The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-09-12
Vol. 7. No, 7. Whole No. 3l9.

Grafton which was likely ensue. lie had seen
female delicacy outraged by the bockguard and 'the
hoary head" which in that section Of the country
was ga crown Of glory" insued by his indeicate
eering and the funeral train Of one much respec-
ted-the wife, too, Of the very who had threat
ened TO punish his impietes, would be opportuni-
~ 10 display his contempt for the deccncy Of society,
and his revenge for Wholesome udmonton too good,
too raro 10 be ncglected--Ils voice was heard at
distance shouting to his cattle, aid the wind bore
towards the several ofthe wretrhe's ravorte
b'asphemies, ard gave sickening retaste of what
was to shock their (eelings
At length the head Of e funeral poposte the
team, and the mourner had trembled at the thougM
of the Outrage to which his feelings had been subjec-
ted. lie would have stepped forward, and besought
the teamster TO spare him. but if uge and station had
been power!css, what could child do' and he turn
ed his fearful eye upon the offensive man, and moved
onward with his fellow mourners.
The noisy driver stepped rapidly forward, and
stopped his cattle without utering word. Then
moving slowly backwards the wagon, he turned him
self towards the funeral ,rain shifted his whip 10 his
left hand, barred his head, and stood half bowed in
respectful silence until the whole procession had
moved past; then slowly covering HIMSELF he silently
! business
The feelings Of the boy at that moment cannot be
described, but he made, as nm offering to tho
names Of the beloved dead solemn vow that lie
would should circumstances ever warrant the act,
| repay that for his timely remembrance OF
the virtues of the Departed and the grief of the
ners:
But the boy was not likely to find the opportunity
found residence hundreds of miles from the fixed
home of the man.
Thirty years after that event, he who in boyhood
had registered the under such circumstances
was in the city of Boston visit; and willing to
compare the appliances Of the government Of that
city with those of southern metropolis. with which
he was connected, no took his seat morning in
the police Court, One person, about fifty years of age
had, ut his request, his postponed until oil of his
fellow offenders should be dealt with.
''Whnt is your namei' said tho magistrate
"Johnson, sir; James Johnson is the name by
which shall go to day.
''You are ciarg ed continued the magistrate
with very rotous conduct. resulting in destruction
of property TO the amount of five dollars. What havo
you to say for yourself, James?
Notwithstanding at all; bat that having lived
life ofwrechcd dissipation, making miserable my
relatives, and especially my neighbors, came into
the city yesterday, and acquaintance led mo
off, - .a .
"You will be fned,'' said the magistrate ssonly
two dollars, and stand committed until that and the
five dollars injury paid'' -..
Johnson had seven dolars--and he took his
handkerchief from his hat, at his side and wiped tho
thick perspiraton from his forehead.
The stranger from the south looked into his hat,
he leaned the railing, and saw wriltenss IIp-
mer -" The first was unusual mime, and
the whole was that of the noisy Leaning
forward, he whispered into the OF the prisoner
the inquiry whether he was from D----?
The man started, but seeing only stranger, he
said che had lived there once.'' .. -....
"Then,' said the other, there are seven dollars to
pay the magistrate
The man paid the Clerk, and met his friend at the
door.
"You were trusted with money when you came to
the city?''
"Yes, but have lost it and with it | lost all
Nine out of ten sneered n, my professions of REFORM
and the tenth who trusted me and has been deceived,
will be my emy.'
''Eow much is the deficiency"
eft is doiars,a sum wholly beyond my means.
am as efectual destroy me if it were thousands.
My wife and my children, too, who had begun to
rise in the community by my proprie:cs-rhey must
fall and am douby lost"
"There arc - dollars" said the stranger
''Your name is not James Johnson, though there
scarcely needs an apology f,r oaling your real
name'' i' j' af" ;.- ..an.
'But who are you that thus rescues stranger
from DISTRESS and permits him to continue to hope for
respect?"s r7 '9.re' ~-E
''Do you remember the funeral of Mrs. -, in
K, thirty years ago, when you paused to let the
train of nourners pass, with unwonted evidences OF
respect"
81 scarcely remember that, but never did my folly
beray into dsresPcc in the presence of funeral.
That the last spark in the ashes Of my homefy
virtues. 1t was never quenched, audit was at the
grave Of friend that that spark kndIed anew the
fame Of propiety in me, and led to those good re-
solves which last night broke"
81, is that particular act, my frend,'' said the
stranger, "which after years am enabled to no.
80