The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-09-12

| AsoptiI w iiSOD was II natlVe OF Boston, His
rather, The Rev. Mr. Wilson, was ono of the first
settlers of that colony; Il true puritan he was.
steady ana sturdy in his opposition to-, and alb
ilorfence OF every tenet leaning towards prelacy
or popery. He was an ardent enthusiastic aud
plotls man but very proud one. He was proud
OF the sacrifices he had made, and the persecu-
tons he had endured for conscience sake; and
proud that no was accounted ii shining light in
the colony. And it is probable that the sway he
acquired over the stern and strong minds among
whom he mingled in the new world was more
gratifying to his pride, than the homage OF his
vassals AMI dependents would have been, had he
not, by his incorrgbe non conformity forfeited
the far inheritance in England to which he might
nave succeeded He was proud too, of his son,
ana IN that he was eXcusable; Robert was such
son us might justly make parent glad, if not
proud.
Robert had accompanied his father on a jour
ney through most of the settlements in the col
ony, WHITTIER Mr.. Wilson went to examine the
state of the churches, and!endeavor to rouse their
zeal and kindle their love. At Dover they tar
RED several weeks, passlng the time mostly at the
dwelling of Captain Waldron and if the fathers
eloquence failed to warm or gain hearts, the sons
'erstlasons were more successful. But Robert
gave his own heart in exchange for Marv's, which
no doubt added much force to his eoguence.
MIR. Wilson behcld their mutual attachment
with more competency than those who knew
his pride would have expected. Several reasons
contributed to this. The naidcn's manners
pleased him exceedingly; he saw her always
industrious and attentive to oblige him, and then
he very much wished TO have Robert married.
1t was his favorite maxim, that early marriages
made men better citizens; and, moreover there
was fine piece ofland on the banks of the Co
checho Which Robert might easily obtain for
farm. Some occurrences in Boston had highly
chasrined and disguised the elder Mr.. Wilson
The Inhabitants of Dover had treated him with
vast respect, and he secretly INDUCED the intcn-
ton of removing thither, should his son be PROS
pered. SO matters were soon arranged to the
mutual satisfaction of all parties. Roberts farm
YVES secured, aud after he had ACCOMPANIED his
father to Boston. and procured necessaries for
beginning the world, he was TO return to Dover,
prepare house, and the means OF house keeping,
and then he was to he blessed with Mary's hand,
No lover will magne that Robert would make
his stay AT Boston of much duration. Despite the
many warm friends among his youthful compan-
ions, none could supply the void III his heart
which his absence from Mary had caused; and
he was soon seen vending his way back to Do
yer, equipped to settle in the forest
The appearance of his farm might not have
been exactly to the taste of the city bred beauX
of the present day. IL lay in all the wlllness of
nature, the tall trees tossing their heads proudly
in the wind us if bidding defiance TO puny man,
who was seeking 10 usurp the dominion which
they held undisturbed for thousands of ages
And in the reccsses of those dark old woods often
lurked the willy savage, more terrific and blood
thirsty than the proving lion or the crouching
tiger. However, Robert Wilson surveyed the
trees and thought Of the Indians without shrink
ing. He had been bred to consider labor, hard
hand labor, honorable, even for gentlemen of the
first standing and best education. The early col
onists obliged to labor, for hired help could
not be obtained-and cicrgynen, and merchants
ana lawyers often put their own hands to the
spade and axe. And Mr. Wilson had always
intended Robert for farmer, us he observed that
he was not over fond of study; and next to being
herald of the gospel, tiller of the ground was
the most righteous and happy calling, in his es
;imation, man could pursue.
Such were the fathers sentiments, and Robert
was prepared to illustrate them in the happiest
manner. lie had Il light heart, a strong arm,
sharp axe, and sure gun and the labors and
dangers besetting his path of life gave him no
more concern than the obstruction of thistle down
in his road to church. He was tall, finely form
cd young man, of twenty one, with eyes as black
as Il thunder cloud, and their flash very much
like its lightning. His hair was as black rs his
eyes, and his rather dark complexion wore such
glow of health, and his whole couulcnance and
dcmeanor so much of happiness and frank con-
tidence, that all who saw him prophesied, and,
indeed wished success to the handsome and &C
tive youth.
Their wishes and his OWE seemed likely to be
realized. In year from the time of hls strik-
ing the first blow in the forest, his land wore the
appearance of pleasant cultivated farm. The
trees had nearly all disappeared from an area of
twenty acres and the surface was covered and
stumps nearly all concealed by luxurant har
vest. There was the golden wheat, the bearded
rye, and tasselled corn as tall and straight as
company of grenaders; with pumpkins and
squashes innumerable, reposing on the ground
quietly ripening in the mellow heats OF August.
On gentle rising ground, in the middle of the
young plantation stood small dwelling; wish
| could, with propriety, call it cottage, because
to many young ladies it would give such a ro-
mantle interest to my story-but truth compelS
me to confess that, although prcttier and more
comfortable than their real cottages it was not at
all like cottage of the Imagination. 1t was a
building twenty feet by twenty four-iormed Of
neatly hewed logs, the roof covered with boards,
the inside divided into two apartments, with one
little closet, and the whole lighted by three small
glass windows. On either side of this dwelling
rose large elm tree, and several small ones were
onthe lawn fronting the house, purposey leitstand,