The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-08-23

felt as though she should be glad TO be away from
Them all,when sho heard their sly inuendocs about
bush wackers.' Still sho remal ned unshalcn.-
II is but for one year, said she to herself, and the
time and money my father thought lxshou'd
spend 10 folly, shall be devoted TO beiter pur>
pose,
CHAPTER
AT the close Of pleasant April day. MIR Atkins
sat at his kitchen Preside with Charley upon his
knees. Wife, said he to Mrs Atkins, who was
busy preparing the evening meal lis it not a year
since Abby left home-2
Why, husband Jet me think ! always clssn up
the house thoroughly just before fast day, .snd
had not done it when Abby went away -
remember speaking to her about it, and telling
her that it was wrong to leave such n busy
time, and she said mother will he at home To
do it all next year Yes it is a year, and
should not be surprised if she should come this
week.
perhaps she will not come at ALL said Mr.. At>
kns with gloomy look, she has written but
few letters and they have been very short and
satisfactory. | suppose she has sense enough 10
know that no news shelter than bad news, and
having nothing pleasant to tell abou; herself she
thinks she will tell us moth ng at all. But If 4 CIV
err get her at home again, will keep her here,
assure you, her first year in Lowell shall also be
her last
Husband, told you my fears, and if You had
set up your authority, Abby would have been
obliged TO stay at home. but perhaps she is doing
pretty WE'LL You know she is not accustomed to
writing, and that may account for the few and
short letters we have received, but they have all
even the shortest, contained the assurance that she
would be al home at the close of the year.
PA, the stage has stopped here, said little Char
10y 4, as he bounded from his fathers knee. The
next moment the room rang with the shouts of
Abby has come Abby has Gomez In few mo
ments more, she was in the midst of the joyful
throng Her father pressed her hand silence,
and tears gushed from her mothers eyes. Her
brothers and sisters were clamorous with delight
all but little Charley, to whom Abby
ger, and who repealed with terror all her overtures
for better acquaintance. Her parents gazed up
on her speechless, for they felt that change for
the better had taken place in their once hayward
girl. Yes, there she stood before them, little tai.
Ter and thinner, aId when the fusl Of emotion
had faded away, perhaps little paer and then
the em tie of health and innocence playing
around her rosy lips Sho carefully laid aside her
straw bonnet, nth its plain trimming Of light blue
ribbon, and her dark merino dress showed TO the
best advantage her neat and symmetrical FORM
There more decacy of personal appearance
than when she left them. and also moro sofiness
of manner, for constant collision with SO many fe
males had worn off the little asperi,ies which
marked her conduct while at home.
Well, Abby, how many silk gowns have you
got ? said her father, as she opened large new
trunk. '.Not one, father, said she; and she 6xed
her dark eyes upon him with an expression that
told all. But here are some little books for the
children, and n new calico dress for mother and
here is n nice black silk handkerchief for you 20
wear around your neck on Sunday accept it dear
father, for it is your daughters fist gift
'You he'd better have bought pair of spectacles,
for am cannot any thing Thore we're
tears in the rough farmers eyes, but no tried to
laugh and joke that they might not be perceived
But what did you do with all your money?
Il thought had better leave it there, SAID Abby +,
nd she placed her bank book in her fathers hand
Mr. Akin S looked nome nt, and the forced smile
faded away. The surprise had been too great and
tears fell fast from the father's eyes.
% cit is but lite, said Abby.
But it was all you could save, replied her faith
err, sand am proud Of you, bly,, yes, proud thai
am the father of such girl. 1t is not this paltry
sum which pIeases me much, but the prudence,
self command and real affection for u.s. which you
have displayed. But it not sometimes hard
to resist temptation.
sYes, father,you never know how hard but
il was the thought of this nigh! which sustained
me through il all. knew how you would smile,
and what my mother would say and feel; and tho
there have been moments, yes, hours, that have
been to me wretched enough, yet this one evening
will reply for all. There is but one thing now to
mar my happiness, and that Is the thought thai
this little fellow has quite forgotten me-, and she
drew Charley to her side But the new picture
book had already effected wonders, and in few
moments, he was in her lap with his arms around
her neck and his mother could not persuade him
to retire shat night until he had given hs'sisler Alb
by hundred kisses,
Father said Abby, she arose to retire, when
the tall clock struck eleven, may not sometime
90 back to Lowell? / should like 10 add little 10
the sum in the bank, and should be g'ad o: one
silk gown
Il a nv nh