The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-06-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
TIE SILVER TANKARD.


On slope of land opening itself 10 the
South, IN new thick settled town, in the
State Of Name, somo hundred or more
years ago, stood farm house, TO which
the epithet of comfortable NIGH, be ap-
Piled The old forest came down TO the
back Of It; in iront were cultivated fields,
beyond which was ground partially cleared,
full Of pine stumps, aud there, standing
erect, the giant trunks Of trees which the
fire had scorched md blackened, though II
had failed 10 overthrow thom. The house
stood at the very verge Of the settlement,
50 that RON Il no other cottage could be
seem the nearest ueghbor was distant
a estl sex '"h sna R5so 81 Yao
wilderness, vide, rich ,rac. of land, not
Gully as his own home, but prospeclyely, as
the home Of his children aud cAildren's
children He was willing 10 DO far Oh from
mcn, that his children might have room TO
settle around him. He was looked upon as
the rich man Of that district, and was known
over that part Of the country. HIS house
was completely finished and was I1rac for
the times, having two stories IN front aud
ono behind, with long slopng roof It
seemed as If Il leaned 10 the South, to Offer
its back to the cold winds Of the Northern
mountains. Ii was fell Of the comforts Of
lltc-tho furniture even little "showy,'
for Puritan; and when the table was set,
there was, to use aukce phrase, "consid
erabie,' silver plate, among which a large
taukard stood pre.emuent This silver
had been the property Of his father, and
was brought from the mother country.
Now we will 20 back TO this pleasant
valley, as It was on bright and beautiful
morning in the month OF June. II was
Sunday and though early, the two sons
Of Daniel Gordon and the hired man had
gone 10 meeting on foot, down to the
" Landing liule village on the banks Of
tho river, ten miles distant Daniel him
self was standing at the door, with the
horse and chaIso, ready and waiting for his
good wife, who had been somewhat detain.
cd. lie was standing at the door step, en-.
loytag the freshness Of the morning, with
little pride IN his heart as he cast his
eye over the extent Of his possessions
spread before him. At that instant, a
ncighbor Of six miles distance, rode up on
horseback, and beckoned to him from the
gate at the enclosure around the house.
Good morning, ncghbor Gordon, said
he, 6! have GENE out Of my way in going
TO meeting to tell you that Tom Smith
that daring thict-wlh two others, have
been seen proving about in these parts,
and that you had better look out lest YOU
have visit. | have got nothing IN my
house to bring them here, but they may
be after the silver taukard, neighbor, and
the SILVER spoons. have often said tina,
these things we're no, fit for these parts
Tom is bold fellow, but | suppose the
fewer he meets when he goes to steal, the
better. | don't think il is safe for you all
to be Of to meeting to-day; but am IN a
hurry neighbor, so good bye"
This communication placed our friend
Daniel in an unpleasant dilemma. 1t had
been settled that no one was TO be left al
home but his daughter Mahtable, a boanti
tul little girl about nine years old. Shall
stay or not was the question. Daniel was
a Puriteu he had strlc. notions of the duty
of worshlpping God in his temple, and be
had faith that God would bless him only as
he did his duty but then he was a father,
and little Haiy was the ligh, and Joy of his
eyes.
But these Puritans were stern and IN.
flinching. lie soon ecttled the point. 81
won't even take iiuty with me; for twill
make her cowardly. The thieves may not
come--acighbor Perkins may be mistaken;
and if they do come 10 my house, they will