Litchfield enquirer., 1838-03-01
From the CRristian Ka.n.nte


an effect, probably a very decided etEsc. =
forming the character of one who wa. iaG
to be educated by the impressions of 81.
cumstances. His friend had a small farm
on which the boy worked with such men az
from time to time happened to be employ,
ed. In remote Geld stood large tulin.
tree. a tree apparently ola century's growth.
and one of the most gigantic Of that splen-
did species Of tree. Ii looked like tho Ga.
Their of the surrounding forest. A single
tree of huge dimensions, standing oil alone
is sublime object. On the top Of this
tree, for years, an old eagle commonly cal-
led the Fishing Eagle had bult her nest
every year, aud unmoles,ed raised her
young. Wha, is remarkable, if it be- re-
markable, this tree stood full ten miles from.
the sea-shore. 1t had long been known as
the Old Eagle Tree On warm SUNNY
day, the workmen were hoeing corn in an
adjoining field. At certain hour Of the
day, the old eagle was known to set off for
the seaside, to gather food for her young.
AS she this day returned with a large fish
in her claws. the workmen surrounded the
tree, and by yelling, and hooting, and
throwing stones. SO scared the poor bird
| that she dropped her fish, and they carried
it off in triumph. The men soon dispersed,
but Joseph sat down under bush near by
| TO watch and To bes,ow .unavaiiing pity
The bird sopn returned to her nest without
food. The cagle;s at once set up cry for
food so shrill, SO clear, aud 50 clamorous,
that the boy was greatly moved. The pa
rent bird seemed to try 10 so0the them, but
their appcti,es were too keen, and itiwas all
S,, So a. 4.
limb near them, and looked down into the
nest with a look that Seemed to say,sI
know not what to do next Her-indeci-
sion was but nomeniary; again she poised
herself. uttered one or two sharp notes, as
if telling them to lie STILL balanced her
body, spread her wings, aad was away n
gain for the sea Joseph now determined
Ia see the result. His eye followed her
till she grew. small, smaller, d mere speck
in the sky, aud then disappeared. What
boy has not thus watched The flight OF the
bird Of his country in this wsya She was
gone nearly two hours, about double her
usual time for a voyage, when she again
returned ona slow, weary wing, flying UNI
commonly low, in order to have heavier
| atmosphere 10 sustain her, with another fish
| in her ilaons. On nearing tho field, she
made circuit around il, 10 see il her enc
mics were again there. Finding the coast
clear. she once more reached tho tree,
dropping, fain. aud weary, and evidently
nearly exhausted. Again the eaglets set
up their cry, which, was soon hushed by Tho
distribution Of a dinner such as--save the
cooking--a king might admire. Glori-
Gus birdi' cried the boy in ecstacy and
aloud; what spirit! Other birds can Fly
swiiier-others can sing more ,swee.ly--'
others scream more loudly; but what bird,
when pcrsecOte1 and robbed-- when weary
when discourHged-wlIen so Ear from The
sea--,wonld do IT,! Curious bird /! I will
lcarnu lesson from, thee to-day. will
never forget, hereafter, that when the spir-
it is determined. /. can do almost any thing.
Others would have dropped and hung tho
head, and moGrAed over the cruelty Of man,
and sighed over the wants Of the ncstlings,;
but thou, by at once recovering the loss,
hasi lorgo.ten OIL. will learn Of thee. no.
bio bird l will set my mark high. will
try TO do something, and to be something
in the world; and I UiN never yield to
Heterogeneous n. 8s
Three years after this, a boy was seen
tripping merriiy along towards Philadel.
pI,ia. with a stiff hickory cane in one hand,
and small bundle in the other. He was
alone aud ON foot. This was the eighth
day of!'is solitary trasels, which he had
continued to pursue with the SUM Of fifty
cents day. In bis cbeckered handker-
chief were oil bis worldly goods, consisting
Of Testament, a few shirts with black
ribbon in the collar Of each. and small
number Of 0nimporiant articles Of dress
He was oyeriaken by man on horseback,
with knowing and somewhat dignifed
look. The boy at once recognized him rs
an old school master, to whom he had been
for instruction several winters before, in q
free school. Al first he seemed unwilling
to use his n,emory, when hailed by the boy |;
but bis good nature soon obtained the rs.
cendancy.
Where are you going. my boyF
ITO Phiiadelphis, sir. My cousin, Mr..
Eaton, told me last spring, that if could
get TO him he would help ME TO a better ed
ucation than / could get in conneclicnt.'
! Years have passed away--ihis boy has
since become o man. fa
have seen this man occupying most
commanding place in the church Of God,
commanding ia influence, responsibility
and usefulness; have heard him speak IN
manly tones, and with surprising power. be-
fore the great congregation; and lrhaye
seen his writings published in other eonn-
tries aud in other languages. I have aaeS
many mos, enviable characters. but few Il
DO compared 10 this nlan for traits noble
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