The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-11-27

the untrammeled life of the country, but we fear
to exceed the limits pr escribed TO us. We meant
10 have told the story Of poor youth who was
betrayed by the force of circumstances, to the
commission OF a single offence, for which he was
liable to he sent to the State Prison. and prob
ably would have been, by the hasy judgement
of Police Court. While he awaited Iris trial
in coutry Jail he was repeatedly visited ny Il
friend of mine, who never ncglects the prisoners
that anguish within walls, within sight OF his
happy home. He made himself acquainted with
the character OF the youth, who had no natural
friends to Interfere for him, for his family were
in distant part of the country, and he declared
| he had rather die in the State Prison than that
they should be made acquainted with his trans
erosion. My friend ascertained as tar as he
could the circumstances of the offenders previ-
Gus life, and when the trial came on, he vol,in-
teered his testimony in his behalf, and so eo
gently expressed his convictions that the poor
fellow did not deserve the State Prison, and
would be ruined by it, that the Judge relying on
my friends statement and judgement, sentenced
the prisoner merely to few months confine-
ment in the County Jail. Pains were taken TO
supply MIN with work, by which he made some
forty or fifty dollars over aud above his prison
fees.
During his confinement he was often visited
by my friends children, who, mbibing from the
atmosphere that surrounded them, the spirit OF
kindness delighted 10 carry "George' the news
property, in fruits and cakes. | CHANGED to be
presen, the evening when the term Of his inpris-
onnent having eXpired,ss dressed in neat new
suit, he came 10 my friends house. had new
q? seen him, and inferred from the cordial re-
cepton given him by the master and mistress
of the house that lie some favorte towns
man, returned after a long absence. Nor was
undeceived ill Willie, little fellow whose
heart is brimfnl and running over with love,
came into the pnrlour. On seeing the stranger
CHS honest sonse face" kinded, and eyes spark
ling, and cheeks glowing, he threw himself into
our sisters'arms excaiming, 20, George, how
glad am you are on: of Jail-is not it pleasant
to he out ofinl?'-and i'm lower tone, Father
says he gueSSes youth never get there again, and
kno'O you won't, George
Was not all this in the same spirit in which the
| father went ont TO meet his repen.ant son, say
ing, "For this my son was dead and is alive
again, he was lost, and is found" Ii this spirit
were more fell, we should not fear to hear that
dreadful question, "where is thy bro,her2' if il
were exercised, how many sick would be healed.
how many wanderers gathered into The fold!
There was an old woman in our village so
marked with the strong qualities OF her better
years and so stricken by age, that in one period
Of The world she might have been honored rs
prophecies, or in another burned rs n WITCH
But living in our unmaginatve, but happier
days, she was cherished for her long life OF hon
est toll long after she had become impotent from
agc.--Our kind overseers of the poor, respect
ting the pride of Independence which made her
shrink from the legal provision of the town. con-
nived at iher receiving her annual supply of
wood and breatstuff, in such mode that, TO the
day of he death she believed it came from the
voluntary charity of her friends.
She died during one of the coolest periods of
the present winter, and as faithful old friend,
Il colored woman who watched beside her, said,
"She died handsome - The homey express
sion was well applied, for she finished her long
and temperate life without the penalty of sick
ness; and after slight oppression, and setting
in her chair, her life passed while an expression
of lhanktulncss to her Maker for all his mercies
rembled on her lips
She had exacted n promise from Mrs. -,
the richest lady in the village, (but whose con
scousness of wealth is only betrayed 10y her
bounty in givipg,) that she would see her fifty
"Laid out" This desire, not TO appear in the
livery Of the towns amoners, is characteristic OF
our New ngland poor, as If, like n state prison
suit, it We're Il testimony agRiust them. fier
benefacress, while living, dl not forget her
when dead; and the poor old crone was arrnyed
in shroud and cap made by Mrs --s"ueat
handed" daughters.
The day of the funera was one of the widest
of our winter days. Snow and sleet were fall
ing and the wind blew tempest The clouds
seemed to swcepthe hills ms they careered over
them, casting over the v'iilies, the lakes ana the
there, dropping their eaden masses to the very
base of the MOUNTAINS IL was n day when all
hut the hardest youth, and most rugged labor
ers, cover over their home fires. The corpse
waste he brought from n mile beyond the viii
lage, to the burying ground adjoining the "meet'
ing house," on the very summit of tho bleakest
hill. One would have thought there was none
so poor to do her this service. But when
the bell toled, procession of carriages and wag,
ons were seen following the old pauper; and first
came Mrs --- and her daughters in her hand
some barouche, drawn 10y II pair OF noble grays,
that, excited by the storm, pranced and c"rVe'-
ted as they turned Up the churchyard
Was not this contrast to the hollow poinp OF
the city tribute their great dead, or the care
less apathy with which they shower taeit poor
brothers into their last hone' All, the country
is the Temple of God, and the fire is here kept
alive on his affairs
-"Be it ours to mediate,
In these calm shades thy milder majesty,
And to the beautiful order of thy works,
Learn to conform tho order of our lives"