The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-05-15
RAESCNNIMAN RldSHJS.
THE TEST OF FRIENDSHIP.
A SHORT AND TRUE STORY.


sThe hand that wiped away the tear of want,
The heart that melted at anothers woe,
Were his aud blessings followed him.
D.u,n WpNrwoRTH had the kndest o hearts.
There was neither mete nor bound to his benev'
olence, except inability. And happy were any
man who had tlthe or inc prayers 'n"i WIZ
offered up for the welfare of my friend, by the
unfortunate and wretched whom his hand had
relieved.
speak of prayers--for it was the only reward
she obtained; mean here-but forgot.
David was paying attention to an excellent
Young lady OF his native city. She was wealthy,
beautiful and accomplished, and consequently
had many suitors. Among them were richer
and nober lin extraction mean) and hnndson'-
er men than David, but n'importe, there was
kind of frank heartedness about my friend .that
could not fail to carry him somewhere near the
heart of his mistress, even il AN emperor had been
his rival.
The Young lady hit upon project to put the
character of her lovers to Il test. She had come
across poor widow with family in distress IN
one Other benevolent excursion, and the idea
occurred to her that it would he good opportu-
nity to ascertain the stuff her lovers hearts were
made Of Letters were forthwith indicted, SET
ting forth the poor womnn's tale and forwarded
to different gentlemen in The widows name, re-
guessing an answer and assistance
The first reply was a lecture on ldeness ana
beggips, and concluded with the information that
the writer was not accustomed TO give to those
he did not know, This was from ten thousand
dollars year. The second advised her TO apply
to some of the benevolent societies whose husl
ness il was to relieve those who Were truly IN
want This from who had great repua-
ton for beneyolence--who had taken leading
part i'm several charitable associations, and whose
plarisaica liberalily had been blazonedin the Ga
zetle. The lady thought that interested as he
was in those institutions, he displayed very
coinmen,iable reluctance about taking it out OF
their hands. A third from good hearted and
generous kind OF fellow-encosed i've dollar
bill and his compliments. Several took no no.
tico OF the good woman's petition. But there
was another answer which the lady read with
far different feelings. Ii was from Davil-from
$500 year-und need not say like himself
king and consoling. 1t spoke of the writer's mar
row means the rule be had adopted, of never
giving unless persuaded of the object, and con
) cln,led hv requesting an interview. "If"I find
myself Otherwise unable to afford the assistance
YOU require, trust ] may he Of service in inter
resting others in your behalf"
Nor was this mere profession. For it was but
n few weeks before The widow found herself com
fortaby loo, ted and engaged in thriving Iiltle
business, commenced by the recommendation
and carried on by the aid Of my friend. And all
this was done IN genuine Scripture style There
was no souding of nlucIs--and the rigiIt band
knew not the doings of the lett. But his lady
hove silent observer or ms Colh'NL anu Hc
received many kind glance from that quarter,
Of which he little suspected the cause. She
began TO think that the homage ofsn'rlt like hs
was not thing to he despiSed; and she ieit
something very much like paptnon of The
heart rs she questioned herself respecting his in
4lentiots.
Such was che train of Thought which was one
evening. as is often the case, interrupted by the
person who had been its cause. Hour after hour
passed by that night, and he still fingered. lie
could not tear himself away. "Slla is n most
fascinating creature" thought he, and MS good as
she is beautiful. Cam she ever be NINE? Aud
a cloud came over his features and he sat for Il
moment in silence "Ths suspense must be en-
ded, he at length thought He started as the
clock told eleven.
"You will certainly think me insufferahly te-
tlious,' said he with faint smile, ''but have
.heen so pleasantly engaged as to take no note of
time. And the sin of this trespass on the rules
of good breeding must lie at your door. Besides
4 have heightened this VISIT" he continued after
a pnuse, "nnder apprehension that as it has been
the happies it might also he the last, il shall ev-
err be my good fortune to enjoy with Miss Ii"
The lady looked at hin with some surprise
s'Nay,' said he, 'the matter rests with yourself.
viii you forgive my presumption know
that others, perhaps inOre worthy OF yoG, at least
nobler and weaher and higher in the worlds
esteem, are striving for the honor Of your hand.
And yet cannot restrain myself from making an
avowa which, though it may be futile, it is yet
but deserving tribute to your worth.'' And he
popped the question.
The lady did not swoon nor turn pale, but a
flush of qualification passed over her face, and
lighted her eye for moment.
She frankly gave him her hand and looked up
archy in his face. 'The friend of the fatherless
and the widow" said she David blushed) can
no, fail to make a constant lover and worthy
husband
ARTIFICIAL ARMs.--A foreign paper men
tons that an ingenious mechanic named Feith
of Middeburgi in Holland, has lately succeeded
in fabrcating pair of very exceet arms for
cannoner named Sturm, who had had both his
arms blown off, and amputated above the elbow
joint BY means of his artificial arms, he is able
to perform all the various functions of life, for
which arms and hands of real flesh and blood
vera nnca thnn nhk ,,nnnsaaru He can cronlr