The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-06-03

driven out ana bel0SD nearlS numDltu'
Il think proper confessing of our
own failings would humble most of us
enough" tmidly ventured a sister. To
which suggestion there were various
mods of approval.
After due deliberation this latter
plan was decided on, and it was agreed
that regular class meeting hour, on the
following Sunday, should be devoted to
such confessions and experiences.
In the meantime, each person was to
seek out bis own besetting sin, and en-
deavor to overcome it.
With this understanding they dis
persed to their several homes.
The following week was not without
trial to more than one worthy soul.
The doctors wife so far overcame her
prejudice as to invite the respectable
but poverty stricken Widow Carr and
the five little Cars to tea, and was am
ply rewarded by the undisguised pleas
ure of her guests.
Adam Bailey, proprietor of the Dunn
ford general store, who amazed people
with his musical talent on Sundays, and
COMPOUNDED them with his money.mak-
ing talent the rest of the week-exper-
fenced several distinct twinges of con-
science, which ted favorably to his
customers.
The weary little dressmaker, whose
life was one troubled dream of fuss and
fashion tried hard not to envy her more
fortunate sisters.
The village gossip, who enjoyed an
extensive acquaintance, made a praise
worthy effort to keep her tongue at
home, which had the effect of causing
some Of her patrons TO be almost con-
sumed with curiosity.
Early in the week Mother Hepson's
watchful eyes detected signs of unusual
hustle at neighbor Tidball's over the
way.
Inside carpets were taken up and put
down, the best room was aired and
treated TO new curtains, while the
dingy yellow exterior disappeared un-
der the magic of the painters brush,
and the old house emerged, fresh and
fair as if clarifying in renewed youth.
And when on Saturday morning,
Brother Tidball, who by the way, was
a widower, and father of the afore
mentioned Tommy, was seen arrayed
in his best and fairly aboard the out
going train, it was almost more than
flesh and blood could stand. The good
old lady Was sorely tempted to set out
on tour of investigation.
For FIVE minutes she wavered be-
tween bonnet and Bible, but the latter
finally conquered, and conscious of VIC
tory, she possessed her soul in patience.
Sunday morning dawned, or rather
tried to dawn, for the clouds hung low
hna hn mi, doe No
in torrents on the just and on the un-
just. Each quickening bulb and blade
of grass, each opening bud and culver
ing leahet, slaked its thirst and drank
again and reveled in its wealth of wet
ness.
Slas Bonny, neat and dapper, picked
his way gingerly around the puddles
and over the mud till he reached the
church entry, where he bumped up
against another umbrella which was
doing its dripping best to shelter the
generous proportions of Deacon Smull.
The two men exchanged greetings
and entered the house of worship TO
find they were the earliest corners.
All the week Silas Bonny had sought
to cultivate a brotherly and forgiving
spirit toward the deacon, while the lat
ter, be it said to his credit, endeavored
to persuade himself that he had
wronged Brother Bonny. Both felt
that the place and the hour were pro-
pitious, yet each waited for the other
TO begin.
In the interval, while one mechan-
ically turned the leaves of his hymn
book and the other gazed at the ceiling,
stamping was heard in the entry and
Tommy Tidball appeared on the scene.
With flourish of wet garments he pro-
duced from the depths of his pocket a
and then battered back with such alac-
rity that the worthy man had scarce
time to ask: What is this, who sent
it?n
Dad" came the answer, and then
daringly, " It's fathers besetting sin,
sent by his besettlng son." For an in
slant Tommy's grinning physiogonomy
was visible in the door, then it van
ished like some imp of outer dampness.
The letter was as follows:
" Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord
regret that 1 cannot be with you to-day, but
duty calls me elsewhere, and desire by
this means to add my testimony to those OF
sister married against my wishes a man
knew to be unworthy Of her. Since then we
have been as strangers, and though was
aware that he had since died, and she was
having hard struggle with the world, yet
/ steeled my heart against her; deludeG
with the belief that it was her place to seek
me, not mine to go to her. After the ser
mon last Sunday could think of nothing
but Jennie. Little Jennie who shared my
childish joys and sorrows, who shielded mt
from more than one merited reproof, who
chung round my neck and mingled her tear
with mine when our last earthly parent wal
taken away. And yet, when her woman
heart led her where 1 could not follow,
cast her off. 1t all came over me like
flash of light revealing the dark places o
my soul. / know where to find Jennie.
understand her forgiving nature, and l an
going after her. My home shall be hers
and, please God, she shall never want 70
aught while live, Pray for me, brethren
that hereafter may forgive as l hope to b
forgiven. AMOS TIDBALL."
Deacon Smul finished the letter, ant
passing it over to his companion, h
leaned back and closed his eyes.