peters hands.
Such was the condition of Mrs. Mer-
GER, a widow with one son, on whom
he first called. Her son had been in
the habit of selling newspapers, and
upon this, more than upon the scanty
amount which his mother made by sew
ing, they half managed to live.
But fortnight before Charlie Mer-
Ger had been taken sick-the sickness,
no doubt, being induced by exposure
in stormy weather. In consequence of
this misfortune she was now two dol
lars short of the amount required to
meet her quarters rent. Knowing, as
she did, Peters reputation, she prepared
to meet him with trepidation.
He's a hard man." she said, a."
fear the worst"
But God can change even his heart,
mother" said her son.
- Heaven grant it," she said, fer
vently.
AT this moment there was a knock
heard at the door, 1t was the dreaded
visitor.
81 suppose you have come for the
rent?" said Mrs. Mercer.
81 believe this is quarter day" said
Peter.
81 am very sorry that l have not got
the whole of the money ready for you"
said the widow, nervously; "but my
boy has been sick for week past, and
that has diminished our earnings"
"How much have you ready?" asked
Peter.
:" have it within two dollars" said
Mrs. Mercer.
81 can't take it," said Peter, de-
cidedly.