Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-07-29
IEhSEi GRANGE.
OR THE YOUNG MEG HANIC.
BY s. r, ARTHUR,

How far is it from here to the sun, Jim
asked Harmon Lee Of his fathers apprcn-
ticr, James Wallace. in tone of lioil rail-
cry, intending by the question to elicit some
reply that would EXHIBIT the bows iono.
rance.
James Wallace, boy Of fourteen. turned
his bright intelligent eyes upon the son Of
ms master, d, after regarding him for a
moment he replied,
don't know liarnan. How far is il 2
There was something 50 honest and earn
est in the tone Of the boy, that much as
llarman had felt al first disposed to sport
with his ignorance, he could not refrain from
giving him true answer. Still, his con.
tempt for the ignorant apprentice was no,
to be concealed, and he replied,
'Nnety-five millions of miles, you icno-
ramus!'
James did not r"tori, but repeating over
IN his mind the distance named, fixed !, in
dcllhly upon his memory.
On the same evening, after he had finish
ed his days work, he obtained small tex,
book ON astronomy, which belonged to liar
man Lee, aud went up into his garrett with a
candle, and there alone. attempted to dive
into the mysteries of that sublime science.
AS he read, the earncs'ncss of his attention
fixed nearly every fact upon his mind. So
intcn. was he that he perceived not the uaS-
SAGE of time, and was only called back to
his consciousness Of vi ere he was, nv the
sudden sink ing of the wick of his candle.
into the melted mass Of talow, that had fill
ed the cup Of his candlcStick. In another
moment he was in tota! darkness. The
cry o! the Waterman told him that the
hours had flown, until it was past ten
o'clock.
Slowly undressing himself in his dark
chamber his mind recurring with a strong in
terrst to what he had been rcading. he laid
down npon hi, hard bed, and gave full play
to his thoughts. Hour after hour passed
away. bu, he could NOT sleep, so absorbed,
was he in receiving the new and wonderful
things that be had read. At last, wearied
nature gave way, and he fen off INTO a SUM
Der, filled with dreams of planets, moons,
comets, and fixed stars.
On the next morning, the apprentice boy
resumed his place at the work bench with a
new feeling: and with this feeling was ming
| W. 'hN VI i'El'l> 'lIdl II' tUulu UOl 10
school as did his masters son.
But | can study at night, while he is
asleep he said to himself.
Just then Hartman Lee comes into the
shop, and approaching James, said, for the
purpose Of teasing him,
How big round is the earth, Jim p
twenty-five thousaud miles, wa. the
| prompt answer.
Hartman looked surprised for a moment,
and then responded with a sneer-for he
was not kindh"arlcd boy, but, on the con-
tray, very selfish and disposed to mure
rather than do good to others
80 dear How wonderful wise YOU are
And no doubt YOU can tell how many moons
Jupiter has Come lets heart!
Jupiter has four moons James answer
ed, with something of exuIta,ion in his
tones.
And no doubt you can tell how many
rings it has 2
Jupiter has no rings. Saturn has rings,
and Jupiter belts, James replied, in dec-
sive tone.
For moment or two. Hartman was ST.
lent with surprise and modification, to think
~ '"'"' "P|''h'l't, WHOM hc esteemed
co far below him, should be possessed of
knowledge equal to his on the points in re-
hcrence to which he had chosen to question
him: and that he should be able to convict
HIM OF an error into which he had purposely
fallen.
Il should like to know how long is i, since
you became so wonderful wise 2 IIarman
at length said, with sneer.
Not very long James replied calmly
| have been reading one of your books ON
astronomy
Well, you're not going to have my book,
mister, ! can tell you! An, how, | should
ike to know what business you have TO
touch one OF theml Let me catch YOU AT
i, again, and see i'll don't cuff YOU soundI, !
You'd better great deal, be minding your
work.
But didn't neglect my work, Harman.
J read at night, after | was done my work.
And didn't hurt your book
81 don't care if you didn't hurt it. You're
not going to have my books, Can tell you.
80 do just let them alone
Poor James heart sank in his bosom. AT
this unexpected obstacle thrown so suddenly
in his way. He had no money of his own
to buy, and knew Of no one from whom ne