The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-12-03

EasSCEEIHANEaeGJS.
From The Boston Mercantile Journal.
A II II A N K GIVIN STOR Y

l.
1t was bleak day in the month of Noveni
berthe north wind howled mourniully through
the eafess trees--the broken clouds fitted ra
pidily across the face of the Heavens--Hnd the
whole face of nature assumed an aspect, cheer
less and uncomfortabIe-we calculated to re
mind the moralist of the closing scenes in the
great drama OF life-as traveller, with weary
steps, wendell his solitary way through one o
those beautiful hamlet which abound in New
England and which constitute the noble or
naments, emblems Of freedom, peace and hap
pinesss, of which she is justly proud.
To Judge from his costume this traveller be
longed to the humblest ranks of nfe--or haC
been sing led out victim ny misfortune. -
His coarse straw ha,, his patched doublet, anC
his canvas trousers, soiIed by Tar in many plac
es-whe they proclaimed his occupation an,
poverty, seemed but poorly calculated TO protec
him from the inclemancy Of the weather. lii
form was cast in noble mould, denoting grew
activity and strength. His maN'y features
bronzed by exposure to the tropical sun, an,
partly concealed from view by his luxurian
locks Of coal black hue, showed that he wat
still in the dawn of manhood. And his eye:
seemed lighted up with an intelligent spirit-bJ
CLEAN of expectation and hope which show
ed that his humble fortunes did not accord wtl
his noble naturG--and that however severed y
fate had dealt with him, his energies were still
unbroken-and that mnugre the chill northern
blast, and the fatgues which il evident ht
had recently undergone he was resolved to push
onward until the object which he had in view
was accomplished.
1T is now three years. said he to himself us
he ploided along the roal, 'since l very foolish
ly left my happy home, urged ny Il silly pgle
and love for life Of adventure; 20 brave thc
hard*hips and perils ofthe ocean. Since tIieu
my life has been constant series of misior.
tunes. l have met with storms Oh every tack
But thank Providence although my canvas ii
sadly reduced and pretty well worn out--and
my pockets are destitute of bnllast--uy hail is
unimpared and my spirits are "nh'"h'r "',,,
buoyant ever. hope my parents are sii
living and prosperous aud happy-l was Toe"
to leave them. And my hrothers and SISTERS
how happy we were together-and cousin Mary
that bright little fairy, whom loved with Il lose
surprising that of cousins-and in whose com
panY have passed so many raptirnus hours -
Oh, was n great fool TO leave such b'iss'n
sciences. And believe, after all, that the ll,i''
fairy loved me q! knoa0 she did--she nil hu
told me so. But it is too late now Ia rotrace my
steps--i can only regret my folly. dare shy
the bright and Joyous young ding has forgotten
Ned Willis. and was married, TO some worlhici
fellow than | am long since. For her ROSY
cheeks AMI laughing eyes anu sweet disposition
TO say nothing Of the property she was to inner
it when she came OF age, attracted many
admirers--and made sad havoc aiiloti:
the henrts of the youths of the village. Wen
ifshe is married, there is no more to he SAID -
have no right to complain. But hope she ha
chosen II good husband. l will see her once
morc--wish her II long life and happy one
and away to sen again. But if she is not mar
ried--' lie did not finish the sentence, bIi
change came overthe countehance OF the Ill
clad and weather beaten mariner, as IT he wa
INDUCING in vision of rHpture-and he mVoi
unfairly quickened his pace.
AS Edward Willis ourneyed onward toward
his home anticipating by turns happy and adj
verse fortune, he was surprised to find that al
though it was in the middle of the week, there
were no signs of labor nong the inhahitants'-
All was Guiet-even the oxen were brows''is
coutenledly in the pastures-the school house
were closed and the meeting houses were ope:
tho people whom he met with were neat
arrayed in their Sunday clo,hes-and the'
countenances were wreathed with smiles O
gratitude and Joy. On enquiry, he learned ha
it was THANKSGIVING DAY. lie hailed tn
information as q glad omen.
On the day when this poor, forlorn-lookln
traveller after years Of wandering, was pursnIii
his way towards his native village the fire burn
ed brightly on the henTth stone of his parents.-
Deacon Willis was q .New England farmer
man who, by cherishng the virtues OF lnhustr
and irngaliy, had become possessed OF hand
some pr0perty-and who, enjoying conpe
tence in free country, protected by WISE gov
eminent, surrounded By kina and inteiiigef
neghbors, and in the midst OF happy ami WI
tuols family, envied neither nabobs their riche
nor monarchs their power. ....
1t was Thanksgiving day-and great had Dee
the hustle in Dea. Willis family for the prev!o!
week. Assembled in direct line from one OF IT
earliest settlers of New England, consiieri
ton could have induced the worthy Deacon
abate one Jot OF the 'pomp aud pride and CT
cumstance' of the Thanksgiving of the Puritan
Thanksgiving was eligiously observed Ivy hi
as it had been by his father betore-and the Sf'
ude which he expressed to his Creator for Il
melcies which he had received, was not a me
formula of unmeanng words, hut came direct
from the heart. On this day his children we
collected around him-all anticipated joyo
Thanksgiving. Several of their distant rel
tons, who were not so well provided with Il
good things of this life as The worthy deacon,
received an invitation to be present. Amor
those who were sheltered by his hospitable re-
on this occnsionthe greatest favorIe seemed
be Mary Wordsworth, a loved durnse, who
lovely and expressive face told more nbo
sweetness and ipurity than i could describe.