The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-05-31

have visit have got nothing in my. house 10
bring them there, but they maysbelaher the silver
tankard ,neghbor, and silver spoons. have often
told you that such things not fit for these
parts. Tom is bold fellow but suppose tho few
err he meets when he goes to steal, tho better. l
don't think it safe for you all to 60 to meeting
daY-but am in great 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 at home but Mehtable "A beau
titul little girl nine years old. "Shall stay or goa"
was the question. Daniel was a Puritan he had
strict notions of The duty OF worsbippng God in his
holy temple. and he had faith tina. God blessed
him only as he did his duty but then he was
father and little HItty the light and Joy of his
eyes.
But these PurItans were stern and unfnching.
He settled the point. al won't even take Kitty
with me, for 1t will make her cowardIy. Tho
thieves may not come-noighbor Perkins may be
mistaken; and f they do come to my house they
will not hurt the child. AT any rate, she is in
Gods hands, and we will go to worship Him who
never forsakes those who put their trust in HIM."
As he settled this, the girl and the mother came
out; the mother stepped into the chaise the faith
after her. saying TO the child, eff any Strangers
our abundance to the poor. What is silver or gold
when we think Of Gods holy word?" With these
words on his lips he drove off, troubled man in
| spite of his religious trust because ho had leh his
daughter alone.
Little Hitty, as the daughter the Puritan was
called WINS strictly brought up 10 observe the Lords
day. She knew that she ought 10 return to the
house; but nature this once, got the better of her
! tptn NJ har,a ~ r. r.. a.
brood OF chickens, Nor did she, when she Trad
given them water, 60 into the house, but loitersd
and fingered, hearing the robin sing and following
with her eye the bobo lincoln she fitted from
shrub to shrub. She passed almost an hour out of
the house, because she did not want to be alone
and she did not feel alone when she was out
among the birds, and gathering here and there
wild flower; but at last she went in took the Bible
and seated herself at the window, sometimes iead
ing, sometimes looking out.
| AS she was there seated, she saw three men
coming up towards the house, and she was RICH,
glad to see them, she felt lonely and there was
dreary long day before her. Father, thought she,
meant something, when he told me to be kind 10
strangers. suppose he expected them /; l wonder
VIVA, kept them all from meeting. Never mind
they shall see can do something for them il am
little Htty. So putting down the Bible, she ran
to meet them, happy, confdng, and even glad
they had come; and without waiting for them to
speak, she called to them 10 come in with her, and
said, 81 am alone; if mother here, she would
do more for you, but will do what can-and all
this with frank, loving heart, glad to do good 10
others, and glad to please her father, whose last
words were,-not 10 spare of his abundanca TO the
weary traveller.
| Smith and his companions entered Now il was
neither breakfast or dinner time, but about half
way between both; yet little Hittys head was full
of the drections-spare not of our abund nee; and
almost before they were fairly in the house, she
asked if she should get them something 10 emf
Smith replied, Eyes, will thank you, my child,
for we are all hungry" This was civil speech
for the thief, who, haf-starved, had been lurking
in the woods to watch his chance to steal the sill
yer tankard as soon as the men folks had gone to
| meeting. "ShaIl give you some cold yctuaIs, or
will you wait until can cook some meatr" asked
Hitty. owe can't wait" he replied; egive what
you have ready, as soon you can" ssl am glad
you don't want me to cook for you,-but I would
if you id,-because father would rather not have
much cooking done on Sundays" Then away
| she trpped about ,makng PREPARATION for their re-
past. Smith himself helped her out with the table.
She spread upon it clean white table cloth and
placed upon it the silver tankard, full Of the old or
chard, with large quantity of wheaton bread, and
| dish of cold meat. do not know why the sill
! yer spoons were put on; perhaps little Hntv
thought they would make the table look prettier--
After all was done, she turned to Smith, and with
| a courtesy told him dinner ready
| The child had been SO busy arranging her table,
and thoughtful of her house wiery that she took
little notice of the appearance of her
H. ID ,ho r., 4 r..
and unembarrassed as if she had been sur
rounded by her father and mother, and brothers -
One ofthe thieves sat doggediy with his kuoes and
face down almost to his hands, looking at tho
same time on the aoor. Another, younger and
better looking man, stood confused and irresoluto,
as if he had not been we'll broken to his trade and
would often go TO the window and look out, keep
ing his back to the child. Smith,, on tho other
hand, looked unconcerned, as If he had quite for
gotten his purpose. He once took his atten
lions off of the child, following her with his eyes
-t.. AZ