The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-09-10
MlSDLA!LIh.AN NLaOUSo
TIE SILVER TANKART.

On slope oil land opening llset 10 me
SOUTH in a new settled town, in the State
of Maine, some hundred or more years ago,
stood farm house, to which the epthet of
comfortable nigh, be applied. The old
forest came down to the back of it; and in
from, were cultivated fields, beyond which
was ground partially cleared, full of pine
slumps, and there, standing erect, the gan,
Trunks of The trees which the fire had
scorched and blackened. lho' it had failed
to overthrow ,hem.-The house stood at
the very verge of the settlement, so tina,
from il no other cottage was seen."the
nearest neghbor was distant about six
miles. Dan'l Gordon, the owner and
occupant of the premises we rave described
had chosen this valley in the wilderness,
wide rich tract of land not only as his own
home of his chllIren and chidren's children
He was willing to be far off from men,
that his children might have room to settle
around him. He was looked upon as the
rich man OF that district, and was known
over tha. par, of The country. His house
completely finished, and was large for the
times, having two stories in front, and one
behind, with long sl,pihg roof. Ii seem.
ed as if il leaned to the south, as if 10 offer
lis back to Ihe could winds Of the northern
mountains. Ii was full OF the comforts of
de-- the furniture ever a itIle 'sh0wey,'
for Puri,an, and when The table was Sc!
there was 10 use a ankee phrase, 'consi'
deTable.' silver plate, among which large
lankard stood pre-eminent. The silver had
been the properly of his father, and was
hrnuuht from, ti,a v,nihpr cnt,ptry
Now we will go back to this pleasant
valley, as it was on brigh. and beautiful
morning in the month of June. 1t was
Sunday; and though early, the two sons ol
Daniel Gordon and The hired man had gone
10 meeting on foot. down to the Handing, a
lille village on the banks Of the river, ten
miles distant. Daniel himself was stand
ing at the doors, with the horse and chaise
ready and waiting for his good wife, who
had been somewhat detained. He was
Standing al the door step, enjoying the
the freshness Of The morning, with a little
pride In his heart, as he cast his eye over
the exten, of his possessions spread before
him. At this instant, neighbor OF SIX
miles disli nee, rode up on horseback, and
beckoned TO him from The gale at the en-
closure round thehouse.
Good morning, neighbor Gordon, said
he. i have come out OF way IN going 10
meeting, to tell you that Tom Smith
tha, daring ,hief-wth two others, have
been seen proving about in these paris;
and that you had better look out lest ye
have visit. haze got nothing in my
house to bring them lhereb but they may
be after the silver tankard neighbor,and the
silver spoons. have often said these
thing were not fit for these paris. Tom is
a bold fellow, but suppose the fewer he
meets when ne goes to steal the better.
don't think il is safe for you all to be off to
meeting 10 day, but am in hurry neigh
Dor, so good bye
This communication placed our friend
Daniel n an unpleasan dilemma. 1t had
been settled that no one was 10 be lell al
home but his daughter Mehitable, beau!l'
I'll little girl abou, nine years old. Shall
stay or not was the question --Daniel was
Puritan; he had strict notions of, The duty
but then lie was falher; and little llIlty
was tue light and Joy of his eyes.
Bnt these Purltans were s'eTn and un
hInching. He soon settled the poiat. 4
Wontereu Hiuy with .me;ior'twIll make
Vowardly,-~w thieves may not GONE
20 my house. they will not hurI thai enid
AZ any rate she is in Gods hands, ant
wiil go TO worship Hin who never for
saSes those who put thcir trust in him.
AS he settled Ibis, the lllle glr aud be