The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-07-18

your clothes on the bed, and keep her warm
Mary went into the little dark chamber to bed with
her sister, and her mother tried to hush the CRYING
infant. 'e
David was distracted. He was cold hungry yvea-
ry, and in gloom. Eight children, whom he loved,
were about him, but he thought of them only as born
to poverty, uneasiness, and care like himseE-he felt
unhappy, and grew almost angry as the baby contn-
ned to cry.
Cheer up, David, honest man! there is that COM
ing even homecoming within three streets length of
thee-which will raise thee above want forever!-
Cheer up!-this is the last hour any of you shall want
for fire; the last hour you shall want for candle light
Thou shalt keep thy squirrel, Mary! Bessy, thou
shalt have blankets TO warm thee! The Doctors bill
shall be paid-nor Baird, shalt thou ever skulk by
backways to work TO avoid an importunate creditor
joey thou shalt turn the wheel no longer-thy feet
shall get well in wooden stockings, and warm shoes
at five shillings pair! You shall no more want salt
to your potatoes shall Susan again go short of
her supper! But of this all this, yet, you know
nothing about the reef-and such splendid relief too
that even now is approaching your door! WALL lit
tie baby, an thou wi-nurse thy poor tngIing feet
Joey, by the fire. and muse in sadness on thy power
ty, David Baird, yet for few moments longer can
do you no harm, for the good is even now turn
ing the corner your street.!
Knock, knock, knock! David started from his rev.
erie.
Some one is at the door said the wife and up
jumped little David. Ifit is neighbor Wood come
to borrow some meal you can get her a cup-full, ,
added the mother, as the knock was repeated more
hastily.
Up rose David Baird, and thinking of the apotheca-
RVS bill, opened the door reluctantly.
Are you David Baird ''asked the letter carrier who
had knocked
Il am said David.
'This, then, is for you; and there are twenty-five
pence TO pay on it, said the man, holding forth
large letter.
what is David Baird summoned p and she rushed to
the door with the babe in her arms
st is not for me- said David, half glad to escape
his liability to pay the two-and twenty pence.
'But are you not David Baird, the weaver?'
Il am said David
'Then, continued the letter carrier, pay me the
twentytwopence, and If ii is right, they will re-
turn you the money at the post Office
Twenty two-pence!' repeated David, ashamed to
confess his poverty.
'One shilling ten pence! said the wife; I'VE have
not so much money by us, good man.
Light candle,' said the letter CARRIER bursting in
to the house, 'and hunt up what you have'
David was pushed to extremity, 'We have
none,' said he; I'VE have not money TO buy can
dle!'
Lord bless me!' said the letter carrier, and gave
David the younger four pence TO fetch half pound
of candles. David and his wife knew not what to
think; and the letter shook the from his hat
In a few moments the candles came, and the letter
was put into Davids hands
'Open it, cant you p said the letter man.
SIS it for me p enqured David again.
1T is replied the other impatiently,- fuss is
here about opening letter.
what is this!' exclaimed David, taking out bill
for one hundred pounds
O sighed the wife, if after all it should not be for
u.s. But read the letter, David; and David read it.
SIR,
sYou, David Baird, weaver, Of, and son of
the late David Baird of Marden- Wear, lneal de-
scendent of Sir David Baird Monkshaughton Castle,
county of York, and sole heir of Sir Peter Baird, Of
Monkshaughton aforesaid, lately deceased,
quested to meet Mr. Dennis, solicitor, at York,
after the receipt of this possible. 1t will be
necessary for you to bring your family with you; and
to cover travelling and other expenses you will re-
at sight:
Il have the homer to be.
'Sir, your humble servant,
y. Smith, for Mr.. DENNIS"
Sure enough said David, David Baird Of Mar
den on Wear, was my father"
%, o, or chucked our little David las he hoped
about behind the group, "a hundred pounds and
castep
sHeaven be prasedr CALCULATED the wife, while
she Rugged the baby in her
sAnd,' continued David ,sthe great Sir David Baird
ancestor, yet never looked for any thing
from that quarter.
Then the letter isfor you p asked the man.
st is. Please Heaven to make US thankful for it,
said David seriously; 'bu,' hesitated he, you want
the money!
No, said the letter carrier, going out, I'll call for
that to morrow
Bolt the door after the man, this money requires
safe keeping
Mend the fire!' said the mother: and her son Da-
vd put on a shovel-full Of coal, and stirred up the
ashes.
'Kissme, my children' exclaimed the father Wit