The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-06-07

so unvarylne IN their early attendance because L
was never disappointed in he forms which FIRST
emerged from the pine trees upon the hill, that j
gave them the name OF ''the first bells" w.
Why they went thus regularly bnow not but
think it probable they wished for time to rest after
their long walk, and then to prepare their hearts to
join in exercises which evidently more valu
ed by them, than by most of those around them =
Yet ii must have been a deep interest which
brought so large congregation from the scattering
houses, and many fthe far off dwellings Of our
thinly inhabited town .- I.s
And every face was then familiar TO me. KNEW
each white headed Patriarch who took his seat by
the door of his pew, and every aged woman who
seated herself in the low chair in the middle OF il
and the countenances Of the middle aged and the
young, were rendered familiar by the exchange of
Sabbath glances, as we met, year fer year in that
humble temple.
But did | look with more interest than
upon 'Thc first bells" There they always were
when took my accustomed pace-there upon the
free seat at The right hand of the pulpit. Their
heads always bowed in meditation I'LL they
arose to join the morning prayer and when the
choir sent forth their strain of praise, they drew
to each other, and looked upon the same
book, as they silently forth the spirits
song to their Father in heaven. There was an ex-
preston Of meekness, Of calm, and perfect faith az
of subdued sorrow, upon the countenances of both,
which won my reverence, and excited my culiosi
ty TO know more OF them. t.-.
They were poor. / knew it by the coarse and
much worn garments which they always wore
but could not conjecture why they avoided the
society and sympathy of all around them. They
always waited for our pastors greeting when he
descended from the pulpit, and meekly bowed TO
all but farther Than this their intercourse extended
not 1t appeared 10 that heavy trial,
which had knit their own hearts closely
getherand endeared to them their faith, and its re,
gous observances had also rendered them unusual
ly sensitive to the careless remarks and curious in
quries ofa country neighborhood.
One Sabbath, our pastor preached upon patorRal
love. flis text was that affecting ejaculation of
David, so Absolom,my son, my son y lie spoke
of the depth and forvor of that affection, which in
a parental heart will remain unchanged and unaha
ted through years of sin, arrangement and rebel
lion. He r.,ivo IF rtu rechtess Observation-Disclosures,
which often sends paug after pang through the pa
rents breast ; and OF wicked deeds which some
times bring their grey hairs with 10 the
grave. | heard s,led sobs and looking up, saw
that The old man and woman at the right hand of
the pulpit, had their fac les in their hands. They
were trembling with agitation, and l that
fount of deep aud painful remembrance had beon
opened. They soon regained their usual calmness;
but thought their steps slow, and their
countenances more sorrowfIl tha: day, q when, az
morning service had closed theyweut to the
grave in the corner OF the Church yard. There was
stone 10 mark il, but their feet had been wear
ing for many Sabbath noon, the little path that
lead 10 it,
went that night 10 my mother, and asked her
il she could not tell mo something about "the first
BELLS She child me for the phraze by which
wont to designate them but said that her
knowledge oftheir former life was very much linn
tied. Several years before, she added, man was
murdered in hot blood in distant town, by per.
named John l.. Tho murderer tried and
hung; and not long after, this old man and woman
and hired the little cottage upon Pine hill
Their names were the same that the murderer bore
an their looks of sadness, and retired manners,
had led to the conclusion that they were his pa
rents. No one knew that It was so-lor they shrunk
from all inquiries, and never adverted to the past
but gentle and sad looking girl, who hud accom-
panied them to their place OF abode, had pinned
away and died within the first year of their arri-
val. She was their daughter, and was Supposed to
had heen hung She buried in the corner Of the
church yard and every pleasant Sabbath noon her
aged parents had mourned together over her lowly
grave. .,s ID
''And my daughter said my moher,n con
clusion s'respect their years, their sorrows, and
above ALL the deep, fervent rety, which cheers IL
sustaius them, and which has been nurtured by ag
onies and waered by tears, such as hope my
child will never know" ~ait tts.erI2
NV mother drew me 10 her side, and kissed me
tender,y and resolved that never again would j,
in spirit of ievty, call Mr. and Mrs. l.. sihe first
bells,' hra .l .fH.gs1
Years passed ON and through summers sunshine
and its showers, and through winters cold, and
frost, and that old couple still went their
never falling Sabbath pilgrimage. can them
even now, they looked m days gone by. The
old man, with his loose, black Quaker coat, and
low crowned, much worn hat, his heavy cow.hdc
boots and coarse blue miitens and his partner
walking slowly by his side,wearinga scanty brown
Ia r., ltttlo a,nA ell