Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-05-13

am little Hitty. So puttinsdown the Bible, j
she ran to meet them, happ, confiding, and q
even glad they had COM; and without
waiting for them TO speak, Sc called to them
to come in with her, and sad, {" am alone;
if mother was here, she wud do more for I
you, but l will do all | cn-and all this !
with frank, loving heart, cad to do good to
others, and glad to please hr father. whose
last words were,-not to spre of his abund-
ance to the weary traveller
Smith and his companies entered. Now
it was neither breakfast nodinnor time, but
about half way between both; yet little
Hitty's head was full of the rections-sparc
not Of our abundance; ah almost before
they were fairly in the hose, she asked IT
she should get them something to cat. Smith
replied, Eyes, will thar you, my child,
for we are all hungry" This was a civil
speech Tor the thief, who, lalf-starved, had
been lurking in the wods to watch his
chance TO steal the silver tukard as soon as
the men folks had gone TO Meeting. "Shall
give you some cold vicuals, or will you
wait until l can cook some meat - asked
Kitty. "Wo can't wat" he replied
give what you have read, as soon as you
cam" g. am glad you 1on't want me to
cook for you,-but woult if you did,-be-
cause father would rattle not have much
cooking on Sundays" Then away she
trpped about, making preparation for their
repast. Smith himself hoped her out with
the table. She spread upm it clean white
table CLOTH, and placed Upon it the silver
tankard, full of the old orc'ard, with large
quantity Of wheaton breal, and dish of
cold meat. | do not know why the silver
spoons were put on; perhaps little Iiitty
thought they would MAKE the table look
preltier. After all was dine, she turned to
Smith, and with courtey told him dinner
was ready.
The child had been so lusy arranging her
table, and so thoughtful If her housewifery,
that she took little or NJ notice of the APP
pearance of her guests. She did the work
as chcerfuly and freely, and was as uncm-
barrassed as if she had been surrounded by
her father and mother, and brothers. One
of the thieves sat doggcily with his knees
and face down almost to his hands, looking
all the time on the floor. Another, younger
and better looking man, stood confused and
irrcsoute, as if he had MT been well broken
to his trade, and would often 60 to the win.
dow and look out, keeping his back on the
child. Smith, on the dher hand, looked
unconcerned, as if he has quite forgotten hi.
purpose. He never one took his attention
off of the child, following her with his eye.
as she hustled about in arranging the table
there was even hIlf "A smile on his face.
They all moved to the table, Smith,
chair at the head, one ofhis companions OF
each side, the child at the foot, standing Their,
to help her guests, and 10 be ready TO 60 70
further supplies as there was need.
The men ate as hungry men, almost il
silence; drinking occasionally from the sill
yer tankard. When they had done, SmitI
started up suddenly and said" Come, let
CO." What,' exclaimed the old robbcr
"with empty hands, when this silver
hcre!' lie seized the tankard. "Put tina
down." shouted Smith; "I'll shoot the ma
who takes a single thing from this house.
Poor llltty, at once awakened to sense G
the character of her guests, with terror in he
face, and yet with child-lke frankncs.
she ran to Smith, took hold of his hand, an
looked into his face as if she felt sure h
would take care of her.
The old thief, looking TO his young CON
panion, and finding that he was ready to civ
up the job, and seeing that Smith was resc
) lutte, put down the tankard, growing like
dog which had bone taken from him.
"Fool! catch me in your company again.
and with such expressions left the house, 70
, lowed by the other. Smith, putting his har
: on the head of the child, said, -" Don't |
afraid-stay quiet in the house, nobody sha
hurt you" Thus ended the visit of Il
thieves; thus God preserved the property
those who had their trust in him. What h;
: the child TO tell when the family came home
I How hearty was the thanksgiving that we
n up that evening from the family altar!
] A year or two after this, poor Tom Smi
was arrested for the commission of son
n crime, was tried and condemned to be e
= ecuted. Daniel Gordon heard of this, al
e that he was confined in Jail in the. seapc
j, town to wait for the dreadful day when
It was to be hung up as dog between heav'
S and earth. Gordon could not keep aw;
n from HIM; he felt drawn towards the pr
II ,ector of his daughter, and went down to S
him. When he entered the dungeon, Smi
d was seated 1; his face was pale, and his hi
d tangled togethcr-ior why should ho ca
It for his looks There was no other EXPIRE
RI sion in his countenance than that of irritati
y from being intruded upon, when he want
to hear nothing, and see nothing more of
= brother man. lie did not even look up, n
d return the salutation of Gordon, who CO
IS tinued to stand before him. At last, as
C wearied beyond endurance, he asked,
"What do you want Of me? Can't you
l. me alone even here! :"
IT Il come, '.said Gordon to see you, becau
e my daughter told me all you did for Il
70 when you-
ID AS # touched to the heart, Smiths who
1t appearance changed. an expression of de
s interest came over his features, he was alt
10 gether another man. The sulen indiflt
N ence passed away in an instant. Are y
&c the father of that little girl? o wha
% dear child she is! Is she well and happ
TO How love to think OF her That's one pie;
V, ant thing to think Of For once | was treat
Ir ILL ,,hnr man CnuIH | Lie, bor anna