Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-04-28

and pantry do wonders. Why, friend, saw
a man, who should be better Judge of the
value of such articles, buy an iron pot, with
crack across the bottom, for as much as il
cost new. So cheer up, and set one thing
against another
The auction at last closed. The nom
bidders we're dissatisfied with their over.cau-
ton, and the purchasers went away, rejoic-
ing in their bargains. The more unproita-
bly, they had laid out their money, the great
er boast they made Of their own sagacity.-
Mrs. Harden and her sons sat down to rest
themselves in one of the unfinished rooms,
TO partake Of some ham sandwiches, which
the good Quaker had provided before they
babe adieu for ever to the home of years.
Nothing of their former grandeur now re-
manned 10 console them, but the large mir
ror, (which sill hung suspended from the
wall, rejecting soiled clothes and careworn
visages,) and the drawing room carpet, which
rolled up at the end of the room, afforded
them a seat.
The change seemed to strike painfully on
every heart. The widow wept and The
boys, though really hungry, scarcely tasted
the food in the basket at their feet. Robert
was the first 10 break silence:
well, dear mother, it's all over with now
he said, affectionately kissing her pale cheek.
: For your sake, am glad that it is over
While we continued 10 live in this fine house,
we could never convince ourselves that il
had ceased to belong 10 US, and that we were
poor and destitute. We know it now, and
my mind is braced to bear it. The only
thing which remains to trouble US is this
large mirror. | almost wish it had been sold
with the rest
And So do L. said William; but tits a
whim of mammals, and we must try to please
her. Mr.. Sylvester has sent large case TO
pack it up in. You will find it in the mex,
ROOM
well, boys, you laugh at my venture,
said Mrs. Harden, but trust, with the bles-
sing of God, it may be the means of obtain
ing for US the necessities of life in the strange
land in which we are destined to sojourn.'
I'VE will be very careful in packing it up
them said William, with sly glance at his
brother; for you seem, mamma, to think
that il contains as many magical properties
as Aladin's far-famcd lamp
We will wrap it up in the carpet first; il
will protect it from injury returned Robert
springing to the task.
1t took the mother and sons about an hour
to pack up the beautiful mirror to their owr
satisfaction, and when this important aflai
was adjusted to their mutual liking, it wa.
carefully deposited in the hand barro " (which
the old Quaker had provided for the occa.
sion. and, after many fears for its safety ,ant
much fussing, conveyed to uncle William!
lodgings. preparatory TO being sent on ship
board.
Uncle William was not bad man, nor ;
hard-hearted man, but he was common
place matter of fact man of business, and o
the world. He was never known to do ;
wilfully unkind action; buth never attempts
ed 10 put himself out of the way to do kint
one. He was blunt man that is, a maj
who loved contradiction for its own dea
sake; who said and did rude things, to show
his own superior wit and sagacity, wi,hou
rejecting what the effect might be whicl
such conduct generally produces upon others
Blunt people are always great cyclists, ant
not always sincere. Their aim is to appea
clever at the expense of their neighbors s.
and the wanton disregard which they SHOW
for wounding their feelings, betrays the sci
fshness and insensibily oftheir own.
swell, Anre,' SAID Mr.. William Harden
} regarding the huge package which containe'
the poor widows worldly treasures. with NJ
very friendly eye, that's what call use
less package. You had better have sold
at the auction, and laid the money out il
necessary articles for yourself and the lads
than encountered US with it on the voyage
, But silly women are hard to be persuaded
am very sure that it will be smashed to pic
: ces in the hold Of the ship
mot bit of it, uncle said his namesake
William. 1t is we'll packed, assure you
well, we shall see,' said Mr.. Harder
who is the true prophet and secretly in hi
, heart he wished it might be broken, that hi
words might prove true not that he real
wished any i'll 10 befall his poor widowed sis
> ter, but because he had said that it would b
: sI and his sagacity and powers Of forethougl
were involved in the fulfment of the pre-
diction.
The mirror was safely got on board, an
! the emigrants, after bre ing their last sigh
. and prayers for the dear land they were lea,
= ing, found themselves one morning steerln
their course across the wide Atlantic, unde
+, full sail, and driven onward by a spankin
= breeze.
CHAPTER THIRD.